At Mexicali Blues, we’re spending January focusing on renewal, with a
magical, mindful, month-long recalibration of our bodies, minds, homes and relationships.  And we want you to come along! Today, Topher Mallory reflects on a
surprising source of renewal in his life—his year of wearing tie dye every day.

Back in May we checked in on our CEO, Topher Mallory, halfway through his year-long commitment to wear something tie dyed every single day. Now that he’s completed #365TieDye2016 we thought we’d check in again! We found him renewed, refreshed and ready to crush 2017. It turns out that when Topher took on his life wrapped in supersaturated spirals of kaleidoscopic color, everything felt brighter, lighter, bolder and more brilliant. “Tie dye is the color of optimism,” Topher says. “And that was exactly what I needed during a such a challenging and transformative year.”

“When I started this project, I thought it would be a way to renew my connection to Mexicali Blues,” Topher explains. “It sounds superficial but it was really symbolic and centering. We were tackling a total website redesign, an expansion of our corporate philanthropy program, a month-long customer giveaway … and wearing tie dye reminded me to stay creative, vibrant and close to our values during those crazy times of growth and change.”

Limiting his choice of what to wear also kept his decision-making energies focused on work and family. (On most mornings, he left the choice of tie dye to his daughter, Flynn.) “Honestly, I’m kind of overwhelmed by my closet right now,” he admits.

It also prompted a lot of positive and powerful interactions with others. “Tie dye is an instant ice breaker,” Topher says. “It’s incredibly hard to go unnoticed, even in a sea of unknowns. I had to wear tie dye in some unconventional places over the course of last year—business conferences and weddings. I got used to needing to explain myself, and that has made me more comfortable with myself. But it’s going to be nice to blend in more again.”

So, what did Topher decide to wear on January 1? If you can believe it, tie dye! “I was at Sugarloaf on a ski trip with my family,” he explains. “I knew I didn’t have to wear tie dye but I wanted to. Only, pretty much all tie dye is cotton, and cotton is not the best base layer,” Topher laughs. “So picture a freezing day with the lift on wind hold and there I am hiking up the mountain, determined to be the first down the slopes, with a tie-dye tee pulled over my jacket.”

So what’s Topher’s renewal strategy for 2017? “Slowing down,” he says, with quiet determination. “I went at 2016 with everything I had and now I need to recharge. I’m spending more time on my decision-making and planning and more time with my family, and letting life show me what I need to take on next.”

The post MY MEXICALI MOMENT: TOPHER REFLECTS ON HIS #365TIEDYE2016 appeared first on Mexicali Blues Blog.