The Ritual of Getting Ready: Why Dressing Slowly is the New Self-Care
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Getting ready isn’t just about stepping out looking presentable. It’s a quiet, personal ritual that nourishes the mind and spirit.
In today’s rushed routines, we’ve forgotten the joy of slowing down while choosing what to wear. The simple act of draping a saree, adjusting pleats, or picking a pair of earrings can be grounding. It offers a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself.
Today, we’re here to celebrate the lost art of dressing slowly and explore the advantages of turning this everyday habit into a mindful ritual. Especially when you do it with a saree.
The Lost Art of Dressing with Intention
For generations, getting ready wasn’t just a task 0 it was a quiet, meaningful ritual. Our mothers and grandmothers treated dressing with care and intention. Each day began by choosing fabrics that felt right against the skin.
The act of draping a saree or tying fresh flowers in the hair was slow and deliberate. It wasn’t just about looking good. It was about feeling rooted, calm, and beautiful in one’s skin.
Clothes, Colours, and Customs Held Meaning
In many homes, colours were chosen based on mood, seasons, and occasions.
- Light pastels for summer afternoons.
- Deep reds and golds for weddings.
- Yellow for Thursdays and turmeric days.
Even jewellery had a purpose – silver to cool, gold to energise. These customs weren’t superstitions; they were gentle, sensory ways to stay connected with the world around you.
When Dressing Became a Chore
Fast fashion, deadlines, and the daily hustle have transformed the way we dress. Clothes became quick decisions made between emails and chores.
We stopped feeling our fabrics, stopped caring about colour, and started dressing only for others.
The sensory pleasure of dressing slowly, for ourselves, got lost. In trying to keep up, we forgot how good it feels to choose a colour, touch a soft weave, and watch yourself bloom in the mirror.
Read more about the psychology behind how we dress shapes our identities here.
Dressing Slowly Acts as Self-Care, and Here’s How:
We often treat dressing as a task to check off a list. But when done slowly, it becomes a simple, grounding act of self-care.
Taking those extra minutes to choose what you wear, how it feels, and how it moves with you can ease anxious thoughts. It reminds you to be present in your own skin before facing the world.
Here’s how this quiet ritual works its magic:
It Helps You Pause and Ground Yourself
In a world obsessed with speed, slowing down feels like a quiet rebellion. Taking time to get ready calms the mind and steadies racing thoughts.
As you run your fingers over soft fabrics or adjust your pleats, you create small, mindful moments. These pauses help you reconnect with your breath and body before stepping out into the world.
The Therapeutic Joy of Touch and Scent
There’s something healing about the feel of silk or cotton against the skin. Selecting jewellery that catches the light just right. Spritzing a familiar fragrance that reminds you of home or old summers.
These sensory details don’t just enhance how you look – they soothe the senses. Touch, scent, and sight work together to lift your mood, without you even realising it.
Self-Expression and Confidence Naturally Follow
Dressing slowly makes you pay attention to what feels good, not just what looks good. It’s an act of quiet self-expression. The colour you pick, the drape you prefer – it all says something about who you are that day.
And when you dress for yourself, confidence follows naturally. You carry yourself differently because you feel seen, even by your own reflection.
Turning Getting Ready into a Personal Ritual: Tips and Tricks
Getting ready doesn’t have to be rushed. With a little intention, it can become a small, everyday ritual you actually look forward to.
Here are some simple ways to turn dressing into a mindful, feel-good experience:
Set Aside Dedicated Time
Even ten extra minutes can change how you feel. Avoid dressing in a hurry. Give yourself the space to slow down and enjoy it.
Create a Mood with Music or Fragrance
Put on a playlist that matches your mood or light a favourite candle. It instantly makes the space feel personal, calm, and welcoming.
Choose Fabrics and Colours by Feel
Let your hands guide you. Pick fabrics that feel good against your skin. Choose colours that reflect how you want to feel that day.
Lay Out Accessories and Makeup with Care
Instead of scrambling for earrings or lipstick, place everything out neatly. It makes dressing feel deliberate, not chaotic.
Avoid Multitasking
Keep your phone aside. Don’t dress while checking emails or worrying about errands. Be fully present with yourself in that quiet, gentle moment.
Make Saree Days Extra Special
On weekends or festive mornings, turn saree dressing into a slow, sensory ritual. Play soothing music, light incense, and let the drapes centre you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the ritual of getting ready?
It’s the mindful practice of dressing slowly and intentionally, treating it as a calming, personal ritual rather than a rushed routine.
- How does dressing slowly benefit mental well-being?
It calms the mind, grounds you in the present, and creates small, sensory moments that reduce stress and boost mood.
- Can saree dressing be part of self-care?
Absolutely. The gentle act of draping, choosing jewellery, and feeling soft fabrics makes saree dressing a therapeutic, sensory ritual.
- How can I turn everyday dressing into a ritual?
Set aside time, play calming music, choose clothes by feel, and avoid multitasking. Small, mindful habits turn ordinary dressing into self-care.
Stay connected with India’s finest designer partywear saree brand
To learn more about Tana Bana, visit https://www.tanabanasarees.com/
To read more blogs, visit https://tanabanasarees.com/blog/
Follow us on Instagram @worldoftanabana
Suggested Readings after ‘The Ritual of Getting Ready: Why Dressing Slowly Is the New Self-Care‘
Choosing Saree Colours Based on Your Chakras
Festive Sarees Guide 2025: Quiet Status Symbols for Loud Celebrations
Cannes 2025: How India’s Sarees Are Reshaping the Global Fashion Narrative
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