{"id":1417,"date":"2025-04-29T09:30:46","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T08:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.awesomearchie.co.uk\/?p=1417"},"modified":"2025-04-29T09:30:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T08:30:46","slug":"self-discovery-and-dopamine-dressing-ive-always-loved-looking-and-being-different-but-i-didnt-know-why-until-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.awesomearchie.co.uk\/?p=1417","title":{"rendered":"Self discovery and Dopamine dressing- I’ve always loved looking and being different but I didn’t know why…..until now!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Before you read on I need to apologise, this blog post is full of pictures of me.\ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Not because I love myself (in fact most of the time it’s quite the opposite) but because I am currently studying psychology and I am proudly on a really exciting self discovery journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am going to say it….I’ve always felt like “the weird one” amongst my family and friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s a term that I own with pride actually. Our first book, Awesome Archie and Mickey the fedora wearing super-puss, states at the end ” being weird is the new cool” and both Archie and I still stand by that statement. But although I’ve always been OK being and looking ” different” I am pleased to now have the ability to get a greater understanding as to why I am like I am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-discovery is an essential journey because it lays the foundation for personal growth, a feeling of fulfillment, and a more meaningful life. It can help you to identify what truly matters to you and can allow you to clarify your values and beliefs, which can then help to guide your decisions and actions moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning about my neurotype has encouraged me to live authentically and has allowed me to align my actions with MY true self rather than the societal expectations. Yes, this does mean that I have had to be brave and advocate for myself and my sons and yes, I have not always remained close to those that I was once close to. But I have realised that this is more a reflection on them and not us….that’s what self discovery has done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IT HAS BEEN ( and I’m sure will continue to be ) LIFE CHANGING!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to our research, when you get to know yourself, you can set goals that are in harmony with your passions and aspirations, which in turn increases the chances of achieving life satisfaction and maybe even professional success. Here’s hoping \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can help you to communicate YOUR needs and set boundaries more effectively, while also having empathy and hopefully gaining deeper connections with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the first questions for myself was, ” why do I always change my hair colour and why do I like weird clothes?…..no joke….I googled it \ud83e\udd23 It turns out that once again , it’s all to do with my awesome neurodivergent brain and my need for dopamine which I obtain through my appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Dopamine dressing” is a term that describes the practice of intentionally choosing clothing or outfits that boost your mood and evoke feelings of happiness and positivity. This concept is rooted in the idea that what we wear can influence our emotions, as dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone associated with pleasure and reward.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I read it I knew… this is me. Infact, this is Archie too! Feeling good about what you\u2019re wearing can improve your self-esteem and bright or cheerful outfits can lift your emotions. Not only that but it’s suggested that experimenting with colors, styles, and accessories can even spark your own creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes so much sense to Archie and I. When you feel great in your outfit, you\u2019re more likely to engage positively with others and dressing in a way that reflects YOUR personality helps you to feel confident and authentically YOU!!! This will hopefully then boost your mood naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n