Isabel, I'm sure no one will be depressed by your pics! We will all be encouraged by someone taking a leap and trying something new!

I am in. I will post WIWs and try to make what does fit a little more charming. I know it feels better to know I've tried, and hopefully posting WIWs will motivate me to not just "phone it in" when getting dressed!

Chewy - I just wanted to lend my support as well. I can relate to how you are feeling right now. I am going through a six month treatment for a chronic condition. It is not life threatening, however, I have been trying to find a cure for the past 16 years, I've been to different doctors, treatments etc. This is the last resort, pretty much!

The first weeks were a nightmare, I lost weight ( not a good thing for me ) and had a just an overall ill feeling that I could not shake.
I am not yet out of the woods, I'm still dealing with several side effects, but I feel the dark cloud is finally beginning to dissipate.

To all of you - I really hope things improve soon!

Khris, I just have to jump in here and add some support.

Firstly, I think you really have a natural flair for dressing with style and flair. Please remember when feeling down that there is still a pretty good likelihood that your "bad" day dressing-wise would probably equate to a pretty good day for me. In other words, please don't judge yourself harshly!

By the same token, I would like to say that for me, my experience has been that sometimes when I feel my absolute most rotten, dressing in something nice (but still comfortable) and doing my hair/putting makeup on actually lifts my spirits (providing of course, I have the energy or capacity to do so). I hope the meds and your body come to a happy and healthy compromise very soon!

I have nothing constructive to add but wanted to give hugs to all of you who are feeling down or under the weather. I hope you find the support you need here!

Khris, just a note to say that you have always been an upbeat and supportive force on the forum, and all of that is coming back your way now. As you mentioned, you are not the only one in a bit of a slump and I think we all go through that from time to time.

Please don't take what I say here as an insult or criticism because it isn't... , but isn't the whole idea of hanging out here to build a great workable wardrobe? If all we have in our closets to choose from are great fitting flattering clothing, what changes because we are feeling down? True, we might not be in the mood to put together the most creative of ensembles, but we should still have some great basics to get us through the down times.
And yes, those 5 pounds can really put a damper on things, but we should have a few things that can accomodate those extra little ounces
Perhaps we (myself included) are putting too much emphasis on always being creative and then when we dont' have the energy for that we feel badly. We don't need to feel bad about jeans and a great fitting top.
Just some thoughts....

I am sorry to hear of all the women with chronic medical problems. It is something you never get used to but that hopefully you can find peace and live with.

Queen Mum, you make a very good point ! I would say that it makes total sense when one is rational and has some perspective. Unfortunately, there are days when one doesn't have the energy for that and I think that is ok. Sometimes we are just emotionally dampened and it takes more than putting on good clothes. It takes energy to brush your teeth and wash you hair and put on some make-up, and face the world without dark cirlces, etc.

I am a big believer that one needs to adjust self-expection. If you can't muster it one day, it is ok. Because you will have it again, hopefully tomorrow, and you can adjust your expectations accordingly. I hope that makes sense.

Khris, just wanted to say that I hope you are feeling better soon. Hugs to you all!

As for motivation, what about a simple color challenge? This week post an outfit that has yellow in it or something like that? Yellow is a cheery color.

Just echoing what others have said: I'm sorry to hear some of you are having a rough time of it right now! Ongoing health issues can be so draining, and it can be hard to really feel like things will ever improve. I agree with what the Queen Mum said about trying not to be so hard on ourselves when we just want to wear jeans and a top--sometimes life events and stress do manage to trump stylishness/creativeness, and this is to be expected!

I like that this site serves as a source of community for people; it's a very warm, supportive place.

Khris,
I can totally relate- you are looking fab even if you do not feel that way. I think comfort and grace are what we need when we are really down. Showers, clean comfy lounge clothes. Anything that cheers you up or makes you feel good. Sometimes that means dressing up or not. Thoughts and prayers for all with heath issues. I have been there.