When the pull to spend all day in a robe is strong, I remember the concept of “enclothed cognition.”

What we’re wearing has a profound effect on our thoughts and our behavior. Research has shown this effect time and again, and we likely have anecdotal evidence of this effect in our own lives.

A tailored jacket can imbue confidence and focus our attention, while casual jeans can make us feel friendlier and more carefree.

A day in pajamas can make us feel cozy and relaxed on a Sunday, but lazy and unproductive on a Monday.

Now, I typically keep my stuff instead of buying and purging, buying and purging. That cycle strains our wallets, our planet, and our home’s organizational systems.

But after having a baby, I needed clothing that fit my body as it is now, not how it used to be. I wasted a few days feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious in pre-baby pants, and a few more days feeling frumpy in my stretch pants.

Then I got wise and went shopping for a capsule wardrobe updated for my new hotness. My energy and mood is better when I put on my new jeans and a cute nursing-friendly top. Now more than ever, my wardrobe needs to be comfortable, curated, and 155% machine washable.

Paying attention to how we feel, think, and act in our clothes is a simple way to declutter our closets AND a powerful way to shop with intention.