Have you ever stood in front of your closet for ten minutes, staring at a sea of fabric, trying to decide which outfit will make you feel most like yourself? It is a small, daily ritual of selection. Elizabeth Gilbert offers us a beautiful parallel when she suggests that we should treat our thoughts with that same level of care. Just as we wouldn't walk out the door in clothes that are stained, torn, or uncomfortable, we shouldn't allow heavy, distorted, or unkind thoughts to settle into our minds and stay there all day. Our minds are much like our wardrobes; they contain many different layers, and we get to decide which ones we wear prominently.

In the rush of a busy morning, it is so easy to let a negative thought slip on like an old, tattered sweater. Maybe it is a thought of self-doubt, or a lingering resentment from a conversation you had yesterday. These thoughts can feel heavy and suffocating if we let them linger. But the magic lies in the realization that we have agency. We can acknowledge a thought exists, but we do not have to commit to wearing it. We can choose to swap out a critical thought for one that is more supportive, even if it feels a little bit unfamiliar at first, just like trying on a new style.

I remember a time when I was feeling quite overwhelmed with my writing projects. I found myself stuck in a loop of thinking that I wasn't good enough or that my words wouldn't resonate with anyone. It felt like I was draped in a heavy, gray cloak that made every movement difficult. One afternoon, I sat down and consciously decided to change my outfit. I told myself, I am going to choose the thought that I am learning and growing instead. It didn't change the workload, but it changed my entire internal atmosphere. I felt lighter, much like how I feel when I find the perfect, breezy linen shirt on a sunny day.

Learning this skill takes practice and a lot of patience with yourself. You will inevitably pick the wrong thought sometimes, and that is okay. The goal isn't perfection, but rather a growing awareness of your internal choices. Next time you feel a wave of negativity approaching, I invite you to pause and ask yourself: Is this a thought I actually want to wear today? If it doesn't suit the person you are becoming, feel free to hang it up and reach for something a little brighter.