Like a number of the FIFI bloggers (and of course inspired by Mina, who did it first and showed us all how it’s done), I have been on a no-buying-clothes plan. I started July 1 (after a flurry of late-June orders of jeans). It went very well, and even felt relaxing. I could look all I wanted and not have to stress about did I really need this or that? That question was already answered– no, I didn’t need it, and I wasn’t going to buy it. I found my online browsing drop as well. All this was to the good.
Come January 1, I decided to re-up: no clothes buying (with some exceptions: underwear, bras, replacement of much-needed items, etc.) I mean, why not? My closet and chests of drawers were still pretty full. Cleaning out my closet revealed some clothes I had ordered but never worn, which was kind of like delayed shopping (or something). So I was good to go for the next six months, right?
Honestly, it’s not that bad. But I did buy some things. Two pairs of shoes. Here they are:
The first purchase was because my sister and niece have these (in different colors), which I borrowed and wore over the Christmas holidays. I didn’t even hesitate– I ordered those suckers right away! The blue Dansko clogs were a different matter. I was, well, bored and unsatisfied with my work footwear. I wanted a pick-me-up for my feet. After several instances of abandoning online shopping carts, I finally did the deed. And honestly, I’m super happy with both of these purchases, despite the double transgression.
What does all of this mean– for my no-buying plan, for me as a person?
For my plan, I’ve resumed it. Yes, I admit, once I breached the online credit-card-use barrier, there was an initial “oh, what the hell” response. But I’m not an all-or-nothing person. By that, I mean that I know that adhering to the nothing-part of buy-nothing is pretty hard for me. But, buy-almost-nothing has been much easier than I thought. Yes, I have been doing more online browsing lately. I think that’s a function of late-winter doldrums rather than actual desire for more clothing. So I’m letting myself do that. The nice thing is, I haven’t bought anything. That feels good to me, and it feels like the right thing for me– resticking to the no-clothes-buying plan until July 1.
I’m thinking about how this pattern relates to my physical activity and other self-care resolutions. Two things come to mind, First, since all-or-nothing plans don’t suit me (maybe they don’t suit most of us), a some-of-something plan might be better. Second, I’ve been having trouble sticking to my exercise plans during February and March (except during spring break visiting family). Doing a little activity has been the most I’ve been doing. Well, okay then. Noticing what’s easier to do and when it’s easier is helping.
Hey readers, how are your all-some-none resolutions and plans going? I’d love to hear from you.
I’m now working on a list of things to buy in July…more wool black socks that don’t fall down, for example. And like you I’ve bought some things, mostly to deal with ice and snow walking. I’m good for spring and summer things. It’s been a useful exercise even if I didn’t manage it perfectly all the time.
Thanks for the update! I like that you’ve made a couple of well-considered purchases when necessary. I feel totally liberated by not shopping. I have extended it beyond clothes and footwear and accessories to camera equipment and most other things that could support my photography (like online masterclasses or processing tools). It’s been a great way to take stock of what I have and appreciate it too, and I feel as if it supporting a larger shift in my relationship to possessions and spending.
I’ve was successful for Jan and Feb, and totally failed in Mar.
I need (or “need”) pants for work. Going to a conference in Apr and am concerned that my typical professional outfits of boots with heels paired with dresses will aggravate you hip (torn labrum). It’s not warm enough for sandals yet. So I ordered a really big haul online that somehow extended to shirts and dresses in my shopping cart, and then I kept looking for new shoes and other dresses.