I’ve suffered from Depression on and off for decades now, and I find that wearing bright clothes helps lift my spirits. When I wear colour I feel as though I’m fighting my inner darkness from the outside.
Medication, yoga and a SAD lamp help as well, along with a healthy diet and music (very important!), but it’s the little everyday action of putting on colourful clothes in the morning that sets me up for the day.
When I’m at my blackest I’m actually projecting how I’d like to feel: bright and cheerful, not shrouded in cloud. This means that when I’m feeling painfully low I’m carrying my shield around with me: I am the sunshine.
Cool shoes always lift my mood – and any look – so I often start from my toes and work upwards to instinctively find the outfit best placed to fight the Depression on any given day. Irregular Choice shoes always have a sense of humour, which makes them a great brand to build an outfit around. Likewise, United Nude have very quirky designs made of stunning materials.
Today, I’m dressed in pink tights and a teal dress with a blue military coat thrown over the top. That blue shade is pretty much as dark as I go in terms of colour, and although I do wear black it’s not often – although my faux-leather jacket from Zara does come in handy for throwing over pretty much everything!
Do you find different colours can alter your mood?
Coat: Karen Millen
Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Shoes: Flick-Flack by Irregular Choice
Colour Me Abi 
Bright colours are true anti-depressants! I am a sucker for bright colored and printed clothes and wear them most of the time. You look lovely and I love the way you have put together this look. The coat looks great! Thanks for sharing. Do drop by my blog as well : http://styleovercoffee.com 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Doll. Wow, lovely printed clothes and patterned bags! Loving your style: gorgeous.
Thanks for stopping by, please come again *blows kiss*
LikeLike
Yes! I practice this too! There were times when I thought I didn’t “deserve” to dress up, especially if I was around the house not going anywhere. But I find it’s a huge anti-depressant to wear something fun. It sends yourself the message that you’re worth the bright colors and the creativity.
LikeLike
Yes: this! I never had the non-deserving thing (too self-centred, LOL) but I have always fought any emotional lows with exploring creativity in clothes, amongst other forms of self-expression. You’ve got it spot-on, there: thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you’ve never had the non-deserving complex. If you don’t have it, you’re not self centered but healthy! 🙂
LikeLike
I like your way of thinking: feel free to drop by anytime 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, will do! Could always use a dose of “colour” 😊
LikeLike
Yup! Most Americans and Canadians need more ‘colour’ in their lives… 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
We Americans certainly do 😋
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Sunny Side Up! | Colour Inspiration | Style Over Coffee | Colour Me Abi·
I love this article. Would you mind if I featured it in my new mental health magazine? You can find us on Twitter: @Squeeze_Hug if you want to check us out first. This blog post perfectly encompasses our theme for November’s issue! 🙂
LikeLike
Of course, Ellie: always happy to help. It would be my pleasure 😊
Abi.
LikeLike
Thank you so so much! Do you have a Twitter page I can tag you in, as well as giving your URL in the article? Also, would you be happy to use one of the fab photos? Xx
LikeLike
Yes, Twitter’s @colourmeabi
Help yourself to photos, but please do credit them either to myself or whomever I stole them from 🙂
LikeLike
Of course – just love the one in your colourful outfit it looks so awesome. Really inspiring. Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Aw, you’re a sweetie. Thank you xx
LikeLike
Pingback: It’s A Wonderful Life: The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Is Not A Train | Colour Me Abi·