inspiration

Four Ways to Feel Like a New Woman

I feel like I’m a fairly confident person. I have off days, of course, but really for the most part I feel pretty good about myself. It took a lot of years to get this way and I honestly wish I could go back and give my 13, 16, 18, 23 year old selves a little pep talk. Even if I didn’t gain complete confidence until adulthood, I’m just happy I feel this way now.
Even still though, I can fall into these ruts where I feel like it’s a lot of the same ole, same ole. I love a good routine and sticking to it but sometimes it’s nice to mix it up– and the little new thing can go a long way. Here are some of my favorite (little) ways to feel like a new woman.
ONE // Get Fitted for a New Bra
I hate everything about bras. Who invented these mini torture chambers and why? One of the best parts of the day is when I can take it off. (Who else agrees?! ??)The one thing worse than having to actually wear a bra? Going shopping for a bra. I hate it and therefore I put it off for years (and years). I’ve resorted in the past to ordering bras online and it’s worked out okay– not great. I still hate 
The bras I’ve had for too long a while had seen better days. I obsessively wash mine, which isn’t good for the bras at all and every day they got a little worse.
About a month ago I went to Nordstrom to get fitted for new ones. Here I am, finally with the courage to do the awkward fitting, and the saleswoman was just, um, not into it. So my old bra and I walked out there feeling defeated. I decided to give it another try last week and (the new, super nice, super helpful, super knowledgeable) saleswoman knocked it out of the park. She listened to exactly what I liked and didn’t like in a bra, sized me, and literally kept bringing back option after option of great bras. I wear a weird size in bras and typically struggle to find a bra that’s even made in my size. But I ended up with five bras and tossed my old ones out immediately.
I feel like a NEW WOMAN. They’re comfortable and actually fit. I wish I had done this sooner.
After I tweeted this, I had a few emails about the bras I ended up with. I got a few Natori bras and just love the way they feel and how I feel while wearing them. They’re gorgeous while still feeling simple. I also got a Betsey Johnson t-shirt bra that looks great too.

TWO // Use a Hair Mask
My hair is always giving me issues. I wish a talented hairdresser could come and do it every morning for me! I have never done a deep conditioning hair mask before although I have had one sitting under my sink for months. One day, as I was contemplating chopping it all off, I decided to give it a try. I washed my hair and then rubbed the mask in. I let it set for 10 minutes while I shaved and then took a short, relaxing bath. Honestly my hair has never been that soft and fluffy– the good kind. I’ve made it a part of my official weekly routine.
It’s the next best thing to having someone come and doing my hair every morning. And the best part? It only takes ten minutes.
THREE // Switch Up Your Coffee Order
This is kind of a dumb thing, but I recently switched up my coffee order. It’s a little change and now it’s something I really look forward to. I used to get a plain dark roast coffee; now I get a cappuccino. It feels a little fancier and tastes oh-so-good. I normally order cappuccinos after a nice dinner and I kind of love making it an everyday thing. Sometimes I’ll drive through Starbucks and other times I’ll “treat” myself to this fancy cafe down the street. 
It’s a nice, little change that lifts my mood!
FOUR // Get a Massage
I started budgeting for massages a couple of years ago while living in NYC. My stress manifests itself in very physical ways, namely my neck and shoulders. It’s not uncommon for someone to say, “You look tense” even if I don’t feel tense in the moment, my stress has built up in my neck/shoulders and I look it. Occasionally I find myself with my shoulders actually touching the bottoms of my ear lobes. I absolutely get at least one deep tissue massage a month. And if possible, more.
The massages themselves are not the most pleasant; they tend to really hurt. But when I get off the table and straighten my back, I feel two inches taller. Whatever boulder of stress that has been resting on my shoulders will have disappeared. If it’s been a while, I’ll splurge for an hour but otherwise a quick 30 minutes is really all I need!
Do you have any tricks to feel like a new woman?!
xoxo
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17 Comments

Tracy Schwartz

I absolutely hate Bra shopping. Need to get fitted for new ones. Usually go to a local specialty shop since I'm on the larger size but maybe will give Nordstrom a shot.

A quick mani also gives me confidence. I do my own nails but sometimes having them done professionally is better!

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carly

Agreed about the mani! I love doing my own nails… but it does feel great when someone else does them for you!!

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Audrey Lin

Having small boobs means that I don't need to wear underwire bras, which I'm so thankful for. I found really comfy, simple bras from UNIQLO and bought like 10 of them. I only wear those now 😛 // Coffee, massages, and facials are the ways I do it 😀 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's

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Jordan A

They offer 10 minute massages at my school during finals week for all the students and it was my first time ever getting a massage, the lady probably thought I was nuts for how tight my shoulders are, I really should start going more often!

Jordan @ NorthShoreProper.com

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twentysomething

Love these suggestions!. I totally feel your pain when it comes to bra fitting – I've been putting it off for months but perhaps I should go. 🙂

Kate xx (dreamsthatscatter.wordpress.com)

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carly

You HAVE to try it. I was blown away by how much of a difference it made in just ten minutes!

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Elisabeth Springer

I am the same way re: tension in the neck and shoulders, and I recently started getting acupuncture and it has changed by body. It helps SO much and I find the results last longer than with a massage. It's a treatment, not a cure- I still go every month- but to other people with similar pain I can't recommend it highly enough!

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Starr Chen

I'm definitely going to get myself fitted for new bras soon, because I'm pretty sure I've been wearing the wrong size for years (and it's been years since I bought these oops!). I definitely love hair (and face!) masks for hitting refresh on my mood and mind, too! That reminds me that I'm due for some soon. 🙂

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