The Midlife Feast
The Midlife Feast
#169: Style, Not Size: Dressing for the Life You’re Living with Jacquelyn Prattipati
If your closet feels like a battlefield and getting dressed has turned into a daily reminder that your body isn’t the same as it used to be, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by personal stylist Jacquelyn Prattipati, who helps women in midlife rediscover confidence and comfort through clothes that fit the body (and the life) they have now.
We’re talking about what “feeling put together” really means, why style has nothing to do with size, and how to stop waiting for a smaller body to wear what you love. You’ll walk away with practical tips for finding clothes that fit today’s body, letting go of the “someday jeans,” and remembering that your body isn’t the problem, your clothes just need to catch up.
Want to learn more about body image in midlife?
🎙Episode 109 - The Body Acceptance Mistake That's Keeping you Stuck in The Suck
Learn more about Jacquelyn at www.jgpstyledme.com and on Instagram at @jgpstyledme
What did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!
📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife.
Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links
Welcome to the Midlife Feast, the podcast that helps you make sense of your body, your health, and menopause in the messy middle of midlife. I'm Dr. Jen Selie Pieper, intuitive eating dietitian and naturopathic doctor, and author of Eat to Thrive During Menopause. Around here, we don't see midlife and menopause as problems to solve, but as invitations to live with more freedom, trust, and joy. Each week you'll hear real conversations and practical strategies to help you feel like yourself again, eat without guilt, and turn midlife from a season of survival into a season of thriving. I'm so glad you're here. Let's dig in. Have you ever said, I have nothing to wear, nothing fits, I don't know what to buy anymore, my favorite jeans don't fit the way that they used to. Then you're probably going to enjoy this episode with Jacqueline Prethipatty, who's a personal stylist. And she works specifically with women in midlife so that they can just kind of figure out their style and be able to find maybe a bit more confidence and ease with getting dressed. And, you know, I often say that clothes serve more than just the obvious purpose of we can't walk around naked. What we wear does influence how we feel when we step out into the world. But I really like the idea of shifting why we wear something from trying to impress someone else or trying to control what someone thinks of us. And we talk about what it means to be put together in that kind of conversation, but really kind of shifting from that I'm dressing for someone else to I'm dressing for myself. And I know that I'm a, I can be pretty rigid in like what I usually wear, what I reach for, because it's what I'm used to. It's what's comfortable, it's what I know. I joke about how if I find a t-shirt that I like, I buy, you know, five of them and at least two of them in black because that's just easy. Um, which she, you know, says is okay. But I just wanted to have this conversation with Jacqueline because we're all struggling in some way with a changing body because that's what human bodies do. They change. And you don't have to feel resigned to being frumpy or resigned to wearing yoga pants and sweats all the time. You can still work on finding a style that is kind and respectful and works with your changing body in midlife. So thanks so much to Jacqueline for joining me. And as always, if you have questions about this or you're trying to figure out kind of how do I learn to accept this changing body and that is different than resignation, I'm gonna link to a very important podcast about that below. But if you need help with that, just reach out because that's what I really love helping women do is learning to feel confident in the body that you have today and helping you feel better in your body so that you can enjoy everything that Midlife has to offer. Hi, Jacqueline. Welcome to the Midlife Feast. Hello, thank you for having me, Jen. So, what we're gonna talk about today is I called it kind of like two versions of the same story, meaning I hear something and you hear something a lot, even though what we do and how we help women, especially who are kind of going through these big feelings around our bodies, is a little bit different. And I'm really excited to kind of talk to you because you have this area of expertise. And, you know, I think that you bring a lot of personal experience to how do we how do we respond to that feeling or event, I guess, of menopause where our body has changed, we don't feel comfortable, we don't recognize who we see in the mirror. And what I hear is what can I do about it? Meaning, like, what can I eat? What is, you know, what how do I change my body? Um, which is a whole other episode. But you probably hear the my body has changed and I don't know how to dress it. I don't know what to wear, clothes aren't fitting the same way. Um, am I right about that assumption?
