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.

Yes, why can't you just use one end of your wardrobe? I've always done this and hung everything for each day together, including suitable underwear.

Not what you're asking but I would check your actual vitamin D levels even if you've been told your levels are normal. Most GPs will say that 50+ is normal, but for optimal health you want blood levels of 200nmol/L. Their "normal" means "not low enough for the NHS to think it's worth treating" rather than "needed for optimal health". Low vitamin D is known to be a factor in SAD.

The Nutrient Teams Protocol would be my go-to for how to supplement. Magnesium supplements might also help as your body can't use vitamin D without it and most people are deficient - but you wouldn't see that from bloodwork.

What about something like this? https://amzn.eu/d/0alYfDWD

I always do this and had set out all my autumn outfits for the week - lots of new knitted dresses that I couldn't wait to start wearing.
I didn't account for the unseasonable warm weather we've had and ended up with a bad bout of intertrigo! 😞
But yes, I have always planned my outfits for each week for as long as I can remember. I just hang them in order on a clothes rail.

I do this too. On gym days, it’s leggings, sports bra and vest with a comfy hoodie. On smart days it’s nice jeans, nice T / shirts and my shoes will be right by the door. All other trainers and shoes are tucked away and my laptop is packed too / lunch made. It definitely helps.

Neither do I but I still prefer it to be clutter free and Im afraid I would see your suggestion as creating clutter.

Can anyone recommend some good Vit D supplements or will any old tub from H&B do?

My day starts early and I live a long way North, so for several months of the year it's dark for a long time after I get up! I can confirm that Sunday eve outfit prep is a big help. I am an ADHDer so need to be careful with organisation.

Space in our room is limited, so I arrange 5 outfits on hangers on pegs on the back of the door, including underwear, and grab one hanger per day. It is lovely to not have to think about it in the morning.

It can be done without a rail.

Okay. I think “clutter” should be the least of his worries when my mental health tanks for six months of the year to be honest

That would just leave my clothes creased for the week and make me feel like a guest in my own home

I did say that in my earlier posts

I agree with you.

I find it awful he's prioritising aesthetics over your health!

I agree. Does he have a practical suggestion for how you might set your clothes out?

Well his surroundings might also impact his mental health.

I don’t understand why you can’t hang them in your current wardrobe. You haven’t really explained why that wouldn’t work.

I don’t even “pick outfits” in the morning. I put on a pair of jeans/trousers (whatever is clean), open drawer grab tshirt and away I go! In the winter I add a jumper. So I don’t really understand what is so hard about getting dressed.

I have a phone app called Smart Closet where I can plan outfits ahead and put them in a calendar.

I used to use it religiously to plan my outfits for the week ahead, pre Covid when I was in the office every day and expected to look sharp.

Now I only have to plan for 2 office days, so the night before I hang them on an extendable rod in my walk in wardrobe.

Why can't you just hang the outfits in your wardrobe? That's what I do and another poster suggested you could label the hangers for the day of the week

This may not be just about aesthetics, if an open rail with clothes etc was in my bedroom that would impact my mental health as I hate to see clutter like this. My DP likes to have a chair drobe but he knows this drives crazy so he does keep looking as tidy as possible and I open the door I can't see it!

I really think you should try this before going to the expense etc of something big in your room. What about the mirror solution someone posted a link to? I think if you try something out then your DH may be willing to meet you half way.

That's really nice, I might order my DD & DP one of these

As I have explained. We don’t have a wardrobe, we have a cupboard with a clothing rail in it. And everything else - Christmas decorations, suitcases, etc etc. it’s basically a loft but in a cupboard, because our bedroom is in a loft extension. The proportions of the room don’t allow for a wardrobe in the bedroom but would allow for a clothing rail.

Yes i do this every sunday for kids and me! Saves so much time in the morning deciding on what to wear

I do this, but I hang them back in my wardrobe. Can't you do that?

I always do this- i put it all out including socks pants etc on my chair. Takes the stress out of very early work mornings for me!

But if you normally hang clothes in it why can’t you hang your outfits in it? I think that’s why everyone is confused.

Since my first ''real'' job after uni I have done this to some extent. I fully got everything ready on a Sunday night, I had self imposed 'uniform' for when I worked in the office.
I now WFH and don't really do it, I still have a sort of line up for the week ahead. After 5 years of pregnancy/ breastfeeding I did largely live in leggings! But it makes life really simple in the mornings.

I have two DSs in nursery and do it for them