I’ve been really enjoying everyone’s end of year posts, and appreciate all who take the time to write them. There has been a lot of great discussion about style shifts, renewals, moving on from pandemic wardrobes, etc.

I’ve decided on goals that are quite non-traditional for me. I’m NOT going to focus on monikers, colors, numbers, practicality, what’s appropriate for age or lifestyle, or any other more typical ways of defining a personal style and wardrobe. Instead I'm going to let my style evolve in a more emotional/intuitive way, starting with where things are today, looking at overall feel and silhouette, with definitions like relaxed, light (in feel or color), soft, elegant, artistic, edgy, feminine, trendy… Leaning toward a right brain approach. I am naturally much more a left brain person, and I revert to logic and rational thought when stressed. During this (*%^%& pandemic I've gone way overboard with this and need to get myself out of it.

But, I do NOT expect to start channeling Iris Apfel or wearing Angie’s beloved sour bright colors. I expect I will generally stay with styles, silhouettes and colors that I know work well for me, but I want to relax and find ways to dress that are not quite so "planned". And never say never!

I'm happy not knowing exactly where this will all take me. I have the sense that some of what I wear now will be just fine, and I'll also find some new ideas.

I'm going to try changing how I create outfits, to be more in-the-moment. Two specific things I'm going to STOP doing ..
- I sometimes use YLF collections to do theoretical outfit creation and never get around to doing in IRL. So I've done the intellectual part but not the emotional part.

- Collections by color are also an issue - knowing I have 12 items in burgundy sends me down a rat hole of thinking about a collection that looks “right” on paper, but does NOT help me create outfits that I want to wear or help me choose new pieces in those colors.

I also have a few “rules” I want to try in how I shop:
- For new items, look for things with texture, pattern, artistic vibes … no more classic solid color simple items unless for a specific need or unless I REALLY love them.

- To help reduce how many items I buy (another goal), try buying items in groups, ahead of or early in a season. Try a buy-one-outfit-per-month plan like Anchie has used; and/or an ensemble/capsule per season.

- Find a few new brands and/or stores (they will be online since there are no "new" places I can shop within a reasonable distance from me