Over the weekend, I moved my “nice” clothes out of the closet I share with my fiancé to make more room for his. I know what you’re thinking: It should be the other way around, right? Because isn’t it the woman who pushes the man out, banishing his belts, button-downs and baseball caps to anywhere other than the master closet. Well, not in our house.
The truth is that I haven’t worn any of my “dressy” clothes since I moved in six months ago. The Theory suits, the BCBG dresses, and the Michael Kors blouses have all hung there sadly, begging me to be worn—very confused about why they’ve been “retired.” I guess I just haven’t had the heart to tell them that ever since I left my career as a television producer to become a full-time writer, it hasn’t made sense to put them on.
When my fiancé first asked my clothes to “move out,” I stood in front of the closet, arms crossed over my chest, looking at my beautiful wardrobe and tried to make a case for why it needed to stay put. But I knew he should be entitled to make room for his business suits that he wears all the time. I knew it. He knew it. Even my clothes knew it.
And then his mouth started to curl up at the corners and he was trying to stifle a laugh (very unsuccessfully) and he said it. “All you wear is your uniform anyway.” Then our eyes fell on the outfit I had on: a pale green, velour, Juicy Couture sweat suit—a.k.a. my uniform.
It’s true. It’s all I wear when I’m writing. Because when your office is down the hall from your bedroom, it pretty much changes everything. I started out wearing sassy outfits. And doing my hair. And wearing makeup. Then slowly, the sassy turned to sloppy when I started choosing comfort over chic. And before I knew it, I became the person I vowed I’d never be. Clad in sweats with her hair in a bun.
But the truth is: I love working from home. I love waking up, making a much-needed pit stop for coffee, and turning on my laptop. I’m excited to put finger to keyboard as I craft chapters, blog posts, and even Facebook status reports (hey we all need a distraction!).
I’m unbelievably lucky to be able to realize my dream of making my living as a writer. And I’d like to say I’ve done some of my best work typing away in my velour. (I have the sweat suit in five different colors!) Liz and I just finished our second novel (woo-hoo!) and I’m now contributing to this blog for Barnes & Noble (double woo-hoo!). I’m happier than I’ve ever been because my job is now my passion. I just may not look that great (SEXY?) while doing it!
xoxo
Lisa Steinke, along with her best friend Liz Fenton, co-authored the chick lit novel I’ll Have Who She’s Having and co-created the popular Chick Lit blog, Chick Lit is Not Dead.
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