I have to admit, telling people what I do for a living these days can feel a bit awkward. I used to have it super easy. I was a TV sports anchor and reporter. Done, end of story. And people usually thought it sounded pretty cool, so bonus!

But now, it’s not quite so straight forward. I’m a content creator with a fashion and lifestyle blog. Yet, I’m constantly evolving (like right now!) and trying to determine how I can best serve the community I’m trying to create. Not so simple, now is it?

In addition, I always worry that as soon as I say the word “fashion” I’m going to lose some people. They might think, oh, fashion (insert eye roll). Isn’t that just frivolous and shallow?

But you know what? It isn’t.

What we wear is an outward expression of who we are. It gives people a first impression that, sometimes, is difficult to ever change. Yes, we all know that when you get down to it what really matters is what’s inside—how you behave, who you are, the choices you make and the way you treat others.

But what’s on the outside carries weight as well.

I have been obsessed with clothing basically since I was allowed to start dressing myself. And when I wasn’t dressing myself, I was busy styling my Barbies. Early on I set some pretty strict fashion standards for myself. I did not want to wear anything that I thought looked like what a boy would wear. So, until around the age of 10 I refused to put on anything that wasn’t a dress.

Eventually I relaxed that rule and allowed leggings. But I still would not even think of touching a pair of jeans until I was 12.

It sounds so silly now, but those silly rules I set for myself were an expression of who I was at the time. I was a girly-girl who loved pink and bows and pretty dresses. You knew that from the moment you first met me.

As I’ve grown up my style has changed (thankfully!), but the principles behind it have not. How I present myself to the world is really my own form of art. Each morning I start with a blank canvas and get to create whatever I want to reveal that day.

When I believe I look good, I feel good. It’s as simple as that. And some might think that is shallow. But if what you wear is able to give you a confidence boost, who wouldn’t want that mental advantage every single day?

What does your style say about you? And why does it matter to you? I’m so curious to hear your answers! Let me know if the comments below.

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