Hello all! I hope you’re enjoying your time indoors, relaxing, dreaming, working on the things that matter to you. I’m an introvert so I’m loving this time of social distancing to just slow down and catch up on reading, sleeping, and family time.
I wanted to share my thoughts on my shopping ban that ended on March 8. It’s been a few weeks since it ended and I’ve had time to really put my thoughts together about what happened.
First, I got tempted a lot to go thrifting because all our tour team loved thrifting. Our team would go about once a week and find some real gems. But, as time went on, the temptation died down. I came to realize that they were dissatisfied with their own wardrobe because they were bored. They didn’t go shopping out of need for new, unique pieces to really enhance their collection. They went because they were bored. I realized that I went thrifting so much because I was bored too.
While I couldn’t shop, I started to see the things I gravitated towards in my wardrobe. Even though my wardrobe was limited because I was using a carry on bag, I used certain pieces waaaay more than others. I realized that when I did go shopping, I needed to look for pieces that were similar in style, comfort, and color palette.
Third, I realized that if wasn’t comfortable and not in my color scheme, I didn’t wear it. I used to buy things that were not comfortable but super cute. And although I liked looking at it in my closet, I would avoid wearing it because I knew I wouldn’t be comfortable. Now I know to not even waste my time. If it’s not comfortable I won’t buy it.
After my shopping ban ended I went another week before I finally went shopping.
I first went to Buffalo Exchange, a thrift store in Denver, and sold a bunch of stuff from back home that I had saved that I realized I wouldn’t wear. Things like jeans that didn’t fit right, shirts that showed my stomach, and shirts with patterns I didn’t like. I got trade in money and used part of it to buy a pair of simple, plank leather sandals and a Zara floor length sun dress with an open back that will be great for nicer events I’ll be attending this summer.
Then I went to another thrift store called Plato’s Closet in Highlands Ranch and got a pink, crushed velvet, puffer jacket for the winter. It is a nicer coat that will go great with nicer outfits in the late fall, winter, and early spring. I also got two swimsuit tops that are more appropriate for the way my body looks now.
I went back to Plato’s with more stuff to sell and got trade in money. I spent it on a pair of platform black sandals, a pair of striped blue and white jeans, and an off the shoulder velvet sweater which will go well with outfits this spring and over my swimsuit at the beach when we move back out to HB. I bought a casual style cheetah print dress, a Van’s neutral striped tank top, a black crew neck, a basic American Eagle gray shirt, a cheetah print skirt, and a black jean skirt with skinny white lines. I also bought one of my favorite items I’ve ever bought, which is a floral patterned, ruffled, long sleeve, above the knee dress that will be great for a ladies night out or a date day with Mak.
In total, I spent $60 on all of those pieces combined. I feel very confident that these purchases not only will be used, but make me feel stylish and put together for any event I go to. This ban really showed me that shopping is not a solution to being bored, to really think before I buy, and to appreciate the things I have for as long as I can. I use to think it wasn’t a big deal if I only wore something a few times because I thrifted it and didn’t spend a lot of money on it. But, even if that is the case, I need to buy with intention or else I produce clutter in my life, waste my time shopping every few weeks, and waste my money buying new used things because I didn’t really think through my purchase in the first place.
“Think twice, buy once”, is my new motto.
