I like stuff. I have a packed closet and many Pinterest boards to prove it. So I started this year off with a new project, in an effort to save money, use what I have, and consume less I’m trying not to purchase any new clothes until at least June of this year. I’m documenting what I wear every day over here. I’m only 8 days in but here’s what I’ve learned so far.
1.) I have enough. This was the biggest thing I wanted to remind myself by embarking on this project. I have more than enough. It may feel good to buy more stuff but I often consume without thinking and it’s nice to look at my closet and focus on what I DO have and not what I might want.
2.) I’m grateful. A daily practice keeps you mindful and grateful. Duh, right? But it’s true. I think more about what I have and I feel lucky I’m in a place where I am able to get what I need when I need it.
3.) I have too much and I can let go. I’ve always been in the habit of closet purging a couple times a year but there’s a lot I hold onto for that time when I might be a different weight, or that dress I swear I will totally redesign, or that one thing I can’t let go of for sentimental reasons. This process is teaching me to let go. I don’t need the oversized pair of earrings that are too heavy to wear for more than an hour. I’ve started piles that I add to weekly, things I want to give away that I know someone else will need and use.
4.) I don’t like how I look in photos. But I’m becoming a lot more accepting and nicer to myself. I didn’t think this project would hit on self acceptance but it weirdly has. I like the way I look. It’s ok to say that.
5.) It’s really hard to take a daily photo of yourself. See #4. It can also get really boring. I’m forcing myself to get a little more creative with my photos. Because even though I am getting more used to seeing myself on my blog I do not want 365 days of selfies.
6.) It’s easier than I thought to consume less. Ok, let’s be real, I’m eight days into this project. But it’s not really as hard as I thought it would be to not buy stuff. When I see something I want that I might normally buy I just add it to Pinterest which kind of gives me that hit of shopping high I would normally get from buying. And I know it’s there, tucked away if I want to check it out again. Wow this is making me sound like a crazy person isn’t it?
7.) I’m not missing out on new stuff. Stuff is there, it will always be there. I have clothes from years ago that I still wear, that are still ‘in style’. If I don’t buy clothes for 3 months or a year I won’t miss out on anything. I will still be able to find bohemian blouses in 2020.
8.) It feels good to do something daily. It’s like a tiny promise I’m keeping with myself and it makes me feel proud. As someone recently taught me the emotions behind the goals we set for ourselves are more important than the goals themselves. So I’m paying attention to how this daily act makes me feel.
9.) I’m doing this for me. Sure the blog keeps me accountable, and saying you are going to do something out loud usually helps you actually do it, and sometimes I like an audience. But this project, these photos, they are for me, and it feels good to acknowledge that.
10.) I can quit anytime. Seriously. That same smart person who was talking to me about goals recently told me he never shares his goals publicly – like he doesn’t say I’m going to do X for X amount of time. He just does it and then shares what he’s doing with people. So it’s not about how long he does something or the specific goals but the act of doing that’s celebrated. Then failing gets removed from the equation because no one is holding you to ‘you said you would do X for X month!’.
I’ve started this project, I’ve already benefitted and learned things, if I stop tomorrow I haven’t failed.