SPEAKER_01:As I'm nodding, yes, yes, yes to all of this. You are, you are right. I hear this all the time. I think I'm thinking, I'm like, have I heard have I not heard this from a single woman who I've worked with? No, they all go with it and or or struggle with it, I should say. And it may not even be a huge change, you know, it's it's different for everyone, but even the slightest change in their bodies, and I think because it's specifically in this period of life where to your point it is, you know, hormonal and nutrition and all those things, but like they're all the other life pieces too. So it's not just clothing and food and hormones, it's like what else is going on with their life. Um, a lot of women who I work with, they're kind of transitioning into like they had kids who are little little and now, oh, my kids are suddenly in high school, or I'm becoming an empty nester, or I'm retiring and so my life looks different. So it's a lot of those things, it's kind of like the perfect storm, right? Like all these things are happening at once. And it's like, oh, this thing that I maybe at one point in my life had control or a handle on, my style. Now what? What do I do?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it's so true. It's interesting because you know, I used to before we moved, and when I was working in person in a multidisciplinary, you know, healthcare office, it was in many ways easier to dress because there was that uniform of like, you know, the professional kind of look, right? Yes. Um, and I had my usual stores where I knew that I could go in and kind of find something and that kind of stuff. But then transitioning to online essentially only through a pandemic, through menopause. Like I was in late perimenopause when the pandemic started. And by the time we were out of it, I was in full menopause. Um, yeah, and like my kids are older, I'm not running after toddlers. My needs for clothing have changed. Um, and I think my style has changed. But that's a really hard thing when you're not style inclined, as I call it. Like I am not blessed with the fashion gene or the home decorating gene. Like for me, I have a really hard time with that. And I hear that from a lot of other people too. That like I could dress myself before, but now that I have a bigger belly, now that my legs have gotten, you know, smaller because of that redistribution that happens where we go from like an apple to a pear shape, it really does change, or other way around, sorry, where we go from a pear shape to an apple, it changes how we feel in our body and it changes how clothes fit. Right. So, how how do you help people or kind of what comes up when when that conversation is happening with you?
SPEAKER_01:Mm-hmm. Well, I think I think the first step actually is taking a step back to to acknowledge it, right? To acknowledge this is, I'm struggling with this. I'm struggling, I don't know what to do. Um, and then the next step being either you're working with a personal stylist like myself, or or you are taking that time for yourself. If if you're one of the I gotta figure this out and I'm not ready yet to work with someone, it's taking that time and acknowledging first and foremost, this isn't this isn't working. And I'm tired of repeating this same process. Um, and so with my clients, you know, the first thing that I do, no matter who I'm working with, what type of styling package we're working on, it's all about style discovery. Because I think that is like the A number one biggest piece. I can't tell you what to take out of your closet or help you fill, fill holes or any of that until we like, okay, what is it? What do we like? Like, what are we drawn to? What works for our body today? What have we tried in the past that like not working for us anymore? So it's that style discovery piece to really understand, ah, okay, this is this is the vibe I'm going for. Now, how do we get there and achieve it? Um, so I think it's it's it's taking the time for yourself, but also um uh accepting that this happens, right? Like this is a normal thing. This happens. And I think for those women who who hear this or who are already going through this journey on their own, that's like that is a win in and of itself, acknowledging it and doing something about it. I mean, not to go deep down into the personal experience rabbit hole here, but like for me, and I I've written about this on my blog, like when I realized it, it was postpartum. And when I said say postpartum, I mean like the first year, two, maybe three after. Like, how long can you call it that? But I was like, what, like, what is happening here and what am I doing? And I didn't hire a professional. I kind of took the time to do it on my own, which neither one or the other is the better. But like, you know, you really have to like go through the step and acknowledge it and and figure out what is going to work and know this is normal and this is okay.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. Oh my gosh, such great advice. So I want to share something that I hear a lot when women are struggling with getting dressed and get struggling with how to dress themselves. They'll often use the words, I just don't feel put together. Um, I'd love to explore that with you.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, put together. What is that? What does that mean? And and I feel and I feel people who say that, right? Like you you can kind of visualize it, but like if I were to say, what does that mean to you? It's going to be different for everyone. And uh maybe a bit of a hot take, but I think oftentimes what it really translates to, even though it's different for everyone, is people are gonna see me. If if I'm put together, I'm going to be seen, I'm going to be visible. And I think deep down, no matter like what stage of of life you are, like that that freaks people out, right? Like I'm gonna be seen, I might be judged, what are people gonna say? Because it's kind of like on the one hand, you know, you see the women who you who you dub in your mind as the put together women, right? They look like they've got it all together, but oh my gosh, if I'm like that, like what is what is that going to feel like being visible? And you know, is it gonna be who does she think she is? Why are you so dressed up? I've gotten that one before. Why are you so dressed up? Because this is how I want to dress, like this is what I wear, right?
