Feeling stuck in your own head? Today’s Thought of the Day and Question of the Day combo dives into self-acceptance and the surprisingly deep joy of simple clothes. Read on for a quick mindset tune-up and a smile.
Thought of the Day: Be comfortable in your own skin because it’s illegal to wear someone else’s
Most of us spend years trying on metaphorical outfits that never quite button up right. We borrow other people’s careers, opinions, even Instagram aesthetics, hoping they’ll magically fix the weird lump of uncertainty sitting in our chests. Spoiler: they never do.
I learned that lesson the hard way during college when I tried to copy a roommate’s entire vibe. He was all jazz records and thrift-store blazers. I forced myself into corduroy and Coltrane for a semester and ended up looking like a confused history professor who lost his lecture notes. The second I switched back to jeans and classic rock, I felt my shoulders drop and my conversations flowed again.
If you need a refresher on leaning into who you already are, check out what would your past self thing of 2025
Question of the Day: What is your favorite article of summer clothing?
My vote: a humble pair of athletic shorts. They dry fast, hold my phone, and signal to the universe that I might spontaneously break into a jog or, more realistically, chase one of my three kids across the playground.
When I slip into those shorts, I feel the same lightness I felt as a kid racing sprinklers in July. They are a uniform for doing instead of fretting. Yours might be a breezy sundress, a worn-in baseball cap, or flip-flops that have seen more sand than an hourglass. Whatever it is, notice how that single item shifts your mood quicker than an iced coffee.
Relive some seasonal joy with this list of summer Questions of the Day, then drop your own pick in the comments. I read every one.
Join the conversation
Which piece of clothing makes your summer shine? Tell me below, then sign up for the daily email so the next Thought of the Day and Question of the Day lands in your inbox tomorrow morning.