Pardon Me If I’m Repeating Myself & Link-Up

While Groundhog Day marks a quirky tradition of predicting the weather for the coming weeks, it also brings to mind an eponymously named film. In this comedy/drama, a cynical weatherman finds himself stuck in a repeating time loop, reliving the same day over and over until he learns to embrace personal growth, kindness, and love.

This movie is practically a love letter to the theme of “repeating.” It uses a time loop as a metaphor for the patterns we often fall into in life — both good and bad — and explores how we can break out of them by changing our mindset and actions. Repetition is neither inherently good nor bad; it depends on the context.

Skills improve with practice, familiar routines provide stability, and recurring traditions build connections within relationships. On the other hand, too much repetition without change can lead to stagnation, toxic habits that trap people into harmful routines, and always choosing what’s familiar can limit innovation.

Pardon me if I’ve shared these thoughts before, but I’d like to explore a few “repeating themes” related to daily living and, of course, style. First, let’s tackle familiarity.

Familiarity through repetition helps us build skills in our crafts, whether it’s cooking, coding, or playing a sport. Through repetition, what was once a challenge can become second nature, leading us to even more creativity. I’ll use today’s outfit as an example to relate this concept to style.

Have you ever bought someone you absolutely adored but then hesitated to wear because it seemed a bit too flashy or, as they say, outside your comfort zone? Then you finally wore it and realized that your second-guessing was just nonsense? And then couldn’t stop wearing it every chance you got? About 10 years ago that was me when I bought my first pair of leopard print pants, and 8 years ago when I bought a camo print jacket, and so on with dozens of items since.

It happened again a few months ago after buying the skirt you see in today’s photos. Though styled differently, the first time I finally wore it was to a meet-n-greet with local area Poshmark sellers, then a week or so later, I wore it to a bris. A few weeks ago I wore it as I am today to see a stage production of Mean Girls and I’ll probably wear it (or the black one just like it that I also bought) to a concert I’m going to the week after next. Talk about repeating myself!

Conversely, repetition without change can stifle growth and block creativity. When we stick to the same patterns, we may overlook new opportunities, experiences, or ideas that could challenge and expand us. Comfort zones rarely foster growth. This brings us to my next theme, valuing your own opinion over others.

Living authentically and confidently requires that you trust your own judgment and make choices that align with your true values and desires rather than following what others think you should do. Whether it’s in your day-to-day or in your style choices, relying on your own voice fosters self-assurance and helps you become less dependent on outside approval.

Dressing in a way that feels true to you, rather than following every trend, lets your personality shine. When you wear what you love, it shows. Some of the most iconic fashion moments happen when people disregard “the rules” and trust their creative instincts.

It wasn’t just the GHD movie that got me on this train of thought. A recent “wardrobe malfunction” of a sort was the catalyst for today’s topic of repeating myself but first a little background info. One of my 25 goals/plans for 2025 (see Kicking Off 2025 With 25 Fresh Goals And Bold Plans) is to wear 25 clothing/ accessory items I never seem to wear.

In other words, use it or lose it. Or enjoy it while you have it or any other catchy idiom of your choice that conveys a “nothing lasts forever” vibe. So, as I got dressed the other day for a bit of shopping, I decided to wear a pair of boots that I “never seem to wear” anymore. I bought them about 10 years ago and used to wear them frequently when I was still working but not much (if at all) since retiring about 5 years ago. Not for any particular reason other than I have other boots of a somewhat similar style that I seem to wear more often.

I was so tickled with the look (sorry no photo) but it was my daisy print cardigan (see How To Live Your Best Life) worn over a midi/maxi length black dress and the aforementioned boots. They looked fine when I put them on and since they’re quite comfortable for walking around it, I hardly gave them a second thought while I was out.

After I got home and was tending to a load of laundry, a flutter caught my eye. Initially, I thought something was stuck to my boot. But alas, it was my boot that had fluttered (see before and after photos below). The outer layer had apparently dried out over time and then cracked and shredded as I moved about while shopping. I’m rather embarrassed knowing that others must have noticed the state of my boots, and I was totally oblivious. Use it or lose it indeed!

In a broader sense, use it or lose it applies to style confidence as well. When you stop experimenting with your look, it’s easy to fall into a fashion rut where getting dressed becomes a chore. Confidence builds from stepping outside your comfort zone regularly. Stop doing that, and self-doubt creeps in.

Repetition can either imprison us or set us free. It’s more about how consciously and purposefully we approach it. The difference lies in whether we use it as an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to find meaning. In your experience, do you see repetition as a positive source of comfort or as a potential obstacle?

Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Photo credit: MMPerez

Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. Contributed by Penny, who you’ll find over at Frugal Fashion Shopper, featured from last week’s link-up is her update on the new blog – plus a new coat post.