Day 364 Of My No Shopping Challenge-WOW!

So who’s counting the days down-not I 🙂 I can’t believe that a year has passed since I’ve gone shopping. In fact, I can’t believe that the year has passed in the way that it has. There was awhile where it was super slow, then it sped up, and then it slowed down again. Maybe, that’s just how life works.

I am quietly amazed that I actually stuck with this challenge. Clothes are big part of how I express myself outwardly. I use fashion as a creative outlet. I’m not an artist in the traditional sense, but I love the process of crafting a well thought out outfit that expresses my happiness, my excitement, and yes,even my sadness.

In the months before the challenge I’d become partial to blues. I think because I find the color so soothing. Sky, water, and blue icees on a hot day. I also like deep green that reminds me of grass freshly mowed on a sunny and cool Spring day.

I’d also become attached to a lot of greys and black. Though those colors can be chic. I wore them to cover up my extra weight and the grey echoed the flat emotional state I was in when I began my challenge.

Day 364

My clothes were worn day after day and slowly my favorite pieces wore down, developed holes, and some items even exploded. Yep, I had two pairs of pants explode…in front of other people.

Socks wore through the quickest with holes showing up with alarming frequency as the year sped along.   I understood why Ma from Little House In the Prairie was always darning socks.

I discovered that having a ridiculous amount of underwear was a wonderful thing. I’m embarrassed to say that I still have a ton of new pairs in the neverending bag of new undies that I purchased in preparation for the yar.

I gave away bags of clothes. They weren’t “me” anymore. I also found myself overwhelmed by them as if the number of items  in my closet were almost smothering me.

I saved money. Thousands of dollars. That money went to trips. I went to London and was a bridesmaid. New York City on my first mommy/daughter trip in years. I went to St. Louis for FinCon13.

I thought a lot. About money, its power, the power that I gave my money. Where I spent my money on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

I became even more committed to the idea of spending locally, spending ethically, and spending in line with my values. I have developed a spending strategy that is inline with my values.

Here is My Shopping Strategy 

• Buy local or from American Manufacturers-As much as possible I’m trying to buy my clothing items locally. It’s hard to do but I do have an ongoing list of great businesses that produce in my area.

• Ethical Manufacturing-I am not interested in buying from countries where the manufacturing standards are questionable.

• Buy from Thrift Stores-I love thrift stores! It’s hard for me to believe that I used to hate thrift shopping. I’ve discovered an online thrift store that I’m OBSESSED with! Check out my thoughts on it HERE. You’ll become obsessed too.

• Clothing swaps-That I ironically never participated in during  the challenge.

• Shop My Closet-That’s a no brainer! I’m trying to really, really be intentional about using what I have so that I continue to save money while looking my best.

What I Discovered From Doing This Challenge

I found that I spent a lot of time thinking about change. Changing my life, my home, my circumstances, and my finances.

I found myself surprised how my intention to not shop for fashion became a much bigger internal conversation about how I felt about myself. There were moments when I would shop because I was depressed, lonely, and bored.

I rediscovered and actively worked on my Gratitude and began to truly appreciate what I already had: good health, a loving family, great friends, and yes, some great fashion LOL! You don’t do a challenge like this one and not change.

Moving Forward

I want to get rid of everything. I want color and low tops (yep I said it). Pumps and skinny jeans. I don’t want these things just to have them. I want to have them because I’m letting go of last decade Michelle. I’m over that girl and I’m sure my friends are too. I’m looking forward to a fresh start.

What Do You Think Your Clothes Say About You?

Do You Have A Spending Philosophy?

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Michelle

I am an obsessive foodie, but not self-righteous with it, love travel, meeting new people, helping you look good, and am freaked out by people who don't enjoying reading...something! Grab a Perrier, read my blog, feel free to drop me a line! Hope to hear from you soon.

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