AD – This is a paid advertorial with Femme Luxe but all thoughts are my own
I’ve really loved writing about confidence in my previous collaborative posts with Femme Luxe but I feel like I’ve exhausted all ideas around the topic of confidence for the time being. Of course if anything else comes up I feel is worth sharing, I absolutely will in the future. But for the meantime, I wanted to move on to some different, personal growth style posts.
I think we’ve all had times where we’ve felt a little lost and unlike ourselves. I think a lot of people probably would have felt that at some point over the last 18 months of the pandemic. Nothing quite like a pandemic for shocking us out of our own skin.
I’ve definitely had those feelings before where I’m felt off, disconnected and completely unlike myself. It’s horrible and a really disconcerting feeling. I’ve even worried whether I’d ever feel like myself again.
Earlier this year, I went through quite a heavy bout of depression. I’d never suffered from depression before – even in the midst of my anxiety disorder. So these feelings were strange and out of place and really intense because it so wasn’t like me to be feeling them. But of course, depression doesn’t care who you are or what you’re like.
I still have days where I feel like that now but I’m learning how to manage it. Accepting that I probably do have depression is hard, too. I’ve always prided myself on how upbeat and positive I am and have been, despite my previous anxiety disorder.
Everyone is different and will feel off and unlike themselves for a different reason. But whatever the reason, here are 6 little things you can do to help you feel more like yourself. Whether that’s for 5 minutes or a day.
Plan out a day specifically for YOU
Book it in the diary. Note it in your planner. Stick it on the calendar and make sure you follow through with it! Plan out an entire day just for you. Full of all the things you love to do, eat, watch, read, play and more. Although this might only be a temporary fix, it’s a start to finding your way back.
Wear your favourite items of clothing – regardless of where you’re going
Certain items of clothing can really make us feel good about ourselves and more comfortable in our own skin. So if you’re not feeling like yourself, then maybe it’s time to dig those clothes back out again. I want to give a shout out to Femme Luxe and share a couple of new pieces from them.
The first piece I picked up with these White Wide Leg Elasticated Back Trousers. I absolutely loved these trousers from the second I took them out of the bag, they’re a really lovely material and look incredibly smart. They’re perfect for Summer too. Sadly, they didn’t fit me, so I had to give them to my Mum (who very kindly modelled for me!)
I picked up a size 14, which I knew was going to be touch and go for me but due to the elasticated back, I thought I might be able to get away with them but sadly they didn’t go over my bum. However my Mum, who’s usually a size 10 in everything she wears, also found them a bit snug around the waist. So just a heads up that these come up very small.
The next piece I picked was this dress. I love neutrals when it comes to dresses like white dresses and black dresses but you really can’t go amiss with a nice grey dress too. I feel like this Grey Lace Up Front Long Sleeve Rib Bodycon Mini Dress would look great in Winter, paired with tights, boots and a lovely coat. I really like the lace up detailing at the front.
And finally, I chose this Rose Slinky Halter Neck Ruched Tie Crop Top. This is my favourite of the three, for sure. I’ve got a couple of really cute tops from Femme Luxe before so I knew this would be a good addition to those. This top is really good and thick material, so I don’t personally need to wear a bra with this and I feel mega comfortable in it without one.
De-clutter your crap
Clutter builds up and doesn’t do ANYONE any good. Clothes, shoes, beauty products, old candles, notebooks – if you can name it, you can de-clutter it. There will likely be a ton of stuff that you have which is making you feel off. Clutter itself can do that. Not counting what’s IN the clutter. So get de-cluttering, my friend!
Nostalgia is your friend
Not so you can avoid the present and avoid tending to what’s going on but just as a gentle reminder of things that make you feel joy, love, gratitude and happiness. Old photos, old movies, even looking through your loft of all your old crap from childhood can really awaken what it means to feel like YOU.
Accept change
You might not feel like yourself right now because you’re holding onto things which are no longer you. Let that sink in for a second. Things change. People change. YOU WILL CHANGE. If you’ve not accepted that you’ve evolved then of course you’re not going to feel like yourself. If this is the case, then some inner work is definitely in order and you might want to consider a life coach.
Don’t neglect the basics
When you’re feeling off and not like yourself, self care can be hard. Instead of feeling like you need to jet off on holiday or book a spa weekend, ensure that you’re tending to the basics first. In this post about basic self care you shouldn’t overlook, you’ll find some super basic acts of self care which make the world of difference.
If you’ve not been feeling like yourself lately, I totally understand. And I hope these small and easy ways can help you find your way! If you have any extra tips, leave them in the comments!
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I love that halter and those earrings together. They make the perfect combination!
