The magic of earrings, or how being intentional gets you further

I've slowly but surely been putting the advice I've been reading here to good use. However, one area where I've historically struggled is appearing feminine and put together. I'm a plus sized woman and pretty shy, so I've always gravitated toward plain (and tbh, kind of frumpy) clothes. However, recently I have decided put in more of an intentional and conscious effort to feel (and hopefully become) more put together.

Y'all.....making this move has literally changed my life in a few short weeks. And I'm not talking about a complete overhaul. I'm talking small and reasonable changes with the wardrobe and products I already owned.

Tucking my shirts into my jeans for waist emphasis. Cuffing the jeans for a fun and femme touch. Wearing strappy sandals instead of bummy flip flops. Even better, wearing flats. Updating my glasses to be cute but classy. Taking better care of my skin. And, to tie into the title, always wearing some earrings.

These changes have changed my life. From my SO telling me that he loves that I just look so effortlessly together when we go out, to my friends asking how I manage to look simple and chic, to getting random compliments from strangers on how they love my shoes or purse or whatever. Wild.

However, I had a virtual interview about a week ago. I wore a simple gray cardigan and black t-shirt style dress, and I literally got the job over another person with a similar work history and education because the employer said they could tell that I took myself seriously by how I presented myself. They talked to me about how they've been interviewing people who show up for their Zoom calls in pajamas. For interviews. What?? I went in today for my physical and HR stuff, and I was approached by all kinds of higher ups throughout the facility who congratulated me on my new position with the group. These are people that I have seen all over town before who never gave me a second thought who are now giving me their cards and telling me that if I'm ever in their building, feel free to stop by.

Maybe it's a placebo effect of feeling better because of looking better. Maybe people really do respond better when you put in more effort. Maybe a mix. I don't know, and I'm not entirely sure that I care to know. What I do know is that my life has vastly improved in the past few weeks, and I'm going to chalk it up to having the audacity to start wearing earrings. :)