WRITTEN BY SHARRA GREENE | PHOTOGRAPHED BY MKR SHOOTS
As a stylist, I’m constantly working to stay on top of the trends, problem solving, and analyzing what could be better, in an effort to make sure my work and my brand is the best it can be. When you’re in fashion, it’s easy to get caught up in who wore what, who wore it better, and what the next wave is. After years of following such an ever-changing industry, it’s easy to get lost in it all. Through well-intentioned habits of doing trend research, self awareness, and constant evaluation of self, the lines between staying looped in to the world around you and losing your sense of unique thought and creativity can often become blurred.
I realized this was a true conflict for me this past weekend. I was scatter brained, filled with a bunch of doubts, and just generally uninspired to do anything on my ever-growing to do list. As I vented my thoughts to my boyfriend, I realized that part of my frustration was coming from not being able to even fully hear myself and what I wanted and needed. I had been hard at work over the past few weeks creating pitches, traveling and networking, preparing myself for the next best opportunity, and being hyper focused on what I should be or shouldn’t be doing. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good productivity streak, but I had been seriously neglecting self care and honoring my own need to be heard by… well, by myself.
I’m sure many of you can relate. Day after day, we’re surrounded by everyone’s opinion of what’s right for us. Our timelines tell us what we’re doing wrong, or displaying to us what others are doing right that we’re not. Our jobs are constantly telling us where we could improve, and then we have our biggest critic, ourselves.
As I pondered all of the places where I feel pressure in my life to show up perfectly, I was finally able to conclude why I felt so negatively. I wasn’t giving myself grace to be fully myself without first running it through the filter of “Is this right for my business? Is it right to feel like this? What more could I be doing?” The reality is, as a young black woman, the world is already going to have plenty to say about how I look, what I wear, and what I do. I’m now learning how important it is to honor myself, apart from the standards and expectations that the world puts on me. I need to be clear on how I feel about myself and where I’m going, and honor those feelings, however imperfect they may be.
To do this, I’ve been practicing guided meditation to maintain a state of mindfulness. I’ve also been asking myself more questions about my mission and values, so I’ll know to bring that into everything that I do, instead of defining myself and my worth by where I am vs. where I think I should be. I’ve realized that I value helping to bring out the best in others by being my best, and my mission is to use my creativity to inspire the creativity and self expression of others. Styling is simply the current vehicle I’m using to live out that mission.
What are some strategies you use to stay grounded and in tune with yourself? Let me know in the comments!
XOXO,