Here’s a big secret that most people probably won’t admit — life isn’t about having your shit together, it’s about making it seem like you have your shit together sometimes.
That’s right, baybee, big surprise that life is about appearances and tons of smoke and mirrors … no one really knows what’s going on nor do they always know what to do and how to do it. Because of this chaos, sometimes presenting an image of someone who knows what they’re doing comes in handy.
Plus, “fake it ’til you make it” works some of the time, I think. Personally, when I am projecting the image of having my shit together, I often feel more polished and prepared to take on the world.
Here are some tips for making it seem like you have your shit together!
Get rid of the “Sent from my iPhone” email signature and write yourself a real one
This takes about five minutes and it will make the difference on every email you send from your phone and from your computer!
A good email signature should include your job title, a link to your website, and perhaps some links to your social media pages or your company, depending on your job and what purpose this email account generally serves.
My email signature typically just includes my full name, a link to my blog/portfolio (which, admittedly, is dreadfully out of date — I do not claim to be perfect), and a few socials. My work email is my company, job title, etc.
Even if you don’t have a job or a need for an email signature, be sure to go into your email settings and cut that “Sent from my iPhone” auto signature … it will make any email look 10 times less sloppy.
Focus on having at least one element of your look polished on any given day
Perhaps you have a wonderful outfit and have slacked on your hair and makeup. Or, maybe your nails look amazing but your hair has seen better days (and should see a shampoo that is not dry shampoo).
Having just one element of your overall look (ie: outfit, makeup, nails, hair) can make you seem incredibly put together, even if you aren’t. Personally, I enjoy doing my makeup each day and that’s my one polished element … especially since my hair is often a bit messy and sometimes I just give up on it.
Keep tissues, bandaids, safety pins, and a stain-remover pen in your bag
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. I also always keep a tissue or two in my pocket, since you just never know when you or someone around you might need one.
Get your basic measurements and save them in your phone
Measure your hips, waist, and bust with a tape measure and write those measurements in a note! You’ll never have to guess your measurements when shopping online, and you’ll be more likely to get clothing that fits properly
I can’t tell you how many times I have measured my body only to forget the measurements a few weeks later when I needed to order something online once again.
It’s also handy to write down your usual sizes for many of your go-to brands, like your size in ModCloth dresses or Old Navy jeans.
Wait to complain about something until it’s actually a problem
I fail at this every single day! But, boy, if you don’t turn every molehill into a mountain you’ll surely seem a bit more polished.
I’ve found that, sometimes, if I wait even a few minutes before messaging a complaint to a coworker or texting a massive rant to my boyfriend, the problem I thought was going to be catastrophic ends up being a mild annoyance instead.
Will I still complain? Perhaps! But will I seem a bit more like I’ve got it together by being less dramatic and a bit patient? Sure!
Get rid of your clothes that are wildly pilled, stained, and ripped
Although I’m great at tossing clothes that are ripped beyond repair or are permanently stained, I’m terrible at saying farewell to pilled clothing that even a fabric shaver can’t save.
But, honestly, pilled clothing doesn’t look too polished … so tossing it isn’t the worst thing. You could also consider keeping it and just adding it to your lounging-around-the-house-only wardrobe instead I won’t judge.
Drop pins for places you love in your Google Maps
This will make it so easy to be that person who says really polished, helpful things like “Oh, let’s meet at this cute spot downtown that I’ve been to a few times” or “I know a few great bars around here!”
Whenever I visit somewhere in the city that I enjoy, I drop a pin and label it as Dessert/Treat, Coffee/Cafe, Bars, or Food. Now, whenever I’m headed to any area I always have a few spots I can recommend or suggest. How polished is that?
Arrive on time … and let someone know as soon as possible if you’re going to be late
Timeliness is important and it can make someone seem quite organized. On a similar note, being the kind of person who lets someone know as soon as you’re going to be held up at work or are stuck in traffic is considerate and polite.
Keep track of your achievements at work, and occasionally share them with your boss
I love doing this because it reminds me that I’m good at my job on days when I feel like I’m at a loss or struggling.
Plus, I love being able to share this with my bosses during my yearly reviews … or even just when I’m feeling like showing off some achievements.
It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in (or even if you don’t have one at all) — whenever you do something you’re proud of, make a note of it and keep track. This is also very handy for if and when you’re ever asked, “What are some of your greatest achievements?”
Get a glass screen protector so your phone looks like its always in its prime
A cracked screen can easily make you seem like you do not have your shit together, but by getting a glass screen protector (which costs $20 or less), you can simply peel off the broken screen and pop a new, clean one on.
Pros: You won’t have to pay to replace a whole-ass phone screen (which is very expensive) at the Apple store or other phone shop, and you won’t have to use a phone with a damaged screen for very long
Cons: You’ll have to actually remember to purchase and replace these screens (I’m currently doing a terrible job, my glass screen protector is cracked and has been for months! Don’t do as I do, consider doing as I say).
Keep snacks and basic medications in your bag
Do your future self a favor with this one!
Honestly, the person in any group who says, “Oh, I have [SNACK] in my bag. Do you want some?” or who swoops to the rescue with a, “You have a headache? I have some Advil if you need” is a forever hero who seems to be the most put-together of all, at least, in that moment they do.
And even if you never come to anyone’s rescue, being able to provide yourself with a slightly crushed granola bar at a concert or procure a few Excedrins when you’ve got a migraine at work will make you feel like you’ve really got it together.
Oh, but don’t keep any snacks that may cause a mess in your purse.
Chocolate can melt and bags of pretzels can pop open and distribute crumbs into every crevice of your bag’s interior (ask me how I know!) … don’t judge on this one, but I’ve found that Slim Jims are the best bag snack out there. They have protein, they are small, and they won’t leave chocolate or crumbs in my bag.
Anyway, how’s it going?