SPEAKER_00:Michael, say that to me if I answer the door and I'm not in yoga pants.
SPEAKER_01:Why exactly or don't you dare wear a dress during the week? What are you doing? Like, where are you going? Um, so yeah, so I think I think it's really about visibility and like you know, society and like keeping women small. You don't you don't want to be seen, you want to be careful, or like, you know, feeling put together or like this idea of like my wardrobe's fine, or it works, or I'm not going anywhere, I'm not, I'm not these things, and therefore I don't need to look this way. So I think it's it's you know, there's a lot more to clothes than clothes, but at the same time, like it is also it's just clothes, right? Like, yeah, accept accept how you want to be.
SPEAKER_00:I think another kind of angle around that is that if I feel put together, I also feel like I have some control over what people will think about me. Exactly. You know, and that's often the motivation that people have for wanting to lose weight or wanting to look a certain way, is because if I look this way, then I can manage somebody else's opinion of me. I'm controlling the narrative, right? And that's that's a really you can't maintain that because we can't control other people's opinions. So just like anything that you do with your body, for your body, about your body really needs to be for you. Right. Exactly. I'm assuming the same thing is for clothing. Like it has to be about us, not others.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, and you have to like be willing to step into that and own your and and own it. So I do think part of it too is like the control piece that you just spoke to, you're hitting the nail on the head because like you want it, but when you have it, what are you like what is it gonna feel like? Oh gosh, then I am in control. But I think like what sometimes people miss, and it's like if if you could just see what it looks like when you get to the other side, is like, oh, it feels so much better. Like there's this relief, right? Like, I this is what I want to show up as, this is what I want to wear, and like kind of organically, like the visibility happens, but you don't feel it in a way of like I'm under a microscope, and you know, you you feel a lot like I hate to use the word confidence because this it gets thrown around so much, so much in like styling, but like because I I can't make you confident, but I can show you like how to dress yourself that makes you feel good, and you in essence feel that confidence.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. So what would be so here's like another kind of common scenario, and I certainly have been there in the past as well, um, is because let's say a certain style or brand of clothing fit me for the first 40 years of my life, you know, everybody has like their favorite genes from their favorite brand or whatever it is. But maybe now you because your body has changed and the proportions may be changing, not only the size or the shape or whatever, and also maybe your style has changed, you're defaulting to going back to looking for those genes or trying those genes, maybe even in a bigger size, but they just don't fit the same way. And I hear a lot of people say, I keep buying this stuff and hoping that something is magically gonna change. And sometimes even if their body does change or get smaller, it still doesn't fit the way that they want it to. So that's kind of like being in a, I guess, like a rut, right? So that um, but they're finding it challenging, I guess, to maybe shift their thoughts about how to how to dress or what to look for. It I mean, is that something that you hear too? All the time.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. And something that I talk about quite a bit is yes, your body changes, size changes, you know, so you may want to look at different silhouettes, but also like let's just call it what it is as far as sizing in women's clothing is concerned. Zero consistency. I mean, in my own closet, in my clients' closets, the breadth of sizing you have, because there's there's no consistency. So, like, yes, I I hear that from my clients, and like I think, you know, kind of I was saying before, like, one of the first things is like just accepting that this is a thing, but also like the sooner you can get out of the mentality of like, oh, I used to be a size, blah, blah, blah. And now, oh my God, now I have to try on this. Okay, and then what? It's okay. Like, you have to like get over that mental hurdle of like size and numbers and being big or being small. And you do have to explore new things. Like, and that's that is one of the things that I think is great about, you know, working with a personal stylist is this is what we do for our job. So I know the brands that work for different body, body shapes and and body types. Um, and I can really help women explore that. I'm working with someone now, and you know, sh that was one of her big things. Like, I need to find some new things, new places because what I have had before doesn't work for me anymore. Okay, then that might mean it's time to like branch out and look at something else. And that can be fun and exciting, right? Like, look at instead of looking at it from the lens of like, oh, this thing is happening to me, like, oh, this is cool. Like, I get to do all these new things. Like, what might there be waiting for me, right? Fashion-wise, style-wise.
