Archive for April 2023

How Your Wardrobe Affects Your Mood and Feelings

by Ayesha Sohail

Whether on purpose or not, our clothes frequently mirror our feelings. Personally, what I wear greatly relies on how I feel. Feeling assured and in control? I dress in athletic gear and pull my hair back. Prepared for a special evening? I decide on something endearing and alluring. Cozy sweatpants are my go-to outfit when I'm looking for comfort.

The Journal of Experimental Psychology claims that the clothing we wear can directly affect our feelings and mood. According to studies, when people change their dress style, over 96% of people perceive a change in emotion. Clothing signals, such as a large cheerful face on a t-shirt or sweatshirt, have been demonstrated to increase enjoyment and relaxation. It has been discovered that dressing in gym clothes when you get up increases motivation for exercise.

The Connection between Clothing and Mood

Both psychologists and researchers have long been fascinated by the connection between clothing and moods. For instance, cozy and plush fabrics like cashmere or silk can inspire thoughts of coziness and ease, whilst striking and vibrant patterns can inspire excitement and vigor.

Most of the time, we choose our clothing according to our mood. In other words, even when we're feeling bad, we put on a cheery jumper and a joyful smile. It also works! That is especially true if we are dressed in attire that has previously brought us compliments or pleasant recollections.

It's widely understood in the business world that dressing appropriately is key to achieving success. The idea suggests that wearing clothing that exudes professionalism and confidence might improve work output and career success.

The researchers discovered that donning clothing that signifies a superior social position not only enhances one's psychological well-being but also heightens their sense of dominance and job proficiency in situations where competition is present. Astonishingly, wearing a suit or power clothing not only boosts our confidence levels but also triggers the release of hormones required for exhibiting dominance, making us more effective negotiators and abstract thinkers.

How Does the Color of Your Clothing Affect Your Mood?

‘’The color of our clothing acts as an indication to others; it informs them of who we are.’’

· Black - Authority (repetitive use may indicate low vitality or negative emotions)

· White - Emotional clarity, cleanliness, freshness, purity, concentration

· Red - Thrill, sensuality (excessive use may indicate a desire for external approval)

· Yellow – Joyfulness

· Dark Blue - Steadiness, reliability (excessive use may also indicate feelings of sadness)

· Light Blue - Calmness, professionalism

· Green - Restorative, calming (overuse of certain shades of green may indicate jealousy)

· Orange - Vigor, eagerness

· Pink - Love and Affection

· Brown - Groundedness, dependability (excessive use may indicate feelings of inadequacy)

· Purple - Spirituality, mysticism

Final Words

The psychology of clothes is a unique and attention-grabbing subject that explains the complex connection between what we wear and how we feel. Our sartorial decisions have the capacity to influence our emotions, self-expression, and confidence. We may empower ourselves to create a wardrobe that reflects our actual selves and improves our mental well-being by knowing the psychology of clothing.

Featured Interview

Pastor Tymesia Butcher, author of Embracing Me, Embracing Me 30 Day Devotional for Women, and The Power of Worship: Unlocking Heaven, is married to the love of her life, Pastor Tony Butcher. They’ve been blessed with two beautiful children, Javon and Angel. They are the founding pastors of Building Faith Christian Center in Gaston, NC.

Pastor Tymesia is an intercessor, prophetic praise and worship psalmist and songwriter, mentor, preacher/teacher, and a 23-year veteran in the secular arena.

Growing up, what did you think you were going to be?

I grew up aspiring to be a teacher. My sister and I always played “school”, taking turns being the teacher, which sparked a passion for teaching. While attending Elizabeth City State University, the passion I once had for teaching dissipated. I was quite indecisive, changing majors four different times; from Computer Science to Math, to Business Education, and ultimately graduating with a BS degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Though the passion dissipated, after a few years in the field of social work, the desire to teach came back around full circle.

How did you get started? What made you decide "this" is what I'm doing?

