Kids really say the darndest things. In the course of a recent conversation, one simple statement caused me to reflect for days on a topic that I admit is very tough for me.  “Ms. Youngblood,” he said, “I can’t wear this shirt out in public because I will have wings.  It’s way too big for me.”  Now, I don’t have kids of my own and I am not used to shopping for anyone other than my husband and myself. But I went home that night and thought long and hard about how I have picked sizes in certain items I wear like t-shirts and made a shocking discovery.

I have been wearing the wrong size for quite a while.

At some point, I convinced myself that I needed to wear and X-Large in shirt sizes. Much of this has to do with trying to keep the shirts from pulling too tightly across my upper chest. While looking in the mirror I could not deny that I was drowning in that XL shirt.  So I went to put on a Large instead and still, I had wings.

Y’all, I am down to a Medium shirt size which is incredible to me. What’s even more incredible is that it took someone else making a comment for me to make this realization.

I am guilty of focusing my energy on others to the point where I lose sight of myself.  It is something that I have to actively work on each and every day. So now that I know that I have clothes in my closet that are WAY too big for me, you know what that means, right?  That’s right, out with the oversize and in with the right fitting garments.

Along with this revelation came another realization that I really need a good tailor. Fortunately, I think I found one this week as well.

I don’t want anyone reading this to think that I’m being superficial or vain.  Appearance is very important in many professions and especially in mine. People often judge your competence based on how they perceive your outward appearance.  I am not saying it is right, but it is what it is.  Showing up to an event in an ill-fitting outfit could send the wrong message to a potential client.  Also, there is something about knowing you are dressed well that can boost your confidence when you step into a room to do business. Goodness knows we all need a little of that from time to time.

I have an awesome task ahead of me as I stand in front of my closet and prepare to graduate some clothes to the Goodwill.  I encourage you to take a good look at how you are presenting yourself and make sure that you have right fitting options to choose from.

Marta C. Youngblood is a writer, education and social entrepreneur based in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For more information on her current projects visit https://about.me/MCyoungblood.