SPEAKER_00:And I think that's, I mean, that can definitely be fun. Um, you know, and I've I've done a little bit of that too, and realizing that because my limited scope of, you know, clothing brands and things like that has always been focused on like one particular style, which is like kind of casual slash alternating with professional depending on the day, but realizing that there's a whole world out there, right? But one of the things that comes up a lot when I'm doing especially like body image work with people who are going through these body changes, and what you said about how we get attached to this who we are as a size, or like I've always been a size X, whatever that is, right? In that story that comes up is what brings up all the feelings about it. So if we are able to kind of step out of that story for a moment and be like, okay, is it actually true that people are supposed to say the same size? Like, is there any actual value or meaning to your body not changing? No, but the story that we have is that there's something wrong, that we've done something wrong, that this is a problem to fix. So if we can kind of like externalize that a little bit and just be like, my body has changed. A human body is a changing body. Menopause is one of the times in our life when bodies are more likely to change. So it doesn't mean anything that I'm not the same size that I was 20 years ago. Right. Then I think it's a lot easier to be like, oh, okay, how can I be curious about what the next step is instead of feeling stuck in trying to fix the problem? Exactly. Um, that's kind of I think the connection to body image and recognizing that maybe doing like working with a stylist and also working with someone who can help you with that narrative in your head about your body, I think could go really hand in hand.
SPEAKER_01:I absolutely agree. And when I hear you say that, one of the things I think about, which I've shared before, um, is like that that is a big hurdle for anyone to get past, right? Like that acceptance of like, and to your point, like this is what's supposed to happen. Like, let's let that be and let's externalize that. One of the things that helped me though was like, okay, you're feeling down on yourself right now. You're feeling like, ugh, I've put on weight, I'm carrying more weight in my middle, whatever it is for any individual person. But if you, if you like actually go back and look at other times in your life where you felt that way, right? And look at if you have photos, look at those photos. Like, okay, did anything bad or wrong happen? How like that's never like kept me from anything. Like you can step out of that. Like, okay, you didn't feel great, and you've moved like life still goes on, right? And again, not to like minimize the food that you put in your mouth or the clothes that you put on your body, but like in the big scheme of things, these are somewhat uh minor things. Like it's okay. And that's why I kind of think like style is like a safe place to experiment. Yes, there's the cost of clothing, potentially the cost of working with someone, but you're in control that you decide what you want to spend, right? But it is a safe way to be like, okay, I'm gonna try this. Let's see, let's see what happens. Do I like this? Do I not? And and then you do have that control, like you were speaking to, right?
