Many people make New Year's resolutions, but not many stick with them. It can be hard to commit to something for a whole year, or forever.
So I made a resolution, but it wasn't necessarily a New Year's one. It was more of a January resolution, and really, much more of a January goal. I promised myself that I wouldn't purchase any clothing for the entire month of January. And believe me, it was hard. I know it probably sounds like I'm being a bratty baby, cause what's 31 days without a new shirt or pair of shoes? But it's 31 d a y s.
Curbing my itch to shop was difficult all on its own, but it became even more challenging when my friends asked me to go shopping with them. Even though I tagged along on some shopping trips, I resisted the temptation to buy. But in doing so, I realized something: For as much as I like to shop on my own, I get roped into purchasing clothes simply because I decide to join a friend on a trip to Michigan Avenue.
Throughout January, I was successful in my efforts to avoid shopping, and it was because I set a short-term resolution, one I knew would end in 31 days. And at the end of January, I felt accomplished, even if I had gone out and bought something Feb. 1 (I didn't).
So have something you want to cut back on or change about your routine? Try doing it for just one month. If at the end you feel accomplished and not deprived, then try making it a more long-term goal.
Clothing is my guilty pleasure, which shouldn't be a surprise—I run a fashion blog for Christ's sake. But I wanted to cut down on the amount of clothing I was purchasing and be a more conscious consumer. My closet is overflowing. I have many garments that look the same, and I was generally indulging too much in retail therapy.
Besides, I began thinking about all the money I could save if I just stopped shopping as much.
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| Me looking guilty after a shopping spree. |
Curbing my itch to shop was difficult all on its own, but it became even more challenging when my friends asked me to go shopping with them. Even though I tagged along on some shopping trips, I resisted the temptation to buy. But in doing so, I realized something: For as much as I like to shop on my own, I get roped into purchasing clothes simply because I decide to join a friend on a trip to Michigan Avenue.
Throughout January, I was successful in my efforts to avoid shopping, and it was because I set a short-term resolution, one I knew would end in 31 days. And at the end of January, I felt accomplished, even if I had gone out and bought something Feb. 1 (I didn't).
So have something you want to cut back on or change about your routine? Try doing it for just one month. If at the end you feel accomplished and not deprived, then try making it a more long-term goal.
It's now Feb. 2 and I have all this freedom to go shop. I accomplished my goal. Don't I get a reward?
Realistically, I know I'll have to eventually buy new clothing because how else will I sustain my blog? But I think I have enough for now, and whether or not I buy clothes every month going forward, I will make a conscious effort not to over indulge, not to be excessive and to understand when too much is simply just too much.
Regardless of how I use my purchasing power in months to come, I've accomplished something and it's worth being proud of. And since I was able to make it through all 31 days of January, I'm confident I can make it through the remaining 26 days of February.
Realistically, I know I'll have to eventually buy new clothing because how else will I sustain my blog? But I think I have enough for now, and whether or not I buy clothes every month going forward, I will make a conscious effort not to over indulge, not to be excessive and to understand when too much is simply just too much.
Regardless of how I use my purchasing power in months to come, I've accomplished something and it's worth being proud of. And since I was able to make it through all 31 days of January, I'm confident I can make it through the remaining 26 days of February.
