During COVID, when everyone and their mother was working from home, I was too.  I was wearing PJs to work.  I would wake up without even washing my face and start my day.  I wasn’t required to be on camera, so I didn’t do the whole nice top shorts and flip flops.  I was full on rolling out of bed and I loved it.  I hardly brushed my hair, as it was always in a bun.  PJs, sweatpants, and sweatshirts were my uniform during that time.

After COVID, when everyone was asked to come back, I was too.  It started with 1-2 days then went to 3 and now 4 days.  Everyone hated it and I still do.  Yes, I get it; prior to COVID I used to come every day.  Trust me, I hear you, there is something about folding laundry while in a meeting or being able to be with my sister’s dog all day that just sounds amazing.  Whatever.

I’m back to work 4 days and work from home (WFH) 1 day.  Guess what happened?  Nothing extraordinary.  What happened to everyone happened to me, my clothes did not fit.  Like everyone and their mother I gained 35 pounds.  Lovely!  So of course, I needed new clothes.  So, there I went to all discount stores Marshalls, Ross, TJ Maxx, you name it I went.  I bought 2 sizes bigger of everything and anything professional I could find.  As everyone was doing the same the selection was limited. I didn’t plan or think about it. Just bought enough to rotate 2 weeks worth.

Needless to say, its 2023 still trying to shed those 35 pounds.  I recently started feeling like I have a solid closet that fits, and I like wearing.  Don’t worry, I still have a box under my bed with clothes that don’t fit that I plan to bring back when I lose those 35 pounds.  Of course, my journey started watching 1001 YouTube videos around fashion and aesthetics.  

At one point I was contemplating the minimalistic capsule wardrobe.  I could not, sorry I can’t do 15 to 30 items.  I think it’s a very cool concept but it’s not for me.  Just knowing this piece of information took me a long time.  I have invested so much time into this closet I am sure it can be my part time job.

Then all I wanted was to copy or fit in someone’s mold.  Why?  Because it’s easier and I like easy.  Tell me what to buy and I will buy it.  Turns out that’s also not what I want because I don’t have infinite dollars for that and I don’t like buying expensive items.  I also tried the thrift item route and I didn’t enjoy it as much as other people seem to enjoy it.  So where do I fit in? YouTube help me!

Turns out that I like my initial route.  I like to visit Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Ross. In that order.  I like to think I am getting a good deal even if I’m not.  There are other stores I frequent like Old Navy, Banana Republic Factory, Nordstrom Rack and Target depending on what I am looking for.   I can understand why this method is harder to advertise on YouTube.  But it works for me.