A year is a long time to avoid the clothing store. 365 days. 8760 hours.
Did I really just commit to that?
Last year I experimented with a capsule wardrobe for nine months before deciding that it was not for me. Paring down my wardrobe to 37 items forced me to define my 30’s style, which took a lot of trial and error for a non-fashionista like me.
Unfortunately, it also resulted in a lot of wasted money on clothes that I thought I would love when I bought them, but soon realized that they did not suit me, after all.
The good news is that I finally figured out what I love in the world of fashion. The bad news is that I think I spent more money on clothes in the past year trying to figure that out than I spent in the previous several years combined.
When we decided a few weeks ago that it was time to get serious about getting out of debt, I knew that some sacrifices were inevitable. With mostly newish clothes in my closet, I told Greg that I would not buy any new clothes for myself for one year. He laughed and told me he would believe it when he saw it, which only encouraged me to press forward.
Let the games begin, with these exceptions:
1. I can buy underwear and socks if I need them. Nobody should have to go without those essentials.
2. I can buy shoes, but not unless I really need them. I make this exception because I only own a few pairs of shoes (that are not new) and they get LOTS of wear. I’m not sure that they will all hold up for another full year.
Otherwise, no shopping.
Since I made this commitment a few weeks ago, I have been tempted by beautiful catalogs in the mail and sales at my favorite stores. If only I had waited a few more weeks to take a shopping sabbatical…
This might be harder than I thought it would be.
The truth remains, however, that my closet is well-stocked with items that I love. They are all good quality. They all fit nicely. The colors make me happy.
I don’t need anything.
It is time for me to start ignoring all of the underlying cultural messages that more clothes in the newest seasonal fashions bring happiness. I must learn to be content with what I already have.
Because I have enough.
It is time for me to unsubscribe from email lists from my favorite stores so that I am not tempted by their sales and new arrivals. It is time to use this free service to stop those beautiful catalogs from being delivered to my mail box.
It is time to stop looking around at what I could have and be grateful for what I already own.
My wallet will undoubtedly thank me. It will remind me of how to tell the difference between wants and needs – a practice that has been clouded in recent years by threads of consumerism.
A year of no shopping for clothes may be just what I need on so many levels. It will not be easy, but I hope it will be worth it for the lessons that I learn in the process.
Fingers crossed.
Do you have any tips for being content with what you already own rather than looking for fulfillment in buying more stuff? Please share so that we may all learn from each other.
When I went on my diet three years ago, it just turned out that because I wasn’t eating, I wasn’t cooking much, either. My two daughters really went through withdrawals for food before they started cooking. Also, if I did have a big yen to buy treats at the store, I bought for them. How do you think your new resolution will change things? Not critical at all, just curious how it pans out. Also, I find that instead of eating to relax now…I shop! Usually at thrifts stores, but I know it is filling the feed me void:)
I used to be really good at only buying things when I needed them, but I have found in recent years that I have drifted from that mentality to buying things whenever I get an itch for something new. Since I spent way too much on clothes last year, this is my way of making up for that a little bit, I guess. I also hope to find a more grounded place that is not so driven by consumerism, where I can get back to really thinking before I buy something, rather than just being impulsive. That is the big change that I am seeking. Also, I like to challenge myself sometimes and find that I learn more by complete immersion than anything else. Now, that does not mean that I will not buy clothes for my kids or husband. But, I am not so apt to buy for them on a whim.
I can totally see how it would be easy to fill a void with something else, as in your experience with food. I’m not sure how that will pan out for me. We are trying to be more strict with our budget in general, so we will see how it goes. That is interesting to note that your experience with food also encouraged your kids to learn to cook. That’s fabulous! (And, by the way, you have done tremendously well with your diet, so you must be doing something right. You look amazing!)