Dressing for You: How to Break Free from Style Myths and Embrace Authenticity

Many individuals find themselves standing in front of a closet full of clothes, yet feeling as though they have nothing to wear. This common frustration often arises from a mindset that prioritizes an ideal body weight or shape over the current self. The belief that one must wait until they achieve a certain physical state before investing in their style is not only limiting but also counterproductive.

Tonya Leigh discusses her own experience with what she describbes as the "waiting game." She recalls how she spent years convincing herself that she would invest in her style once she lost a certain amount of weight or reached a specific body shape. This mindset creates a cycle of negativity, where individuals continuously reinforce a narrative rooted in self-doubt and dissatisfaction. As she explores her past and the lessons learned, Tonya encourages listeners to consider their own style choices and what they may have outgrown.

Join her for an inspiring discussion on embracing your unique style and stepping into your authentic self.

Talking Points:

00:00:37 - Tonya's Morning Motivation and Style Journey

00:01:43 - The Deep Connection Between Style and Self-Image

00:02:59 - The Style Experience: A Unique Approach

00:04:05 - Enrollment for The Style Experience

00:05:08 - Style Mistake #1: The Waiting Game

00:09:23 - Style Mistake #2: The Numbers Game

00:13:25 - Style Mistake #3: The Label Trap

00:18:25 - Style Mistake #4: Trapped by a Self-Image

00:22:40 - Style Mistake #5: The Knowledge Gap

00:28:18 - Conclusion: Embrace Your Style Journey

Quotes:

"Style may seem superficial on the surface, but in reality, it's so deep."

"Everything you choose is confirming a story about yourself."

"Waiting for the perfect body is like waiting for a train that never arrives."

"The moment you stand up and you say, I'm no longer waiting to feel beautiful, to live the life that I want to live, that's when you get all of your power back."

"Your style isn't defined by the quantity of your clothes, but how well they reflect and serve you."

"Style is a skill. Like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and improved upon."

"True style is about being comfortable in your own skin and your life, not in someone else's expectations."

Useful Resources:

Join the 5 Day Style Challenge: https://schoolofselfimage.com/stylechallenge/

Join the Membership: https://schoolofselfimage.com/join

FREE Download: https://schoolofselfimage.com/self-image-manifesto/

Sign up for the Weekly Edit: http://schoolofselfimage.com/edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Instagram: @schoolofselfimage

Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyaLeighOfficial

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetonyaleigh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyaLeighOfficial

Gentle Persistence: A Journey of Sauntering Towards Success

Sauntering beyond your limits is a powerful approach that involves combining ambition with ease, playfulness with purpose, and approaching obstacles with curiosity rather than frustration. In the podcast episode, Tonya Leigh discusses how sauntering involves walking with purpose yet unhurried, being playful yet focused, and curious yet determined. This approach allows individuals to maintain a sense of calm and gratitude while pursuing their goals, even in the face of challenges.

By sauntering beyond your limits, you are encouraged to adopt a mindset that values the journey as much as the destination. Instead of constantly pushing yourself to go faster and do more, sauntering allows you to explore your limits with a sense of curiosity and openness. When faced with obstacles, the sauntering approach encourages individuals to stop, assess the situation, and consider alternative paths or solutions. This contrasts with the typical hustle culture that promotes pushing through obstacles without taking the time to reflect or adjust course.

Join Tonya as she discusses the power of taking a more relaxed and enjoyable approach to personal development and life.

Talking Points:

01:41 - The Concept of Sauntering
02:24 - Visualization Exercise
03:17 - Sprinting vs. Sauntering
05:02 - Curiosity Over Frustration
06:28 - Expanding Limits
07:43 - Playful Exploration
08:46 - Creative Problem Solving
11:02 - Detaching from the Outcome
16:02 - Lessons from Nature
20:36 - Micro-Adventures
22:02 - Style Challenge

Quotes:

"You know, we live in a world that's always telling us to push harder, go faster, do more. It's all hustle culture and no pain, no gain."

"What can I learn from this obstacle? How can I work with it rather than against it?"

"But a lot of successful people in the world have become successful because of their playful approaches to overcoming their limitations."

"To truly saunter beyond your limits, you must practice detaching from the outcome."

"You have the power to saunter beyond your limits. You can be ambitious and enjoy your life. You can make progress without burning out. You're capable of so much more than you know."