SPEAKER_00:So let's talk about how to get out of the what to wear what. Because again, maybe if you're not feeling confident or comfortable in your body because it's changing, maybe because you have, like me, just this like basic style, what feels like a basic style, and you're just always buying the same things. So, like I'm a hundred percent guilty of if I find a t-shirt that I like, I will buy it in multiple colors and at least two of them in black because I wear black a lot. So to me, that feels easy, but I can also be like, uh, it's also not necessarily like as fun as I think I might like it to be. But that what to wear rut and not wanting to spend a lot of time deciding what to wear and how to shop, like how do how do you help people or how can people get out of that?
SPEAKER_01:Again, I think a lot of it is well, well, first of all, before I answer that, let's go back for a second. What you just named that you did, but do you like it?
SPEAKER_00:Do you feel comfortable in those things? I do. When I buy, if I buy more than one, I it's because I love it. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:There's half your battle, right? Like, and I think that's so important to acknowledge, like, you're you're doing the thing, right? Like, okay, I know that I do this, and also this is how I like to show up.
unknown:Yeah. Great.
SPEAKER_00:Yay, me.
SPEAKER_01:As far good job, Jeff. As so far, though, as far as like how do you get out of that rut, I don't want to feel like I'm saying the same thing over and over again, but I feel like it is, you gotta have an open mind and you have to try it, right? Um, I actually literally just before we hopped on this call, um, one of my clients who is based in Austin, which is where I used to live, she sent me one of her stories that she just posted on Instagram, wearing a pair of wide-length jeans. And she was like, Oh, you know, this is the first day I don't have a lot of clients I'm working with. I'm going to this thing. I got dressed up. I love this. I love these jeans. And I and I said to her, I'm like, Do you remember when we looked at these jeans and you were like, oh, I always feel more comfortable and skinny. I don't know if can I do this? Can I wear these? And here she is, now like rocking it, owning it. So a lot of it is like experimenting and allowing yourself to try those things. And that's kind of what we go through. Um, like I was talking about earlier with this style discovery process with new clients. There's like a little bit of homework that they all have to do before you know we start working together. And we get together and we kind of talk through that images of outfits they like, if there are celebrities whose style they like. But we get into the detail of like, what is it about this that you like? So then I can kind of understand, okay, no, she is not this person, she doesn't have this body type, et cetera. But how do we weave those elements into things that she can try that work for her body, that work for her lifestyle?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. Yeah. And I think that um a lot of times we get stuck when we see a style in somebody, then we're like, oh my gosh, I love how that looks, but I could never wear that. Or that's not my body type, that kind of thing. You know, if you're not style inclined, I guess it's really easy to just like not even consider how to make that something to try on. Right. And I'm assuming that I'm probably like not alone in that, but also wrong, right? Like that all styles can be adapted.
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely. And that's what it's all about is making it your own. Um, I don't know, I'm sure you know Katie Storino. She's written a lot of books. She's got that awesome mega babe line. She does a whole series on this on Instagram. It's like how she supers, I think she calls it supersizing the look.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, of course she does.
SPEAKER_01:Where she'll take, I mean, a lot of times she is doing the exact look, but it is like taking elements. So you don't it, you're not meant to be exactly the same. But like, and that's what I was saying. Like when we go through the style discovery, it's like, what is it about this that you like? Because sometimes you may be drawn to something, you know, what whatever the outfit outfit may be. And it's like, oh, but I just like this color combination. Oh, cool. Well, then let's try that color combination. Or, you know, like little details that women add to their outfits that that people see that they're like, oh, how could I ever do that? Like scarves, for example. Oh, I don't know, could I could I ever wear a scarf? Yep, you sure can. Like, let's try it. Let's put it on here, all the different ways that you can tie it. And guess what? If you don't feel comfortable or you don't like it, you just you just take it off. And then you know, I'm not really feeling this. Does this doesn't work for me today?
