To start picking out outfits for the week on a Sunday?

[wholikesliving]

It’s heading into autumn and winter and the dark mornings have really crept up on me. Every year I struggle really badly with seasonal depression. I’ve seen my doctor about it and the outcome seems to just be a shrug of the shoulders and a “sorry there’s not much we can do”. I’ve had bloods done, I eat well and maintain a good exercise routine, but just struggle.

One thing I think will help is laying out clothes for the week so each morning is as easy as possible. I really struggle to get myself out of bed, so reducing friction should help.

My partner is dead against it. We have a big space in our bedroom where I’d like to put a small clothing rail to do this. AIBU? He thinks it’ll be too cluttered and tacky. I think it would be worth it to help me in the mornings.

I think it's a great idea. I would find that really helpful too.

I don't understand why your DP isn't being supportive. If it helps your mental health then surely it benefits him? And I don't understand how having a small rail with your outfit on it overnight in a bedroom could possibly be described as being cluttered or tacky.

Who’s even going to see the rail? Him
prioritising an aesthetic that probably only you (and any dc) are likely to see over your MH is extremely selfish

It’s definitely a good idea. I mentally decide what I’m going to wear the night before and it makes the morning much easier.
I’m very similar to you OP-I find this time of year hard and just look forward to March again. I got myself a Lumie alarm clock which has helped the mornings slightly x

Can you not just hang the outfits in your wardrobe? The right hand side of my hanging rail in my wardrobe is for exactly this.

For full disclosure it’s this one from Argos, 152cm tall and 99cm along, so not huge.

He thinks it’ll make the bedroom cluttered and too busy for him to relax properly - we don’t really spend a lot of time in the bedroom so I’m not really sure why he’s pushing back so much

We don’t have a wardrobe in the bedroom, we have a (much larger) clothing rail in a cupboard in the room. It’s a bit harder to lay things out in there, I’ve tried but it just doesn’t work. A wardrobe wouldn’t really work in the space either

This is a good idea.

Never done for myself but I did it for my nursery children. So much easier.

I think just having things ready for each morning the previous night would help, which just requires one hook to hang them on, I expect.

Try that for starters.

There may be other things you need to consider alongside this. Time of eating, screen time, for example.

He thinks it’ll be too cluttered and tacky
he's an idiot, what's tacky about it. It's your room too, and it will still look tidy.

Many people plan their outfits at the weekend! Just be flexible about it, weather might make you change your mind or you might fancy something else.

Hang the jewellery with the outfits, and have the shoes and handbag ready too.

It's not like you leave pile of clean laundry waiting to be fold, and pile of stuff all over the house. (both) keep the rest of the house and bedroom tidy ,and if he's that bothered, he can relax on the sofa!

Give it a try for a few weeks if you already have a rail to use.

Then you can change for something like that, less in your face, different price range

https://www.dunelm.com/product/clothes-rail-with-mirror-1000287263?defaultSkuId=31032955&branchCode=0335&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Storage_Shoe+and+Clothes+Rails-PMax_%5BGOO-LIA-STORAGE-CLOTHES%5D&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17858822762&gbraid=0AAAAADGqyX3uASok2MDu-wfbz9RaFocEl&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiovNt7H6lgMV8pNQBh2d4RwMEAQYASABEgLMp_D_BwE

https://www.debenhams.com/product/costway-coat-rack-w-full-length-mirror-coat-tree-w-3-hooks-storage-shelves_p-5f336b8f-ce83-4c21-9b91-b332f2955165?colour=Multi&size=One+Size&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23630151512&gbraid=0AAAAABevdS5CULTNWLLOtXuAVO64Ltb9J&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiovNt7H6lgMV8pNQBh2d4RwMEAQYAyABEgL66vD_BwE

Im looking for a rail. My wardrobes bursting! The Argos one is good & not tacky at all. Not sure where that idea's come from.

Hope it works out for you.

These wouldn’t work for what I want to do

I’ve tried this. It works till about Wednesday when I just get too tired for it.

it’s hard to explain what happens to me in the depths of winter. It’s like a bone crushing tiredness. I’ve had tests, multiples sets of bloods, tried supplements. None of it works or comes back abnormal. My bloods are spot on. I just suffer through winter and want to make it as easy as possible for me

Do you use a SAD lamp? Absolute game changer for my annual SAD. Also, St John's Wort.

I have the Lumie Vitamin L lamp. I use it a lot from early September onwards and it's life saving for me.

Yep, the Lumie alarm clock lamp. It does ease it somewhat but not to the extent I feel normal. My GP suggested the only thing that would work would be a long holiday in the sun each winter!

I feel the same way you’re describing throughout winter.

I’m going to try the outfit planning, thanks for the idea!

How do you use it? Just to wake up?

Do it😌

I think this is an excellent idea. It’s something Gok Wan does too.

Sorting out a weeks worth of clothes seems easier than doing it each night for a day.

I’m starting a new job Monday and you’ve inspired me 😊

And I would definitely get the rail ☺️

do you have to hang them? if you could just fold them instead then you could put each one in a packing cube or a folder (get some pretty ones if they would brighten up your mood) and then could put them out of sight in a drawer so he wouldn't have to see them. They shouldn't crease if folded properly. If there are one or two items that do need to be hung you can get over the door things that could go on the back of your bedroom door or the cupboard.

That rail does look quite big to me, sorry. I can sort of see where he's coming from if he doesn't like clutter, although I'd suck it up if it would help you. I also don't really "get" planning your outfits out like that - the weather forecast is often inaccurate, what if on Sunday you plan a nice light dress for Friday because sun is predicted, but then 5 days later it's chucking it down? Or someone invites you out somewhere?

Why not ask if you can try it for a week or two and if it does work invest in a new wardrobe, if you don't actually have one at all in the room. That would look tidier than a rail and give you both extra storage. You can get very small thin ones that will take up minimal space.

I think it's a great idea. That's a nice looking rack too and I'd get it.

Have you thought about going somewhere sunny for a few days or a week in late January? I did that and it was wonderful.

My parents went to Tenerife every February fir a month over 10 years after retirement. I was very jealous!
I actually went to the canaries in January this year. It really helped boost me. I have a lumie alarm lamp too. It does help a bit.

He's awful to say no to this. You should be supported by your partner to do this.

Do you have a spare room? If so move in there with your 'tacky' rail!