New School Year in the New Normal

For teachers and parents, school year 2020 is anything but business as usual. Right around this time, school boards and superintendents are deciding exactly how to keep everyone safe while educating our nation’s children.

Some schools have opted for a 50/50 split. In other words, half of the population of both staff and students stay home to learn while the other half keep socially distant in the buildings and playgrounds.

And in others still, they are coming to a decision within the next few days.

One thing we know for sure is that this fall is going to come with some changes. For many of us in the teacher or parent camp, we’ve gotten a taste already. Since last spring, we’ve seen what this may look like come Fall. Parents created desk areas on the kitchen tables, started progress charts on the fridge, and teachers held classes through a computer screen.

The New Normal: Students and Working Parents Coexisting

In the New Normal, there seems to be a need for still being presentable and still casual. The setting alone has calmed down expectations. Through talking with customers, I’ve noticed that many (not just teachers) have an adjusted schedule. They have a couple days when they commute to work and the rest of the days are work-from-home.

That means they have needed to beef up their casual and work wardrobe. Work clothes are not so formal these days. There aren’t that many people to impress around the office! And work done from the comfort of the couch needs less structure anyway.

How to Conquer Your Week

Our suggestion is to plan your week of clothes. Know when you’re going out and choose a great outfit. We all know looking good makes us feel good, too. Add a little pep in your step with one of your favorite pieces.

For days at home, this is even more important. Getting dressed crates a mental break or separation. It tells your mind that it wake-up time is over and it is time to get stuff done.

There are so many ways to plan and I could really geek out on you here, but I’ll keep it brief with a few ideas:

• Easiest/Simplest Way: Make a Bulleted List. Just write out your outfits for each day.
• Download an app. Just a little exploring in the App Store and you’ll find a planning tool for organizing your closet and wardrobing.
• Create your own gallery. Any (and every time) you throw on something you love, take a picture and save it in a folder on your phone. Make sure you can see the whole outfit. You can either do a flat lay or take a picture of your reflection in a full-length mirror.

Just having the decision set makes getting ready so much easier. I’ve saved at least 20 minutes each morning since I started using this method.

Whatever your new routine becomes in the new year, finding little ways to improve the ease and quality of your days is going to go a long way to keeping you sane and balanced.

From all of us at Starner Styles, we’re here for you! Stay safe.