This post is a little late in coming but no less worthy of celebration because I DID IT!!! I went a whole year without shopping retail!!! And even occasionally got complimented on an outfit. :)
History of this dare if you're not familiar -
Post 1 - The Dare
Post 2 - The Cheat
Post 3 - The Homestretch
How I Did It -
1. Stopped going in clothing stores. Rather obvious but still for some reason surprisingly helpful. :)
2. Losing weight, at least enough to go down a size in the store in my closet which was kind of like having new clothes except better because they're free and recognize an accomplishment (except not better once you get so sick of them and hate them and wonder why you ever bought them to begin with but they're the only pair of pants you have to wear now).
3. Gifts - hand me downs from friends or family who decided they didn't want something were the biggest boon to my wardrobe - particularly one adorable White House/Black Market cardigan that I love.
Things I Learned
1. I still make the same shopping mistakes at thrift stores. The good news is that the mistakes tend to be cheaper, but I can't return it if I don't end up wearing it after a month.
2. The danger with ONLY shopping consignment or thrift was that I was so excited if something fit/seemed halfway decent that I would definitely buy it even if I didn't love it.
3. I did learn where the thrift/consignment stores were, so hopefully that will help me go there more in future.
4. Sometimes I just want to buy something.
Shopping Again
1. Initially I was totally freaked out by the thought of going back to the mall. It all seemed so overwhelming. And loud. And bright. And then I realized I'd become 80-years old. Or my dad.
2. But the lure of new things pulled me in. And I realized I had no concept of current style at all. It all seemed...ugly. Probably canceling the Glamour subscription the same year I hardly stepped foot in a store had drawbacks as well as positives. This feeling rather reminded me of coming home from Asia (You mean, those pointy-toe shoes I made fun of in China are actually POPULAR in the US, too?!?!? I no longer know which end is up!)
3. But then I realized there were choices, like of sizes, and if I liked something I could keep looking until I found one that fit. That's fun.
4. And I realized after not spending much money on this for a year that I was hesitant to part with money for clothes. So that made things easier in that anything over $15 didn't even really get a second glance. I'll enjoy that for as long as it lasts.
Overall, I think it was definitely a worthwhile endeavor. I saved some money. I learned to be more content with what I have and look ever deeper into the closet and drawers. I learned to deny myself some things. Also, I reconditioned myself to walk to the back of Target through the center aisle rather than meandering past all the clothes.
I considered repeating the dare again this year with something else. What if I didn't buy any new books but only used the library and books loaned from friends or from paperbackswap for a whole year?
Then I had a heart attack.
And when I was revived a laughed a bit in a frightened sort of a way and promised never to think that thought again.
History of this dare if you're not familiar -
Post 1 - The Dare
Post 2 - The Cheat
Post 3 - The Homestretch
How I Did It -
1. Stopped going in clothing stores. Rather obvious but still for some reason surprisingly helpful. :)
2. Losing weight, at least enough to go down a size in the store in my closet which was kind of like having new clothes except better because they're free and recognize an accomplishment (except not better once you get so sick of them and hate them and wonder why you ever bought them to begin with but they're the only pair of pants you have to wear now).
3. Gifts - hand me downs from friends or family who decided they didn't want something were the biggest boon to my wardrobe - particularly one adorable White House/Black Market cardigan that I love.
Things I Learned
1. I still make the same shopping mistakes at thrift stores. The good news is that the mistakes tend to be cheaper, but I can't return it if I don't end up wearing it after a month.
2. The danger with ONLY shopping consignment or thrift was that I was so excited if something fit/seemed halfway decent that I would definitely buy it even if I didn't love it.
3. I did learn where the thrift/consignment stores were, so hopefully that will help me go there more in future.
4. Sometimes I just want to buy something.
Shopping Again
1. Initially I was totally freaked out by the thought of going back to the mall. It all seemed so overwhelming. And loud. And bright. And then I realized I'd become 80-years old. Or my dad.
2. But the lure of new things pulled me in. And I realized I had no concept of current style at all. It all seemed...ugly. Probably canceling the Glamour subscription the same year I hardly stepped foot in a store had drawbacks as well as positives. This feeling rather reminded me of coming home from Asia (You mean, those pointy-toe shoes I made fun of in China are actually POPULAR in the US, too?!?!? I no longer know which end is up!)
3. But then I realized there were choices, like of sizes, and if I liked something I could keep looking until I found one that fit. That's fun.
4. And I realized after not spending much money on this for a year that I was hesitant to part with money for clothes. So that made things easier in that anything over $15 didn't even really get a second glance. I'll enjoy that for as long as it lasts.
Overall, I think it was definitely a worthwhile endeavor. I saved some money. I learned to be more content with what I have and look ever deeper into the closet and drawers. I learned to deny myself some things. Also, I reconditioned myself to walk to the back of Target through the center aisle rather than meandering past all the clothes.
I considered repeating the dare again this year with something else. What if I didn't buy any new books but only used the library and books loaned from friends or from paperbackswap for a whole year?
Then I had a heart attack.
And when I was revived a laughed a bit in a frightened sort of a way and promised never to think that thought again.
A general comment for the last 3 posts - I am glad you're back to writing again - I thoroughly enjoy reading your stories and reflections and I like staying connected to you, my friend. I would love to know specific ways to be praying for you this year if you want to shoot me an e-mail. Much love, Wen
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