I felt like I could have written this post! I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression just before lockdown (how ironic) and I really struggled to feel like myself. I felt so disconnected and like I didn’t know how to be myself – I was trying so hard not to be anxious and depressed that I was making myself feel worse! These tips were so helpful and you look incredible 😍 Thank you for sharing!
J E M M A ♡ http://www.ohhjemma.com
Ah I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope you’re doing okay now and have found some coping tools and strategies to help you? x
Very good post and outfits. I feel that dressing up is one of the most important thing one needs in such a mood. Because if you don’t do, not only you loose confidence but you feel low in spirits. So this is a must. Xx
Isa A. Blogger
https://www.lifestyleprism.com/
Yoga on Sunday’s has really been helping my writer’s back and my lower back pain. It’s nice when I don’t have to think of impeding disease from sore muscles.
That’s good to hear! I love yoga for my lower back pain x
Love this! I’m taking this weekend to just focus on myself and my home so there’s going to be lots of cleaning, singing, organizing, candles, dancing around haha! Thanks for sharing, Jenny x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Sounds perfect!
I’ve been trying to plan my weeks so that Saturdays are a day where I can just rest and relax!
I do that too – no work on Sunday!
Love this. Decluttering and wearing my favourite dresses has always helped me feel better.. Thanks for this post. P.S. Lovely outfits! ^_^
Thank you. And that’s great to hear!
Really great tips!
Thank you!
I love the point about accepting that you have changed. Super important.
Thank you – agree.
Great advice and cute outfits! I love the idea of scheduling a day just for you! It’s a wonderful way to get back to feeling like yourself. Thanks for sharing!
It sure is! I want to do that soon!
Another great post! Decluttering and wearing what I love are always great ways to make me feel happy! Also neglecting the basics is something I do need to work on as I can be that busy looking after Leo I can forget to shower or eat!
Corinne x
Ah I mean, it’s understandable with a child! But even just something small is a great start 🙂 xx
Oh I completely feel you! It’s been an ongoing thing for. abit and even before the pandemic, so usually re reading a book, writing or looking through some old pictures gets me grounded. I reallu love how these pieces look, the grey dress is amazing x
Thank you lovely. Re reading my favourites really helps me too!
Having a big clear out and declutter really helps to reset my mind. I start with my list and choose a new room or draw I want to sort through.
Yes that’s what I do too! Clutter has a nasty habit of clouding the mind.
It’s beautiful, Jenny! Thank you 😊
Thank you 🙂
You are welcome!
My god, I relate to this. I’ve been working from home since long before the pandemic and worried that I wasn’t feeling like myself a lot back then just because I wasn’t making the same level of effort as I used to (and hanging with Hugo all day, I get worried about him snagging my favourite clothes) so I used to make a real effort to be me when I went out. Anywhere. But then we stopped going out and I felt that pang hard. Making an effort to dress up at home or plan my outfit just to go to the supermarket really helped me keep my sanity over the last 18 months x
Ah Sophie sorry to hear that. It’s amazing how quickly we can lose those habits when there’s something going on around us isn’t it. Glad you managed to keep that up and continue to feel like yourself even during the pandemic!
Aw I love this post Jenny! Sometimes I have to take a step back and think about what I’m doing and who I am, and these are some great ways to do that while staying happy and body confident. Thanks for sharing x
Yesss it’s so important to go inward and ask ourselves those important questions too!
Wearing my favourite outfit or perfume definitely helps me feel a little better! x
Easy trick but so effective!
Great ideas! I loved it! We should all make ourselves the first priority. You are right recalling old happy memories makes us feel better within moments. I also recently followed you other advice about wearing our favourite clothes no matter what the occasion is and it also lifts the mood instantly.
Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad to hear that!
I just love your blog because i really relate to it. thank you for your blog, its amazing!
Awh thank you!
Great post with some great tips! I love to declutter my home when I’m feeling this way. I start on one room and do it really really well then keep going until I feel better. I also love to do my hair and make up and use my fancy perfume for no reason what so ever! Sometimes you are all the reason you need! Xoxo
Yesss I love doing that too! You never need a reason in my opinion!
Such beautiful pieces! Thank you for sharing these tips as I’ve had some rough days recently.
Antonia || Sweet Passions
I’m sorry to hear that, hope these tips can help x
Great tips as always Jenny! When I’m at home I never really wear anything but PJ’s, but sometimes I pop my favourite earrings in or fix my hair to feel more me.
Kate | kindlyk.co.uk x
I like to do that too! If I’m wearing sweats or pjs bottoms to jazz it up a bit haha!
Great tips
I love wearing my favourite items because I know they boost my confidence and mood.
Thank you for sharig
That’s great to hear x