Reinventing Yourself

I have recently found myself wanting to change things about me. Not in bad a way, not in a way where I'm having an identity crisis. I just want to change the way I dress, my aesthetic, and what I listen to because lately I've felt like the clothes I have been wearing and what I'm listening to and how I live just aren't me anymore. They're the me from 3 years ago, when I was a completely different person.

I feel that changes like this usually have a bad annotation. They're treated as if we're losing ourselves or that change is bad. In reality, we as humans all change so much throughout our lives. We're not the same person we were 10 years ago, and that's usually a good thing.

So how exactly do you go about reinventing yourself? I've created a list for ideas if you're wanting to change certain aspects of your life but not sure where to start.

Start with your clothes.

Our clothes are so much more than just coverings for our bodies. They let us express ourselves and are important to how we present ourselves to others and what kind of impression we're trying to make.

Throw out clothes you no longer wear or like. Go purposefully shopping for items that you feel confident and comfortable in.

Maybe you feel like your maxi skirt and tie-dyed shirts no longer suit you, and you want to start wearing jeans, blazers, and heels. If that's what makes you feel best, wear it!

If you like online shopping or you're on a budget, I highly suggest using the app Mercari. You can find items that have been used or are new for remarkable prices.

Music.

For a very long time my lifestyle centered around the music that I listened to. I dyed my hair purple and had lots of piercings and wore all black because that's what the bands I was into did (though I still have and love my piercings!). If you're the same way, examine your music and make adjustments accordingly.

If you're no longer interested in punk music, delete the songs off your playlist. Toss out your electric guitar that you haven't touched in 8 months. Take the band posters from your wall.

It's okay to change your taste in music. Just because you were a fan of something once doesn't mean you have to be a fan forever.

Diet.

Most of us have a desire to have a healthier diet. While this sounds simple, it is actually a huge personal change. Here are some ways to start eating healthier:

Stop buying pizza.

Save healthy recipes and actually make them.

Swap out unhealthy choices for healthier ones: Cheez-Itz for fruit bowls, and soda for smoothies.

Meal plan so you're less tempted to eat out.

Grocery pick ups. These will prevent you from buying unhealthy items on a whim.

Your home.

Our living environment greatly impacts our mood and thought life. But the good news is, nothing is stopping you from changing your home! It's your home and you can make it look however you want.

If you know that you're not content with the way your house looks but you're not sure what you would like to move on to, Pinterest is a wonderful place to find inspiration!

Here are a few simple ideas on changes you could make to the inside of your house to get your creativity flowing:

Throw away decor items you don't appreciate.

Replace what you threw away with items that truly speak to you.

Buy a new set of dinnerware.

Find your signature home scent. The way your house smells can change everything. Pick a few candles you like and burn them frequently.

Paint the walls (if you don't want to paint the whole inside of your house a different color, you could create accent walls).

Paint your front door.

Plant some flowers outside.

Your hobbies.

Our hobbies are a reflection of who we are. They show our passions and interests. And as we change, our hobbies are going to as well. Don't fight this, embrace it. Openly explore other hobbies.

If you've always enjoyed painting, give sculpting a try. If you've been a writer for years but want to dabble in graphic design there's literally no reason not to. At the worst you give it a shot and decide its not for you, and then you move on to something else.

Your friends.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying ditch all of your friends! But let's be honest for a moment: some of our friendships only exist because we've known that person since we were in high school and that alone is the foundation for your relationship. Or, sometimes we have "friends" that are straight up toxic but we're around them all the time and that's why we're friends with them.

Evaluate your friendships and ask yourself if this person brings out the best in you and if you truly enjoy their company. If the answer is no, gently loosen ties with them. Don't be rude, but politely decline when they ask you out, or keep conversations with them brief.

Make it a point to branch out and try to create new, meaningful friendships. Seek out people who share the same interests as you and your values. Look for people that bring out your best.

Don't look at reinventing yourself as some daunting task. It can be a fun journey to discover the person you're becoming. Embrace this new you with open arms!