Useful Resources:

Soul Style Quiz: http://schoolofselfimage.com/stylequiz

Join Now: https://schoolofselfimage.com/join

FREE Download: https://schoolofselfimage.com/self-image-manifesto/

Sign up for the Weekly Edit: http://schoolofselfimage.com/edit

Follow School of Self-Image on IG: @schoolofselfimage

Interior Design for the Soul: 5 Life Lessons to Elevate Your Self-Image

One crucial aspect of embracing contrast in life is recognizing and integrating all facets of oneself, including the shadow side. Tonya Leigh explores the significance of embracing contrast in interior design and how it can be applied to life. Just as in design, where contrasting elements can add depth and richness, embracing the diverse aspects of our personalities enables us to explore neglected or denied facets of ourselves, fostering personal growth and self-acceptance.

Tonya stresses the concept of the shadow side, a term introduced by psychologist Carl Jung, which refers to the darker, less desirable aspects of our personalities that we often try to conceal or suppress. She underscores the importance of not only showcasing our positive traits but also acknowledging and accepting the parts of ourselves that may not always be bright and cheerful.

Tune in to explore the parallels between interior design choices and self-image transformation.

Talking Points:

00:52 - Chaotic House and Podcast Recording

01:45 - Interior Design Lessons for Life

02:06 - First Impressions and Self-Image

03:09 - Designing Your Environment for Self-Image

04:40 - Creative Brief and Future Vision

06:10 - Curating Elements of Life

07:04 - Intentional Curation Beyond Physical Spaces

08:19 - Five Key Interior Design Principles

09:12 - Lesson 1: Embrace Contrast

13:20 - Lesson 2: Create Focal Points

19:15 - Lesson 3: Functionality is Essential

25:00 - Lesson 4: Embrace White Space

31:07 - Lesson 5: Don't Be Afraid of Making Mistakes

37:02 - Ongoing Process of Life Design

38:40 - Conclusion and Application

38:50 - Invitation to Soul Style Quiz

Quotes:

"Just as we thoughtfully curate our living spaces, we can intentionally design our lives to reflect our truest selves and support our personal growth."

"The key is to recognize that these contrasts aren't contradictions. They are complementary aspects of your whole self."

"We try to be good at so many different things versus really focusing and harnessing on the things that we're naturally good at."

"Remember, just as white space and design allows important elements to stand out, creating space in your life allows priorities to shine through very clearly."

Useful Resources:

Soul Style Quiz: http://schoolofselfimage.com/stylequiz

Join Now: https://schoolofselfimage.com/join

FREE Download: https://schoolofselfimage.com/self-image-manifesto/

Sign up for the Weekly Edit: http://schoolofselfimage.com/edit

Follow School of Self-Image on IG: @schoolofselfimage

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyaLeighOfficial

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetonyaleigh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyaLeighOfficial

Quality Over Quantity: The Key to an Elegant Closet

An elegant closet transcends mere clothing and accessories; it is about curating a selection that truly embodies your authentic style, meets your lifestyle needs, and brings you joy every time you open its doors. Tonya Leigh stresses the significance of crafting a closet that effortlessly reflects who you are. This involves meticulously choosing pieces that resonate with your personal style and values.

When curating an elegant closet, it is crucial to consider not only the visual appeal of the items but also their practicality in meeting your daily lifestyle demands. The clothes and accessories in your closet should serve a purpose and align with the activities and occasions you typically engage in. By ensuring that your wardrobe is tailored to your lifestyle, you can feel confident and comfortable in your outfits, knowing that they cater to your needs.

Get inspired to turn your closet into a personal sanctuary that truly reflects who you are.

Talking Points:

00:44 - Tonya's New Home and Office

01:37 - Designing an Elegant Closet

03:03 - Four Essentials of an Elegant Closet

04:19 - Emotional Benefits of an Elegant Closet

04:30 - Inspiration from a French Friend

05:33 - Misconceptions About Elegance

05:55 - Soul Style Quiz

07:00 - Solving the "Nothing to Wear" Problem

07:21 - Easier Packing for Trips

08:25 - Investing in Timeless Pieces

10:22 - Challenge: Choosing Quality Pieces

16:02 - Personal Story: High Heels vs. Sneakers

20:09 - Organizational Tools and Tips

26:52 - Final Thoughts on Closet Curation

Quotes:

"When I was designing my closet, what I wanted was an elegant closet. And it turns out elegance isn't big. It's not massive. It's not over the top. It's about curating a closet that allows the beautiful expression of you."

