Start Your Elegant Journey Today Without Spending a Dime

“Pretty is an accident of nature.  Elegant is a self-created work of art.” ~ Being Caballero

Are you beginning your elegant lifestyle journey, but think it may do damage to your pocket?  There are different types of elegant lifestyles from the jetsetter to the minimalist.  What does this mean for one pursuing an elegant lifestyle?  Well, this means you don’t have to start with spending an exuberant amount.  You can save your coin.

I’m sure for many of us, we would like to start off by giving our lives a total makeover.  We think we need to go to the most prestigious colleges; secure that dream job; overhaul our closet with the latest designer; have that beautiful relationship; take that course.  If we could just do all these things first, then we can start and finally be elegant.  However, in most cases, the means are not there, or the thought is unrealistic.  It is also not necessary. 

Move away from the idea that you need to start by gushing out money.  When starting your elegant journey, you don’t need to run through your savings or run up your credit.  Begin where you are.  You can start your elegant journey today without spending a dime.  Here are a few items to start you along your way.

DO THE INSIDE WORK

Any change starts on the inside.  You need to harness the potential to change from within.  Set the right mindset in order to achieve your goals.  The desired change will require the right mindset to keep you staying on course.  How do you create the right mindset?  Start with being introspective.  Assess why you want to start this elegant journey and what you hope to accomplish.  Visualize that desired final outcome and set goals.  Rank priorities and objectives to keep you on the right track and most importantly—follow through.  Discipline yourself and stay consistent.  Nothing will happen if you don’t wholeheartedly do the work.

CLEAR OUT YOUR CLOSET

You don’t have to start with a closet makeover or shopping haul to dress elegantly, but you do need to purge your closet of your less than elegant wear.  Work with what you have.  Collect the items that best fit the style you want to grow in and donate or sell the rest.  Sure, you may not have a Dolce & Gabbana dress or an Hermes purse; but you don’t need these expensive items or brands to begin your journey.  Gradually, fill your closet and define your individual elegant style as you gain an understanding of quality, presentation, and personal branding.  Your efforts and the small changes you implement will be noticed and slowly influence you to do better.  This is the beginning of defining your personal elegant fashion.

START BUILDING YOUR NETWORK

Your network is your net worth.  You will hear this phrase time and time again.  The people around you and the people you are connected with matter.  Not only are they a reflection of you, but they are your sources of growth, accessibility, and opportunity.  Your network should push you to be a better and more successful person.

EXPAND YOUR MIND

The learning process never ends!  There’s always more to learn and reasons to keep educating yourself.  Every day presents a new opportunity to learn and experience something new.  Life is a journey, and along that journey is an evolution of learning that supports continuous improvement and betterment to an avail.  So, learn something new.  Find a new interest.  Look into something that you typically wouldn’t.  Read a book outside of your favorite genre.  Travel to a destination that has an opposite culture.  Allow new experiences to open you up to the world.

BE CHARMING

Being charming comes at no cost and it’s a wonderful quality to have.  Learn how to use your personality to be naturally delightful.  Create wonder and captivate and entrance wherever you go.  Make an effort to learn about decorum, social grace, and etiquette.  There are numerous resources available at no cost.  Show respect, express interests, and be genuinely kind and generous. The surest way, of course, to be charming is to be comfortable in your skin.  Highlight your strengths and turn your weaknesses to your advantage.

DON’T TRY TO BE PERFECT. BE YOU!

Perfection is but a dream.  No matter how we would love for it to exist in the real world, it just isn’t so.  Instead, shift your efforts and energy from trying to be perfect to just being you.  Underneath the clothes, the demeanor, and the elegant brand you create is you—the real you.  Being who you are is your advantage.  Utilize your unique qualities, talents, and character to be the best person you can be.  Stay true.  Be genuine and authentic.  Being elegant does not elevate you to perfection, but it does pave the way for you to enjoy your life, to pursue bigger and better things, and open access to more opportunities.