October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Komen website, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, about one person every two minutes in the U.S. You may know someone currently fighting breast cancer, or perhaps it has affected you personally or a loved one. While my tips are helpful for those who are working toward a cancer-free life, they are also applicable for all who are facing difficult circumstances.
My Tips
Here are my five tips to make life easier during challenging times.
- Only wear what you love. Over my many years of assisting men and women with their image and style, I know first-hand that clothing offers mental and physical support. Never underestimate the power of a favorite color, a soothing texture, or a whimsical print to lift your spirits. Rather than saving favorite things for special occasions, remind yourself that TODAY is the occasion. Wearing what you love will lift your spirits and those around you.
- Bring a new color into your wardrobe. Life is in shakeup mode, so shake up your wardrobe by bringing in colors you have not worn before. Above are the top colors for fall as shared in this post. Perhaps there is a color on this palette you’re drawn to that you are not currently wearing. It can be a piece of clothing or an accessory. On a personal note, I am not a “purple” person. However, I recently saw an image of a lady wearing bright red pants with a purple sweater that made me light up. I’d love to recreate a similar outfit in my life. I’m looking at these pants and this sweater. Never say never in fashion, including the colors you wear.
- Special jewelry pieces can be talismans for good health. Some people like to wear a piece of jewelry given to them by a family member. Others like to wear symbols they love such as butterflies, which symbolize new birth. I personally love a fleur de lis. A friend of mine wears a charm her mom commissioned a jeweler to make many years ago. When we wear these special pieces, they help us feel more connected to ourselves and fill us with a sense of love and strength from the person or the time & place we acquired it. Let the warm feelings you get from your symbolic piece soothe and comfort you on an as-needed basis.
- Control what you can. Often a crisis can come right out of the blue and make your life feel suddenly out of control. Now is the time to focus on what you can control. You can control what is around you, for example. Eliminate unwanted clutter from your life. Remove everything that is not useful or beautiful to you such as stained clothing, chipped dishes, and broken appliances. You can also control how you spend your time and with whom. Move toward people and activities that make you happy. Rediscover old loves like knitting, woodworking, or dancing. Exercising control in some areas of your life renews your energy to face the treatments and tough work ahead.
- Keep a gratitude journal. A few of you just rolled your eyes at me. Hear me out. Difficult circumstances can cause you to focus on all the things you do not like in your life. However, now more than ever it’s important to create a space where you can focus on the things you do like and love. At the end of the day, write down 5-10 things for which you are grateful. Knowing you will be writing these things in a journal each night will keep you focused during the day on moments of grace, pleasant surprises, and simple pleasures. Your journal could become an everyday welcome friend that reminds you off the abundant blessings all around you.
You Deserve Your Love & Care
I wish you strength, endurance, and patience as you face the tough road ahead. You have everything you need within you to push through to the other side. You are lovely and amazing, and I hope you find time each day to celebrate you.