"An elegant closet eliminates decision fatigue, it boosts your self-esteem, and it sets this positive tone for your day."

"Because let me tell you, no amount of cheap thrills can fill the space that's meant for true quality pieces that resonate with your soul."

"It is an intimate journey designed for the discerning woman who knows she's capable of more, but needs that extra guidance and inspiration."

Useful Resources:

Soul Style Quiz: http://schoolofselfimage.com/stylequiz

Join Now: https://schoolofselfimage.com/join

FREE Download: https://schoolofselfimage.com/self-image-manifesto/

Sign up for the Weekly Edit: http://schoolofselfimage.com/edit

Follow School of Self-Image on IG: @schoolofselfimage

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyaleigh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyaLeighOfficial

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetonyaleigh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyaLeighOfficial

Creating Harmony: The Art of Morning Rituals

Creating a beautiful morning routine is not about overwhelming yourself with a long list of tasks but rather about being intentional with small parts of your day. Tonya Leigh believes a healthy morning ritual sets the tone for a successful day and starts with focusing on specific rituals that support your well-being and drive positive energy first thing in the morning.

Tonya emphasizes the importance of starting the day with a capsule collection of non-negotiable activities that contribute to your overall well-being. These activities can vary from person to person but should be chosen based on what makes you feel better emotionally and sets you up for a successful day.

Join Tonya as she explores crafting your own beautiful beginnings for a more purposeful day.

Talking Points:

01:24 - The Power of Morning Routines

02:08 - Intentional Small Changes

02:40 - Soft vs. Hard Mornings

05:01 - Capsule Collection Concept

05:33 - No Tech in the Morning

06:26 - Waking Up Naturally

07:09 - Better Sleep App

07:41 - Hydration and Music

08:46 - Sunshine and Stretching

09:18 - Honoring Life and Gratitude

11:51 - Family Time and Journaling

13:18 - Skincare Routine

15:05 - Meditation and Breath Work

17:04 - Soul Style Quiz - http://schoolofselfimage.com/stylequiz

19:44 - Decadent Breakfasts

22:04 - Structuring Beautiful Beginnings

23:11 - Creating Intentional Days

Quotes:

"I love how it feels when I'm not plugging into the world first thing in the morning because it's coming."

"I love to honor my life. This is so important."

"There's something to be said for asking yourself what you can give to your life versus always thinking, what can life give to me?"

"I really find that my soul is like an old world kind of soul."

"A beautiful life is nothing more than a collection of beautiful days."

Useful Resources:

Soul Style Quiz - http://schoolofselfimage.com/stylequiz

Join Now! https://schoolofselfimage.com/join

FREE Download: https://schoolofselfimage.com/self-image-manifesto/

Sign up for the Weekly Edit! http://schoolofselfimage.com/edit

Follow School of Self-Image on IG: @schoolofselfimage

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyaleigh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyaLeighOfficial

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetonyaleigh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyaLeighOfficial

The Art of Becoming: Navigating Life's Transformations

Embracing the process of becoming involves shedding old identities, beliefs, and habits to align with one's true self. As discussed in the podcast episode, the journey of becoming is likened to a metamorphosis, much like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. This transformation requires individuals to let go of who they have been to become who they truly are or aspire to be.

Host, Tonya Leigh, shares her personal experiences of going through various stages of becoming, including facing challenges, reevaluating her identity, and making intentional changes to align with her true nature. She emphasizes the importance of letting go of comfortable ways of being, confronting difficult truths about oneself, and being willing to evolve into a new version.

Join Tonya as she delves into the process of shedding old identities and embracing new versions of ourselves.

Talking Points:

02:32 The Art of Becoming

05:13 Letting Go of Identities and Beliefs

10:31 The Butterfly Metamorphosis Analogy

11:26 - Martha Beck's Change Cycle

16:17 Cocooning Yourself with Self-Care

19:30 Square One Mantra

23:34 Reimagining and Nourishing Your Soul

28:20 Embracing Failure and Obstacles

32:05 The Promised Land

36:45 Embracing Constant Change

Quotes:

"We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

"This is the part of the butterflies metamorphosis where it's literally dissolving into what she calls a person soup."

"Coming from the truest part of you, that takes a lot of courage and a lot of people will never do that."

