Winter 2023 Capsule Wardrobe

 I am so excited to be back into a capsule wardrobe.  I have tried variations of this over the past couple years, but I have been largely unsuccessful due to an ever-changing body that I found difficult to dress.  Things have begun to settle out, so I am excited to figure out what works for me in this season of my life.  I am still breastfeeding, but my baby is now a toddler and requires far less feedings during the day.  This gives me the flexibility to choose clothes that aren't necessarily nursing friendly because I am not planning around breastfeeding anymore.

As a reminder, in this season of life I am a stay-at-home mom of 3 kids.  I live on the Canadian prairies where our temperatures get very cold.  I am basically dressing for warmth and comfort.  

My 2023 winter capsule wardrobe consists of 35 pieces and it includes my active wear and lounge wear.  I don't include my outerwear (winter jackets, toques/hats, mitts, boots, etc.) and I do not include my pajamas.

TOPS & DRESSES

PANTS & JEANS

ACTIVE & LOUNGE TOPS

(3 of these shirts were taken from my husband's side of the closet.)

ACTIVE & LOUNGE PANTS

I am excited to get dressed from this capsule wardrobe.  I feel like it has so much potential for functional outfits that get me (mostly) out of my sweats.  I have included a lot of lounge wear, but I do wear my lounge wear to clean my house.  I had the unfortunate mishap of bleaching (and destroying) one of my favourite sweaters a couple weeks ago, so I have learned my lesson.  Old t-shirts are now my go-to for when I am cleaning.  Happy Wednesday, friends!

New Year, Old Me

I decided that this year would be a year of coming back to myself.  2022 was consumed with taking care of my new baby, adjusting to life with 3 kids and being back to in-person schooling.  It was definitely a learning curve, but there was a lot of joy and sweetness in my life.  As our routines become slightly more predictable and as I learn the ropes of how to get 3 kids out of the door on time, I am ready to step out of survival mode and back into life.  While survival mode is something that I suspect will happen throughout 2023, I am hopeful it won't be my main mode.

My word of the year for 2023 is restore.  I want to re-establish good habits that have served me in my life.  I want to start taking better care of myself again.  I want to take time to do things that bring me joy and make me feel like myself.  I want to create capsule wardrobes again and write in this blog.

I have a few goals for the year.  The goals are as follows:

• Catch up on making our family photo books.  I am 5 years behind.  Enough said.

• Make time for intentional movement/strength training 3-5 days a week.  This is so important for my mental health, but I wasn't able to do this well in 2022.

• Share the mental load.  I carry almost all of the mental load associated with our 3 kids and (mostly due to some pretty rough sleep deprivation) I am becoming burnt out.  My husband is a perfectly capable father and can handle taking over some of this mental load.  He and I are discussing how to make this work.

• Have better sleep hygiene.  Every time I complain about one of my children's penchant for procrastinating bedtime, I know that I should just look in the mirror.  I like being up alone at night.  I like having time to myself where no one needs me.  I crave alone time.  I am also exhausted.  So. Very. Exhausted.  The kindest thing I can do for myself is get more sleep when I can.  I have set an alarm on my phone for 10:00 so that I get up and get ready for bed.  My phone will also stop allowing me to scroll at this time.  I plan to be in bed by 10:30.

What are your goals for 2023?  I hope you all have a gentle and peaceful 2023.