Getting dress being in the DSM as one of the basic activities of daily living is so interesting to think about! I so relate to feeling like getting dressed in the “right” way is so important for how people see me, like if I have one off day it will change dynamics. As much as I love fashion and style, it is a lot sometimes.
Such a rare topic, thank you for covering it and exploring in such depth. Everything makes sense. I, too, find all those beauty routines tiresome. I used to think I’m not doing it (being a female) right. I now understand that my brain type (with added ‘bonus’ of being born in a family I grew up with) just cannot — and refuses — to operate all that ‘femininity’ one is supposed to do in order to pass as a female in the society. I rather read books.
The relationship between illness and fashion/self expression is intense. I really enjoyed this piece - I became chronically ill 3/4 years ago and I did not expect the way it would destroy my relationship to clothes and self expression. The desire to be able to get dressed, in the way you want, and that conforms is huge, and exhausting! I was bed bound for 2 years, I was not getting dressed outside of pyjamas for that time, and it destroyed my ability to get dressed. Whenever I had to go to hospital I noticed I always wore black and baggy clothes (I like to think I was mourning my past life). You know how it is when you’re in pain I don’t want anything touching my body. But it simultaneously gave me an identity crisis as I was not able to dress how I’d like, or meet the expectations of how society would want me to dress. I am not bed bound anymore, but getting dressed is still fucking shit. I never look how I’d ‘like’ to and grappling with that is devastating - this is not how I want to dress but I have to because I’m sick.
I love clothes and style and I very much feel like I have had to let go of it since becoming sick. I hate it. It’s too much sometimes and a luxury that many people probably don’t realise they have. 🩷
Thank you for this thoughtful, well-researched piece. I’ve been recently diagnosed with a chronic auto immune disease. It’s been interesting to watch myself get more “ done up” then I had in a while. I think it feels good too feel put together when everything seems to be falling apart.
Getting dress being in the DSM as one of the basic activities of daily living is so interesting to think about! I so relate to feeling like getting dressed in the “right” way is so important for how people see me, like if I have one off day it will change dynamics. As much as I love fashion and style, it is a lot sometimes.
Absolutely. Thank you for reading, Becca 🤍
Such a rare topic, thank you for covering it and exploring in such depth. Everything makes sense. I, too, find all those beauty routines tiresome. I used to think I’m not doing it (being a female) right. I now understand that my brain type (with added ‘bonus’ of being born in a family I grew up with) just cannot — and refuses — to operate all that ‘femininity’ one is supposed to do in order to pass as a female in the society. I rather read books.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read! I'm really glad it resonated with someone.
The relationship between illness and fashion/self expression is intense. I really enjoyed this piece - I became chronically ill 3/4 years ago and I did not expect the way it would destroy my relationship to clothes and self expression. The desire to be able to get dressed, in the way you want, and that conforms is huge, and exhausting! I was bed bound for 2 years, I was not getting dressed outside of pyjamas for that time, and it destroyed my ability to get dressed. Whenever I had to go to hospital I noticed I always wore black and baggy clothes (I like to think I was mourning my past life). You know how it is when you’re in pain I don’t want anything touching my body. But it simultaneously gave me an identity crisis as I was not able to dress how I’d like, or meet the expectations of how society would want me to dress. I am not bed bound anymore, but getting dressed is still fucking shit. I never look how I’d ‘like’ to and grappling with that is devastating - this is not how I want to dress but I have to because I’m sick.
I love clothes and style and I very much feel like I have had to let go of it since becoming sick. I hate it. It’s too much sometimes and a luxury that many people probably don’t realise they have. 🩷
Thank you so, so much for writing this. I feel deeply seen. 🖤
Thank you so much for reading - it means a lot to hear that. 🤍
Thank you for this thoughtful, well-researched piece. I’ve been recently diagnosed with a chronic auto immune disease. It’s been interesting to watch myself get more “ done up” then I had in a while. I think it feels good too feel put together when everything seems to be falling apart.