How was your first week of 2023? Mine was both a mental and physical transition from last year into this new one. In the quiet moments, I reflected on what did and did not happen in 2022, but also what I made happen and did not make happen. Food for thought and fuel to do more, see more, be more in the 365 days ahead.
I bought this gingham dress late in the summer and promptly hung it in my closet, never to be worn. Until a few weeks ago when instead of the chilly temps you’d expect, we were experiencing one warm sunny day after the other. Of course, temps have dipped significantly since then, but with a few tweaks I think this dress can weather the change of season and become a wardrobe staple all year long.
For the last 18+ months our world has been anything but ordinary. In many respects, it’s been terrifying. But as COVID vaccines and breakthrough treatments rolled out and infection rates fell, it did feel like we could finally breathe a collective sigh of relief. With Thanksgiving around the corner and Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa coming up, I want to celebrate with family and friends. In person, not virtually. And I’m sure you do, too. So unless we are forced into lockdown, I’m not going to panic, I’m going to mask up, and I’m going to do whatever I can to find my balance throughout whatever comes our way.
Did it feel weird when you first returned to a more “normal” workout routine post COVID? It did for me. With the gym in our building closed for months during the pandemic, I definitely had to get creative about staying in shape — both mentally and physically. Going up and down the fire staircase (7 flights x 10 times) definitely proved aerobic, especially on bitter cold days. I also enjoyed bundling up for a long, waterfront walking loop around JC. With no free weights in our apartment or even available to order (did you try???), I took advantage of using the ones in our garage upstate whenever I could. We also have an Ergometer (rowing machine), and 25-40 minutes on that was a whole body challenge. As much as I wanted to try to consistently maintain my best weight, best fitness, best energy levels, working out also kept my brain clearer, my mood less dark too.
Forget the “fashion rule” that says pastels are only for Summer. There’s no easier or better way to lighten your Fall/Winter wardrobe — or your mood — than by adding a dash of these delicate hues. My suggestion? Every now and then switch up the deeper hues that most of us will reach for in the months ahead with a pale blue, pink or lavender. These pretty colors add a nice contrast when paired with always reliable black, too.