Deep Breath. How are you doing? Overwhelmed? Anxious? Depressed? … we were all those things before. This requires a new vocabulary.

I find that every time I see an article which references the toll this pandemic is taking on WOMEN, I stop in my tracks. I recently started wondering why I do this. Am I looking for validation of the facts that I already know? Or the situation I am currently living and already too familiar with? Or of the stories I am already hearing not just on tv, but in my own life from those close to me?

We don’t need a study to tell us what we already know. We are finding a way to make it work but only by the skin of our teeth. It’s hard. It’s grueling and it’s way past old. We’re living the previously unimaginable. And we’re bearing the brunt of it ladies. We’re juggling way too much on plates that already have HUGE cracks… whatever your situation.

There are days I feel it more than others. The gray overcomes me. The stress aches in my muscles. I have to fight like hell to stop the overwhelming anxiety from keeping me in bed. But I know I am not alone. You are not alone. We are all fighting right now.

Yet somehow we are still standing. We put one foot in front of the other and we keep going. And this is where I look every day for the inspiration I need to get through. Because I see you Ladies. I see you fighting through the exhaustion, the pain, the stress, the hurt… just get yourself and your families through another day.

You are amazing to me. And we don’t stop often enough to appreciate what we’ve accomplished in the face of what is currently unprecedented.

Stand tall ladies. We might be beat up but we’re still here. We have a resiliency that’s unmatched. We are strong, beautiful and determined. I see you.

I want to believe that we’re all in this together. Especially that we WOMEN can find an opportunity in this situation to care for each other in ways maybe we haven’t before. We’ve always needed to watch out for each other in a special way. Now we need each other more than ever. How can you help? If you’re in a position to do so, donate to your local food pantry. Show a little extra kindness to your child’s teacher… chances are her stress levels are a bit elevated as well. Notice a mom in your neighborhood struggling? Drop off a meal, a dessert, a bottle of wine… a simple kindness can go a long way. We can support each other even now… especially now.

So while I love fashion and dress up this pandemic has turned me towards the basics… the essentials I need to get through the day. Starting with coffee in the am and wine in the pm. But where my wardrobe is concerned, I’m living in loungewear. Loungewear can range from your workout leggings to a cozy worn in pair of jeans. Loungewear is whatever you are comfortable wearing while you sit around your house. Loungewear combines comfort with style. It reflects your personal style and should flatter your body type to make you feel great when you wear it. So even if you put it on to sit around your house, you can also wear it out… in public… to run your errands, get a coffee, shuttle around kids, go for a walk, go to your kid’s soccer game, pick up a bottle of tequila… ect.

Find a few “loungwear” suggestions below from Athleta. And remember to be kind to others and yourself as we continue to navigate through the haze. You are amazing.

So now that we are practicing “social distancing” will you be living in your PJ’s? I know my kids LOVE to stay in their PJ’s as long as possible. And on the weekends when we don’t have plans, I’m happy to let them. But even though we’ll be home over the next several weeks, the kids are still expected to e-learn. And I’m expected to work from home. Like many of you, I have no idea how this is going to work. I’m fairly certain there will be a large amount of wine and coffee involved.

But one thing I do think we’ll need to figure out how to do is place some structure in our day. This might be my best chance at getting in a few working hours. One thing I notice with my kids is that they’re less likely to stick to a schedule if they are lounging around all day in PJ’s. But if I get them to brush their teeth, put on clothes, and comb their hair, they seem to be more mentally ready for the day ahead. I think this makes sense. It’s a way for them to pull themselves together and get in a mindset. This works for adults too!

Just because they’re getting out of PJ’s doesn’t mean they can’t be comfortable. My kids insist on being comfortable. Sweatpants, track pants, under armor t-shirts… my boys live in this stuff. I also have my share of sweatpants, track pants, leggings and jeans that I find to fit the definition of “comfy”. And when I work from home, I put on an outfit. Even if that’s just leggings and a tunic sweater, it’s still an outfit that I purposefully put on to go about my day in. Like my kids, I find I’m most productive when I’m dressed for my day.

So even though we’ll be at home for the foreseeable future, we’ll still be getting out of those PJ’s and into something purposeful. After all, we still have things to accomplish and we’ll do our best to get them done. And doing them in a cute comfy outfit couldn’t hurt.

Lou & Grey Signature Softblend Drawstring Pant

We can do this... time to get comfortable

Time to get comfy