When I was in high school, we had a uniform skirt but could wear any top with it to express ourselves. At the time, we all thought it was incredibly boring to have to wear the same skirt every day and wished for more flexibility. I laughed at the memory because now I find myself wearing a uniform by choice — jeans and a white t-shirt — followed by a colorful scarf or sweater to break the monotony and add some personality.
For some, such a uniform would be as restrictive as it was in high school, but fashion has never mattered to me. Some might want to devote their energy to cooking, while others are content with a grab ‘n go sustenance. There are people who spend hours on their home and holiday decor, contrasted with others who are satisfied with a minimalist approach.
For a year, author Ann Patchett gave up purchasing anything you couldn’t buy in a grocery store or bookstore. “Not shopping saves an astonishing amount of time,” she wrote in her book These Precious Days. She recounts a conversation with her friend: “I realized I had too many decisions to make that were actually important, Elissa said. “There were people to help, things to do. Not shopping frees up a lot of space in your brain.”
As does not crafting unique outfits every day. Figure out what’s important to you — whether that be clothes, shopping, cooking, or decor — and don’t invest your time or decision-making on the rest.