SPEAKER_00:That's awesome. So let's just say that somebody is listening to this and is thinking, like, okay, I want to get out of this rut. I want to kind of find a style. You know, if I were to think about this as like food, I would say like a pattern of eating that works for me, right? Like a style that maybe gets me out of a funk with clothing and just feeling like more comfortable in my body. Because that, you know, really I think that's the point of clothing is that, you know, to help us feel safe and comfortable going out into the world. What would be some of the first steps? Like, what can someone do today that would maybe like be one step towards that?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. I would say the first step, the quick and easy first step that anyone can take is think about, let's call it three to five outfits that you have that you feel amazing in. Like what you get that little pep in your step, like you are feeling yourself in that outfit. What is that? What are those outfits? And then how can you like it's the idea of using that as like your uniform or your outfit formula? How can you then adjust it? Okay, so let's say, like this client I was just talking about. Okay, so she's got these wide-leg jeans she really likes. She had a fitted t-shirt on and she had like a um a loose flowing like top layer. Okay, so maybe instead of doing a wide-leg jean, let's try like a wide-leg corduroy pant for autumn. And instead of doing like this lightweight layering piece, let's try putting on a knit blazer. Like, what are ways that you can kind of build on what you already know is working for you? So that you then have like this uh, you know, it's like this this variety, this wardrobe full of pieces that you're like, oh, I can these things work together and here's how I can interchange them.
SPEAKER_00:Yes. Now, can I be the devil's advocate here? Because I know that somebody is feeling or thinking, but I have nothing that I feel that way in. Yeah. What's the first step for that person?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think, you know, again, I would kind of go back to the idea of like taking the time to look at like things that you are drawn to. And then it is going to be a matter of like experimenting, right? You are going to have, and I am a big proponent of ordering things online and and not going into a store. Oh my goodness. Like, there's so when you have the internet, like you've got everything at your disposal, and so many places are free shipping, free returns. So I would say try things, like look at things that appeal to you. And and you know, this is part of it, right? Like part of it is just taking the time and being willing to try the things. So, like, the pick one or two things that you are drawn to. I keep going back to like wide leg jeans, but it's like such a thing right now when we're in denim season, right? So if it's something that you're drawn to and you're the person who's like, I am really intrigued by those, but I don't know. You have to try it. So it's like taking that first step to allow yourself to try the thing that appeals to you, and you never know what might happen.
SPEAKER_00:I love that. I also suggest um taking an opinionated teenager. Um I was recently when I was moving my oldest daughter to Scotland, um, and I was on the hunt for some new jeans. I took her with me and went to Marks and Spencer because they just have such a wide range of jeans. Um and as I was looking at them, she was like, No, mom, wide leg, wide leg, mom, wide leg. And you know, and it's like, oh yeah, because you know, wide leg was certainly part of our style 25 years ago. I love it. And it took me a long time to come around to the narrow leg, you know, skinny gene. Um, and there's a bit of resistance to that change because it's just kind of what I got used to. But to your point about online ordering, and people will have heard me say this before, especially if you've worked with me for body image counseling. You know, when you're ordering clothes, buying two or three sizes. Thank you. Yes. When you can. Obviously, that's uh, you know, not everybody can do that, but if you can, or going to the store and taking two or three sizes with you. But if you're trying them on at home, my other tip, and I don't know what you think of this, is don't try them on in front of the mirror first. Try them on in a room, away from the mirror, notice how you feel in them, sit down, bend over, whatever, and notice just like, is it comfortable? Yes. Because that has to be, at least I think, if we're talking about like body kindness and respect and feeling comfortable in our bodies, you have to feel comfortable. It can definitely look good. Yes.
