ClaireSomehow we are halfway through 2018. Time to check in on those New Year’s resolutions. I am usually not one to make actual resolutions, preferring to make more of a “To Do” list for the year filled with both big and little things I want to accomplish. But this year I opted to make one single resolution . . . No shopping for clothes, shoes or accessories for the entire year. 
Sounds harsh, but I did make some rules for myself, just in case. If something I owned was completely worn out, it could be replaced, and if by chance I had some event to attend and didn’t already have appropriate attire, I could consider buying something but would shop at local consignment shops if possible.
So how’s it going . . . Great! . . There’s been no shopping . . . period. Here are my thoughts on the experiment 6 months in.
- The daily email purge. How is it possible that the Loft is having a “Super Duper . . . You can’t miss this one!” sale every. single. day.? Clearly no one should ever buy anything from the Loft unless it is AT LEAST 40% off. But that’s not the point. Every morning my email is full of special offers, sales and deals. I hadn’t considered how much we are constantly bombarded by the world selling us stuff. It’s too much. It gives me a bit of joy everything morning when I hit “delete all” from my email account and poof . . . all gone. Because let’s be honest . . . I’ve previously been swayed by the offer, clicked the link and next thing you know I’m tracking the package for the new whatever arriving on my doorstep in two days. No shopping means no reading junk email, no impulse buying and ultimately more deliberate choices.
- The free time. I usually leave work about 2 hours before John gets home. In the past I’ve occasionally used this time as a detour to “browse” some of my favorites stores. No shopping means no browsing. I was shocked I actually noticed this found time in my routine. I’ve redirected my time to more positive activities like spending time cooking something new or different or reading . . . which lead to . . .
- The library card. It felt good not to be spending money and not to be bringing more “stuff” into the house which bled over to other activities. While I’ve been an avid Kindle user, there was a book on my list that reviews indicated should not be bought for an e-reader due to numerous footnotes. I didn’t want to add a physical book to my collection so I went to the library. And I’ve been back every week since. So far I’ve racked up a total of $0.40 in overdue book fees (umm . . .well worth it), and I’ve read more books than most years previous. While books weren’t originally part of the resolution, I’m digging my weekly library visits. (secretly I’ve always been in love with the dewey decimal system)
- The shopping in my closet. I’ve actually been toying with this no shopping thing since I returned from Singapore in January of 2017. I packed “light” for my 3 month trip to the SAS Singapore office. I think I took three pairs of work pants, four work tops, two dresses, one skirt and one pair of work appropriate shoes. For the most part, everything would mix and match.
I LOVED having a limited work wardrobe to pick from each morning. I also came to terms with how spoiled we are in my part of the US with an abundance of space. Space we fill with stuff. After my trip I did a big closet purge. Clearing out the clutter, I realized how much remained in my closet and learned to shop at home. Mix and match the things I already owned to make them feel fresh and new. So far, I’m not bored. Over time I’ve continued to eliminate things I tended not to wear for whatever reason but feel my closet still has some room to downsize. At times I actually think I could even embrace the concept of a work “uniform”. (think Steve Jobs and his signature black top and jeans) Maybe? Maybe not.
- The price tag. I’ve always been a bargain shopper and never a really BIG spender. But I did see the dollar amount I was willing to spend on items creeping up. Six months in, I feel like I now experience sticker shock when I see price tags. Since I’ve detached from somewhat freely trading my money for things, I feel like I would be much more discerning before spending on a piece of clothing. Pushing pause has allowed me to reset my ideas about the value of things.
- Oh that again. Nobody has said that to me once. Yes, I’m wearing that again, and the world could seriously care less.
- The thing I’ve missed the most. Shopping for shoes. I actually have terribly hard to fit feet and refuse to wear uncomfortable shoes. Combined, this means I don’t own very many pairs of shoes. But I miss shopping for them. I’m dying to buy a pair of polka dotted SeaVees tennis shoes. I keep telling myself they probably won’t fit . . . so no loss. We’ll see.
Ironically (or not so ironically) when I embraced this resolution I had no idea in a few short months we would be buying a new place in the mountains and putting the Blowing Rock house on the market. In full disclosure, to make this happen we’ve had to deplete savings and do some serious belt tightening until Blowing Rock sells. I’m thankful my resolution had me on the path of streamlining my spending, making it easier to give up other luxuries. Again, I feel like this has “freed” me to fill my time with more creative endeavors.
Six months down, six more to go. I don’t know what happens with this resolution at the end of the year. It may have some room to grow. I’m actually loving this down sizing adventure. In embracing “prepare to come about”, the ultimate plan will be keep 870 square foot house in the mountains while living on a less than 200 square foot boat. This means lots of decisions about possessions far broader than clothing. But it’s a first step that helps the mind shift. So let’s carry on.
Until next time,
See the beauty