Many times God allows circumstances to birth gifts we didn’t know existed. I never sought to become an author, but God began giving me downloads concerning a movie. This sparked a major interest in writing. Shortly after He had given me this movie, I found myself in a place in my life where the enemy began to attack my worth; a place where I questioned my Kingdom-Identity. From this broken place, the Father began to instruct me on how to embrace whom He says I am. It was from this place that Embracing Me was birthed.

With all that you do, whom are you trying to reach most; who do you help/assist?

I am an author who has been mandated to help those who are uncertain of their Kingdom-Identity to come to the knowledge of whom God has called them to be and to function, unapologetically from that place. I have also been mandated to teach others how to worship God HIS way through intimacy with Him. The mantle has been placed upon me to invite others to engage in perpetual intimacy with the Father which opens portals to greater realms of His Glory.

Sometimes when an organization gets larger there can be a tendency for the “passion” to dampen – how do you keep this from happening?

I have to remember what sparked the passion in the first place. What was it that excited me about what I’ve been called to do? I also keep at the forefront of my mind that God Himself trusted me to carry out the idea. Because He has made me trustee, I must passionately carry it out. At the moment the fire attempts to die out, I ask the Father to recharge, restore and replenish me. This keeps the passion from dampening.

What are you committed to as a leader?

I’m committed to leading with integrity, love, and compassion. In any role of leadership, these characteristics are paramount in keeping and boosting the morale of those you’re leading.

This issue is about mindset. What does #mindsetmatters mean to you?

For me, #Mindsetmatters means that the outcome or results of anything we do or fail to do encompass how we think. Every mindset yields a specific action characteristic of that mindset, yielding results indicative of that mindset.

How should Christian entrepreneurs and business leaders define success?

As a Christian entrepreneur and business leader, success for me is not simply predicated on how much revenue is generated. I define success as the desire to partner with the Father to bring HIS vision into the earth. Every idea birthed in the earth was given by the Father, so our partnership with Him allows His ideas released from Heaven through us to merge into the earth, “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. So success for me is seeing the manifestation of the idea come alive in the earth.

To read the full interview visit https://passionaire.magcloud.com/

By Dominique Aulds

As women, we often hear messages that suggest we can't have it all. We're told that we must choose between a successful career and a fulfilling personal life and that we can't have both. But what if we didn't have to choose? What if we could follow our dreams and work with passion, and still have a happy and satisfying personal life?

The truth is, following your dreams and working with passion is possible, but it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. If you're willing to put in the effort, however, the rewards can be incredible.

The first step towards following your dreams is to identify what they are. Take some time to reflect on what you're passionate about, what makes you happy, and what you're good at. These are often the things that can lead you toward your dream career.

Once you've identified your dreams, the next step is to make a plan. This might involve going back to school, starting your own business, or finding a mentor who can help guide you toward your goals. Whatever your plan is, it's important to break it down into small, manageable steps that you can take each day.

Of course, following your dreams is not always easy. There will be setbacks and obstacles along the way, but it's important to stay focused and keep pushing forward. Remember why you started and keep your eye on the prize.

One of the keys to success in following your dreams is to surround yourself with supportive people. Seek out mentors and peers who can provide guidance and encouragement when you need it most. These people can help keep you motivated and accountable, and they can also provide valuable feedback and advice.

Another important factor in following your dreams is taking care of yourself. It's easy to get so caught up in pursuing our goals that we neglect our physical and emotional well-being. But if we don't take care of ourselves, we won't have the energy or mental clarity to pursue our dreams.

Make time for exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation. Take breaks when you need them, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. By taking care of yourself, you'll be better equipped to handle the challenges that come with following your dreams.

Ultimately, following your dreams and working with passion is about creating a life that is meaningful and fulfilling. It's about using your talents and skills to make a positive impact on the world, and about finding joy and satisfaction in the work that you do.

As women in leadership, we have the power to inspire others to follow their dreams and pursue their passions. By sharing our stories and supporting one another, we can create a world where women are empowered to achieve their goals and make a difference in their communities.

So, if you're thinking about following your dreams, don't be afraid to take that first step. With hard work, dedication, and a little bit of courage, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.