SPEAKER_01:I love that tip. And it reminds me of um, I used to do quite a bit of volunteering with dress for success. And we, they rather do not have there are no mirrors in their fitting rooms. Because the idea is you put on the outfit, you see how you feel. Then they come out of the fitting room, there's the the full-length mirror on the wall, and then okay, how does it look? Yes, a million percent yes to that. And to your point regarding the sizing, you have to, you have to try multiple sizes because again, not only going back to what I was saying earlier about sizing having zero consistency anymore, different silhouettes are gonna fit you differently, different brands are gonna fit you differently, and that is okay, and that should just prove to you that like sizing does not matter. Like, pick what fits and what feels good on your body.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. And it really is that that mental emotional attachment to the sizing, I think. Oh my gosh, the biggest hurdle. I don't know if you experienced this because you've also recently moved to Europe. Um, but when I moved, one of the things that I, of course, wasn't used to was European sizing. But I also had no point of reference or context. So when I first ordered something, um, I literally ordered like I think five sizes of something because I had no idea. Of course, I looked up the relative reference chart. Sure. But now having shopped in Canada, the US, the EU, and the UK, I can tell you that like sizes are random almost. Yeah. There really is like just a story from shopping. I bought two pairs of jeans at Marks and Spencer, two different sizes. Because one, the silhouette of one versus the silhouette of the other. Right. What's a different?
SPEAKER_01:And isn't that so freeing? Because I actually just had my first experience shopping here as well. And I did it online, which I don't know, maybe double-edged sword here. Cause I'm like, I really don't know what I'm doing size-wise. But it you are exactly right. I did the same thing. I'm like, I think it's this, and I got it. And yes, the label says this letter, but I'm like, okay, cool. It fits really well. Oh, I like it. Like, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:So it that really reinforces that it's like the story, right? Like it's that experience of being attached to that clothing, of what that means, of having that point of reference of like what is a good size versus a bad size of these clothes for anyone listening. Um, but I find it really freeing because now I have much less attachment to any sizes. Even when I go back to Canada now, I'm like, whatever. It's like just I often will not even look at the size, I'm just looking at the shape. Right. Kind of like, does this look about right? Yeah. Um, and I think that that can be helpful too.
SPEAKER_01:And and and and attempting to like squeeze yourself into something that doesn't fit, like to be a size you think you need to be, you're going to feel worse. Yeah. And you you can like that is how you're presenting yourself. You know what I mean? Like you can tell when, like I said before, you can tell when someone is like feeling good about what they're wearing versus like, oh gosh, I have to keep like these pants. I'm like fidgeting with them, or you know, whatever the case is. What is the point of that?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. Oh my gosh, this has been an amazing discussion. Thank you so much for bringing you know your personal, your professional experience. And I I love kind of the tips for people to get started. Um now here's the question: What do you think is the missing ingredient in midlife?
SPEAKER_01:The missing ingredient in midlife. So this is kind of interesting. I'm sure you've seen, as many of your listeners have probably also seen, there are all these like memes and things online about how when you're in midlife, that you have no more blank to give. Like you like own who you are, what you are. But when you are like in midlife regarding style and your fashion, like, but are you like if you're if like you see those memes and you get really fired up and you're like, yeah, okay, but then you have like carry that over into your fashion, like and and going with that open-mindedness of like accepting what you like, right? Like allowing yourself to like the things that you like and and block out the outside outside noise, be it trends or sizes or whatever those things are, block that all out and like have that in the back of your mind. Like, I am in midlife, I don't, you know, I don't give any, and I'm owning it. And I'm wearing this because I like it, it's comfortable. This is how I want to show up. That's amazing.
SPEAKER_00:Um, if people want to learn more from you, we'll have lots in the show notes. Um, but where can they find you? You're on Instagram?
SPEAKER_01:I am on Instagram, JGP StyledMe. Um, yeah, website, JGPstylledme.com.
SPEAKER_00:Perfect. Thanks so much for joining me for this conversation and have a great day, everyone. Thanks, Jen. Thanks for joining me for this episode of the Midlife Feast. If you're ready to take the next step towards thriving in midlife, head to menopause nutritionist.ca to learn more about my one-to-one and group coaching programs, free resources, and where to get your copy of Eat to Thrive during menopause. And if you've loved today's conversation and found it helpful, please share it with a friend who needs to hear this and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps so many more people just like you find their way to food freedom and midlife confidence. Until next time, remember midlife is not the end of the story, it's the feast. Let's savor it together.
