Press REFRESH on 2016; Here’s How

 

When I started the New Year I knew that before I committed to any lofty goals or intentions for 2016, I needed to stand back and just press Refresh. Life looks different to me as a result of the experiences of last year—the loss of Mother and my youngest brother—and I don’t quite know where I’m headed.

This is unfamiliar ground. Usually I’m ready and eager to tackle a major project or two starting in January. But I don’t have that fiery energy at the moment. I think if I just look at my life and consider what’s working, what’s enjoyable and create more opportunities for more of those things to happen in 2016, I’d be happy. Happy enough. And if there are ways to make things better, I’ll consider those as well. But I’m not looking at big giant steps here, I’m looking at baby steps, gentle steps.

 

The “Twenty Things I Love to Do” List

In the earlier years of my career I gave my new clients homework. Some of that homework is what I still use today in the style interview. But back then I had them do one other thing: Make a list of 20 things you love to do.

 

 

When they showed up for the style interview, I asked them questions that helped me understand their unique style formula. I was also interested in any way I might help them enjoy aspects of their life that they may not be enjoying currently simply because they didn’t have the clothes for it.

So here’s what would happen. I’d ask them to pull out their list of twenty things they love to do. I wouldn’t look at the list myself. I would ask them to look it over and write down when the last time was that they did that thing. The answer might be last night (“have sex”), last year (“attend the ballet”), five years ago (“visit London”), or I can’t remember (“go to a concert”), and so on.

Looking at their list now that they’d written in the last time they did that thing, I asked them to see if there was anything on their list that they have not been doing or haven’t thought about doing because they didn’t have the clothes for it. Answers might be:

 

Go swing dancing
Hike in National Parks
Join girlfriends for cocktails
Plan and go on weekend adventures with my husband
Wine tasting
Tropical vacations
Escaping to a metropolitan city for a weekend of museums, sightseeing tours and dining
Accompanying my husband to business meetings in European cities

 

I’d ask, “If you had clothes in your closet that would make doing these activities easier or possible, would you like that?” If they said yes then I’d add that to our shopping plan.

Maybe the fashion fix meant shopping for new hiking shoes and outdoorsy clothes so they could get out there on the trails again. Maybe they needed outfits to dance in so they could return to swing dancing. Maybe they needed some fancy tops to wear with their basic pants so they’d feel more appropriate for drinks on the lobby of a fancy hotel with their friends.

This exercise was a bonus for many people. They realized they were stuck in ruts or had lost touch with those activities that were stimulating and fun for them and they wanted to change that.

I stopped using this exercise in my style appointments not because I didn’t think it was great and potentially helpful, but I took it out in order to streamline the appointment. It wasn’t uncommon for me to spend three hours doing this appointment but I realized not everyone had the luxury of that much time.

 

 

But I love remembering it now! And who knows? Maybe I’ll bring it back as an “optional” exercise. I do know that I plan to sit down and make my list of 20 things I love to do and see what wardrobe fixes may help me do them more or with more confidence.

I know I want to spend more time outdoors this year on hiking trails in the hills nearby. And I also know I’m ready to do more socializing so I want some outfits that are distinctive from Monday-Friday work clothes. I think I’m also interested in expressing the softer, more feminine side of myself so maybe there’s lace, ruffles or blush tones in my future. I’ve started my 2016 color inspiration with my rose gold iPhone!

Would this be a January exercise for you to do? Do you want to make your list of twenty things and see what surfaces? It could be interesting! I’d love to hear what you learn!

 

 

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