Creating a Lasting Impression with Your Soul Style

Understanding your soul style involves aligning your values, personality, passions, and dreams with your outward appearance. Host Tonya Leigh stresses the importance of knowing and embracing your soul style, which transcends mere clothing choices. She breaks down the components of soul style into four key elements: values, personality, passions, and dreams.

By paying attention to how you feel in different outfits and embracing the evolution of your style, you can create a wardrobe that truly reflects your inner essence and makes you feel confident, comfortable, and authentic.

Join Tonya as she delves into the journey of self-discovery and the significance of expressing your inner self through your personal style.

Talking Points:

00:00:51 - Personal Update from Tonya

00:01:45 - Reflecting on Life and Belongings

00:03:00 - Understanding Soul Style

00:05:45 - Components of Soul Style

00:06:32 - Values and Their Impact on Style

00:10:05 - Personality and Style Expression

00:12:54 - Dreams and Future Self in Style

00:16:16 - Creating Your Style Cocktail

00:17:09 - Primary Style Archetypes

00:21:03 - Reflecting and Experimenting with Style

Quotes:

"It's more about shedding layers to reveal the truth of who you are, the truth of your essence, the truth of your soul."

"I love taking care of my beauty, and I have been ridiculed for that, and that's okay."

"What I want for you all is that you are showing up in a way that truly represents who you are at your deepest level, at your core."

"Your soul style should make you feel confident, comfortable, and like you. It should feel like freedom."

Useful Resources:

12-Week Private Podcast Series: https://schoolofselfimage.com/why/

FREE Training: https://schoolofselfimage.com/after/

FREE Download: https://schoolofselfimage.com/self-image-manifesto/

Sign up for the weekly Edit: https://schoolofselfimage.com/edit/

Connect with Self-Image Coach, Tonya Leigh:

Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyaleigh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyaLeighOfficial

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetonyaleigh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyaLeighOfficial

From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Transforming Your Style with Five Key Habits

Celebrating 400 episodes! In this special episode, Tonya reflects on her podcast journey, starting from her first nervous recording to reaching this significant milestone. She shares the importance of pushing past self-doubt and critical voices to keep going. A heartfelt thank you to listeners and her team for the support.

Then, Tonya dives into ‘The Five Style Habits That Transformed My Life’.

Intentional style habits play a crucial role in enhancing personal style, saving time, money, and energy, while boosting confidence and authenticity. In a podcast episode, Tonya Leigh discusses five key style habits that have elevated her life, highlighting their positive impact on overall well-being.

1. Intentional Shopping with a Style Vision: Developing a clear style vision helps individuals make intentional shopping decisions, reducing impulse purchases and ensuring every item aligns with their personal style.

2. Daily Outfit Photos: Taking daily outfit photos and analyzing them with curiosity rather than criticism helps individuals understand what works for them.

3. Quarterly Closet Edits: Regularly reviewing and organizing the closet allows individuals to assess their wardrobe, identify items that no longer serve them, and make room for new pieces that align with their style vision.

4. Keeping Everything in Sight: Organizing the closet for maximum visibility helps individuals see and appreciate all their clothing items, reducing the feeling of having nothing to wear.

5. Practicing Gratitude for the Wardrobe: Cultivating gratitude for the current wardrobe fosters a positive relationship with clothing, leading to contentment and authenticity.

Tune in for an inspiring episode filled with gratitude, motivation, and style inspiration.

Talking Points:

03:09 Style as form of self-care.

05:56 Relationship with clothing and style.

11:09 Style habits for elevated life.

13:15 Creating a style vision.

18:36 Elevating style with daily photos.

26:36 Quarterly Closet Edits

31:47 Creating a sense of abundance.

35:30 Gratitude in building a wardrobe.

42:17 Elevating personal style and confidence.

Quotes:

"I want to encourage you, I want to challenge you to think about style as a form of self-care."

"Style has this trickle effect. Because it's not even about the clothes, it's about you and how you feel."

"Clothing has helped me create the life that I'm living today."

"I love the mantra of I'm letting this go so that something else better can take its place."

"Gratitude can help us enjoy the process of evolving our style."

Useful Resources:

12-Week Private Podcast Series: https://schoolofselfimage.com/why/

FREE Training: https://schoolofselfimage.com/after/

FREE Download: https://schoolofselfimage.com/self-image-manifesto/

Sign up for the weekly Edit: https://schoolofselfimage.com/edit/

Connect with Self-Image Coach, Tonya Leigh:

Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyaleigh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyaLeighOfficial

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetonyaleigh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyaLeighOfficial