I changed my style — and it changed my life

I can't believe I used to dress like this.

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In a Nutshell I used to wear tight shirts, skinny jeans, heeled booties, and a full face of makeup all the time. I straightened my hair every single day. I refused to wear sneakers like it was a personal branding decision. But the pandemic — more specifically, quarantine — was a turning point for my style. When I wasn't seeing people every day, I realized that I was dressing for others more than for myself. Especially after learning I'm autistic, my sense of "fashion" has adapted over the last few years to align with my needs, and now I'm comfier and more confident than ever before. I'll dive more into this below. For now, I present to you: • What's the best time to take vitamin D? • The 8 worst foods for your teeth • How to get rid of puffy eyes Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota March 8, 2024 • 4 min read

what's got us buzzing My journey to a more sensory-friendly style As a woman, I thought it was expected of me to look a certain way. My mom and grandma never left the house without makeup on. I wasn't allowed to go to school in a hoodie or sweatpants because that seemed "lazy." I dressed in the ways I assumed — and was conditioned to believe — were attractive: tight clothes that highlighted my figure, always trying my best to look "pretty." These were the rules and precedents set for me, which I followed up until about 2020. Quarantined for months on end, I found myself in sweats 24/7. I never put on makeup or did my hair. I had no one to impress! I wasn't worried about anyone else's opinions or validation. And I loved every moment of it. Removing that external factor helped me realize that I've crafted my sense of style solely for others. This realization was liberating and ultimately led me on the journey of rediscovering a sense of fashion that actually felt good to me. Honestly, it never occurred to me that the way I dressed wasn't quite "right." I mean, I'd often feel restricted and uncomfortable in tight clothes, but I'd attribute it to insecurity, a negative self-image, or body dysmorphia. Once I learned about my autistic sensory issues in 2022, that lens shifted toward the real root of the problem: I'm truly uncomfortable wearing certain types of clothing due to the way they feel on my skin. So, what does my closet look like nowadays? Big T-shirts, baggy jeans, oversized hoodies, beanies, and — wait for it — lots of sneakers. I traded in lacy lingerie for sports bras and super soft underwear. I have doubles or triples of my favorite shirts because nothing is more annoying than trying on eight different tops in hopes of finding one that feels right on my body that day. Since this change, my confidence has drastically improved, and I actually like what I look like now — something I never would've said 5 or even 15 years ago. I may not look traditionally "feminine" — some may even argue and say I wear more "masculine" clothes. But that's fine. I don't worry about what anyone else thinks anymore. I dress for myself now.

Great finds The sports bras I live in       Woxer Boss Bralette Woxer gifted me these bralettes almost 1 year ago with no strings attached. Since that day, I've been wearing them every single day of my life. I literally cried when I put them on for the first time because of how good they felt. When I tell you these are the comfiest, most silky soft sports bras I own, I mean it. The elastic band is seamless so it doesn't give me chest pain, and they look cute, too. I also lounge around in their equally cozy boxer shorts. This brand is just my absolute favorite! SHOP NOW Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health.

Who rules the world? Take care of yourself on International Women's Day Happy International Women's Day! "Self-care" is something you hear a lot of these days and means something different to every person. But during Women's History Month, we want to encourage you to go beyond the feel-good moments and products in your beauty routine (as much as we love them) to put preventive healthcare at the top of your to-do list. Staying up to date on your preventive health tests and screenings is one of the best things you can do for your health long-term well-being. Encompassing a set of health services that screen and identify health issues before symptoms develop, preventive healthcare can help you catch chronic conditions like cancer and heart disease before they get serious. Better yet? Most health insurance plans will cover the full cost of your preventive health services, with no co-payments! Are you unsure of tests to prioritize? Our checklist below can help you get started and make the commitment to booking an appointment with your provider. Note: The recommended frequency for many tests and screenings is based on your personal medical history and risk. Talk with your health provider to create an individualized plan and check out the Women's Preventive Services Guidelines and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's site for more details.

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Thank you for reading! Tell me: Do you relate to my experience at all? I'd love to know if your style has changed over the years, especially after quarantining. Email wellnesswire@healthline.com — let's talk.

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