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No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up

  • nidhivaghela
  • Sep 11
  • 3 min read

You wake up. The alarm blares, but you’ve already hit snooze three times. Your bed feels like a cozy, magnetic force field, and the thought of leaving its warm embrace is almost painful. Today, your to-do list seems less like a manageable set of tasks and more like a towering mountain of "nope." You feel… blah.

The art of showing up, makes a difference!
The art of showing up, makes a difference!

We've all been there. It’s those days when your motivation is on vacation and your energy is running on empty. On days like these, the popular advice to “get up, dress up, and show up” can feel a bit cheesy, like a line from a motivational poster. But what if there’s a deeper truth to this little mantra? What if it's not about pretending you're a superhero but about a small act of rebellion against the gravity of a bad mood?


The "Get Up" Part: Fighting the First Battle

Getting out of bed is often the hardest part of the day. It's the first major decision you make, and it sets the tone. On a day when you’re feeling down, your brain is trying to convince you that staying put is the safest option. It whispers, "Just one more hour," or "What's the point?" But the simple act of putting your feet on the floor is a powerful statement. It says, "I'm in control of my body, even if I'm not in control of my feelings."

It's not about jumping out of bed with a huge smile. It’s about a small, intentional action. Just get up. Drag yourself to the bathroom. Splash some cold water on your face. This first step breaks the cycle of inertia. You've won the first battle of the day, and that's a huge victory.


The "Dress Up" Part: Don't Just Get Dressed, Get Ready

You might think, "Why bother? I'm just working from home" or "I'm only running to the grocery store." But "dressing up" isn't about wearing a three-piece suit or a ball gown. It's about putting on clothes that make you feel like a person who is ready to face the world, not just someone hiding from it.

Think about the difference between a ratty t-shirt with a coffee stain and a clean, comfortable outfit you actually like. When you put on clothes that make you feel good, you send a signal to your brain: "We are preparing for action." It’s a psychological trick that works wonders. Putting on a nice shirt, a pair of jeans that fit well, or even your favorite hoodie can elevate your mood. It's about self-respect. You are telling yourself that you are worth the effort, no matter how you feel.


The "Show Up" Part: Being Present, Even When You Don’t Want To

This is the final, and most crucial, step. "Show up" means being present in your life, even when you're tempted to check out. It means going to that meeting, grabbing coffee with a friend, or tackling that project you've been avoiding. It's not about being the life of the party; it's about being in the room.

Showing up when you feel like a mess is a radical act of courage. It’s about being authentic. You don’t have to pretend you're feeling great. You can say, "Hey, I'm a bit off today, but I'm here." Just being there, physically and mentally, can be enough. And often, once you are there, something amazing happens. The momentum of the day takes over. You might get lost in a conversation, find a solution to a problem, or simply realize that the world didn't end just because you were having a bad day.


The Magic of the Mantra


The magic of “get up, dress up, and show up” isn't about faking happiness. It's about taking small, tangible steps to change your state. It’s a tool for moments when your mind is telling you to retreat and you need a simple plan of action. This isn’t about being a flawless person who is always on. It's about being a human who chooses to keep moving, one step at a time, even when it’s hard.

So, the next time you wake up and your energy is low, just remember these three steps. Get up. Put on something that makes you feel ready. And then, just show up. You might be surprised at what happens next. The day might not turn into a perfect one, but you'll have proven to yourself that you are capable of showing up for yourself, no matter how you feel. And that's a feeling that’s worth getting out of bed for.


Thank you for reading!!

Do let me know your thoughts on getting dressed up for a party or even office. Remember style is a way to say who you are without having to speak

 
 
 

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