Cuff it. Pop it. Fold it. Tuck it. Knot it. Layer it. Accessorize it.

Wanna know the quickest way to CHANGE THE ENERGY of your outfit?

Cuff it. Pop it. Fold it. Tuck it. Knot it. Layer it. Accessorize it.

It's true.

Whenever I put something on that gives me those lazy, frumpy, heavy, boring, invisible feelings, I don't let me brain jump to -- If only my belly was smaller, my hips were narrower, my boobs were bigger, THEN I'd feel happy.

No way! My body is a good body that does good body things, and it does NOT need "fixing" for me to feel good in my clothes. That's diet-industry BS and it's just not true.

(Your brain will OF COURSE cling to those body-shaming thoughts like it's the truthiest-truth of all if you don't give your brain any other thoughts to think! Once I trained my brain to pivot to the –– pop it, cuff it, fold it, tuck it, knot it, pop it, layer it, accessorize it –– thoughts, and then TOOK ACTION, I all of sudden stopped defaulting to "my body must be the problem" because I knew it wasn't!

EXAMPLE 1.

When I first tried this sweatshirt on in the thrift store, I thought, "No way, this feels too frumpy. I don't like the length, the sleeves are too long, and the collar is wayyyyy too... grandpa." But then I front-tucked the sweatshirt, cuffed the sleeves, popped the collar and I was in business! I paid for it, brought it home, added a few accessories, and shazam! I felt dynamic, alive, energetic, freeeeeee!

EXAMPLE 2.

When I first put this combo together, I felt all kinds of doughty. So I cuffed my jeans, front-tucked my shirt, rolled my shirt sleeves over my sweater sleeves, popped my collar, and accessorized. What a difference! I felt spunky, fresh, alive and buoyant.

EXAMPLE 3.

You can't get more classic than jeans and a flannel, but dang, wearing 'em plain sure drags my energy down. So, I layered on some sequins (tucked of course!), knotted my shirt, popped my collar, rolled my sleeves cuffed my jeans, and accessorized. SEVEN MOVES. In one outfit. What a difference.

EXAMPLE 4.

Somedays, I just don't feel like wearing hard-pants. Ya feel me? But that doesn't mean I wanna throw in the towel and feel uninspired all day long. I STILL wanted to feel capable and smart, so I paired my leggings with a button down shirt (I surprised myself with THAT move), layered on a denim jacket, popped both collars, rolled my shirt sleeves OVER my denim jacket sleeves, and then accessorized. Oooo geez I felt capable and smart!

Now, it's your turn! Here's what I want you to do!

1. Grab a stickie note and write down: Cuff it. Pop it. Fold it. Tuck it. Knot it. Layer it. Accessorize it.

2. Put that stickie note on your mirror, and tomorrow morning (or afternoon - no judgement here) when you get dressed, go through this list and see if you might try out a new move or three or seven.

These are UNIVERSAL MOVES that EVERY BODY can enjoy. But be forewarned.

The second you dare try a new move, your brain will try to convince you that you can't "get away with it" or that "this move is only for gals with THIS kind of body," and it's not true. Your brain doesn't like new moves, because it can't immediately categorize it as being "socially safe" without any prior experience to draw from. Totally normal. Tell your brain you're okay. Give yourself a hug. And TRY ANYWAY.

If you tried this move before, and got teased, your brain will FREAK OUT. Or even if you saw someone try this move before, and you saw THEM get teased, your brain will still freak out. Vicarious style-trauma is a thing. Your brain thinks the move isn't socially safe, so it'll insult you up one side and down the other as a way of protecting you. (Oh, the irony.) Totally normal. Tell your brain you're okay. That you're safe. And then TRY ANYWAY.

If your brain slings insults at you, don't confuse that with "not congruent." If something isn't congruent, you'll notice, you'll feel a little meh, and you'll move on, no harm no fowl. If your brain throws even ONE insult at you... that's shame. DO NOT CONFUSE SHAME with "this just isn't my style."

Before I wrap this up, I wanna make sure you wrote those moves down on a stickie note and stuck 'em on your mirror. Did you?? (If you did, hit CLICK HERE, and tell me YOU DID IT! That way I can write you back and say… WAY TO GO!)

As the late bell hooks said, "To begin by thinking of love as an action rather than a feeling is one way in which anyone using the word in this manner automatically assumes accountability and responsibility."

Love is an ACTION. Accountability. Responsibility. that's it, right there.

xo Stasia