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I love this piece, from the fabulous Ann Patchett via the NYT, about her year of no shopping. I liked it so much that I while I originally had it saved for a weekend update post, I decided to share it for a dedicated post.
First – Patchett is such a great writer that of course everything comes to life when she writes about it. But it’s also about one of my favorite topics, which I struggle with and both aspire to – having less stuff. A year without buying (most) things! It’s a long time. And a really great goal.
I thought about doing this for myself for all clothes, but gave it up in about one second – I just don’t think it’s attainable, so I’d feel like a failure right away, and I get some joy and stress relief out of shopping. And aren’t we all STRESSED right now? So. Instead I decided to adapt it for myself – I am going to start with buying no more cosmetics, hair products, until I use them all up. And while I don’t think I can stop clothes all together, I’m going to stop purchasing sleepwear and loungewear (both my weaknesses -especially cute sets) until I wear out my existing ones. It might be a while! And then maybe I’ll try with scarves…and socks..and more…
I thought about keeping a list about all the times that I don’t buy something, but honestly that sounds like too much upkeep right now. I think instead at the end of each month I’ll try to generally reflect, and then contribute to a cause I believe in, instead. Since February is almost already over and I’m giving myself credit just for well, just not tearing out all my hair, I’ve choosing World Central Kitchen.
Have you ever done a “no buy” month/year? I would love to hear some of your learnings and tips!
17 Comments
Anonymous
February 28, 2022 at 10:04 amGiven this blog started out as a fashion blog, I thought it courageous to share one’s reluctance with shopping – so many fashion bloggers rely on people doing shopping therapy.
Kat
March 1, 2022 at 8:25 pmThank you..honestly I would like to buy less but then I also do get joy from shopping..it’s a struggle for me to post at times as I don’t want to sound like a hypocrite, but also want to be honest
Eileen
February 28, 2022 at 10:25 amI’m trying a “low buy” this year and allowing myself to buy one apparel or cosmetic item per month. I’m hoping it results in more thoughtful purchases.
Kat
March 1, 2022 at 8:25 pmThat’s a good goal! One a month sounds attainable.
Jaime Stephens
February 28, 2022 at 12:16 pmI’m going to try the same. I have too much of almost everything and it makes getting dressed much more difficult than having a finely curated wardrobe. More is not more.
Kat
March 1, 2022 at 8:26 pmI would love to hear how you are doing as you go along!
Jeannine520
February 28, 2022 at 2:32 pmNever have, never will. What happens if I come across THE thing I’ve been wanting/needing/looking for? The only choices are to deny myself the item or feel like a failure. Neither of those options are good. I prefer to challenge myself with my fitness and diet, at least I get something out of it that’s important to me. I love fashion too much to put anything, especially something self imposed, in the way of enjoying it. A new pair of YSL boots makes me immensely happy when I get to build outfits around them and wear them. A new color of lipstick is great fun, A big antique brooch to wear on a scarf brings glamour and polish to an ordinary day. When I find interesting or fun things or have a spark of an idea of something that will transform a look I BUY it. I get that’s unpopular with a lot of people but we are all here for a different reason and I’m here to have fun.
Alisa Gabriel
March 1, 2022 at 7:47 amI agree! As long as we aren’t taking out second mortgages, spending our kids’ college funds, or becoming hoarders, I see no reason to deny ourselves pleasure or feel guilty.
That said, I do try to stick to the rule of AT LEAST “one thing out” when I buy something new. That way I can enjoy updating/upgrading my closet without amassing too much stuff.
Kat
March 1, 2022 at 8:27 pmI love this perspective too, thank you for sharing it. And it makes total sense.
mtl
February 28, 2022 at 8:13 pmI love this so much! I am leaning heavily into experiences in 2022 and that’s where I want to put my money. I feel like I have SO much of everything I could want and not enough occasions to wear it all. I need more time to just wear the things my closet already has, not amass more. I’m going to try buying one thing per quarter and I don’t include things that I actually need (eg if I don’t have enough sports bras to get me through to the next wash without stressing, I’m going to get myself a new sports bra so that I have enough between wash cycles.). I would also like to limit what I buy for the kids, which I tend to be more generous with. I haven’t figured out a strict mechanism yet for this, but my general rule of thumb is to buy 5 of any one item for them (5 tees, 5 shorts, 5 pants, etc) and that tends to be enough. Mostly it’s about buying things they like and making it to the next wash (see how washing clothes is an important decision factor here??! 🙂 ).
Thank you for always being such an inspiring source in my weekly reading!! You are such a bright spot for my life and I’m so grateful.
Kat
March 1, 2022 at 8:29 pmThe kids stuff is so hard to limit! I like the rule of 5. Thank you for reading 🙂
R
March 1, 2022 at 4:53 am2022 is my year of no shopping! No clothes! No accessories! I honestly don’t even need to buy replacement basics. Two months in! Honestly the deluge of stuff (even after purges) was more stressful than the dopamine hit from shopping. After 2 years of staying at home all my stuff is new again. I’m rediscovering clothes I haven’t worn in YEARS. Yes, I still scroll through stores on my phone, put items in my cart, but the torture and time of hemming and hawing over purchases is absent. I scroll to enjoy pretty things.
Lucetta
March 1, 2022 at 11:31 amvery interesting! My dear husband challenged me to stop shopping.
BTW my last purchases were three James Pierce tee shirts DH and he has lived in them since the start of covide.
basically i buy groceries,food & take out expresso twice a week.
Major expense previously was travel to see my family on another continent.
Getting a tad itchy to get back home but have no idea when it will be truely safe.
Kat
March 1, 2022 at 8:29 pmI hope you can see your family soon….and I love James Perse too.
Anonymous
March 1, 2022 at 9:09 pm@meghall from forthelonghall blog did a no shop 2019 and shared it. She did a big recap post on her blog.
Elaine
March 2, 2022 at 1:21 pmI did a no new clothes and accessories shopping for a year (it was ok to get used items from thrift stores or ebay– there wasn’t the RealReal at the time). I made a contract (with my husband) and came up with a bunch of tactics to keep me from getting tempted (unsubscribe to emails, just don’t go to the mall, etc.). In the end I did it, no new clothing, shoes or accessories for the year, except I went crazy with the makeup and beauty items (which was still allowed). So in the end I learned that no shopping for a year doesn’t work for me and that the problem is my consumer habits. I still do no shopping months as a form of “detox” (I do no-buy challenges in January, June, and July). And now no shopping also includes beauty items and home items. This year I’m also doing a low buy challenge, so I’m writing down everything I do buy to help keep me accountable (and I’m still struggling lol). I recommend the book “Consumed” by Aja Barber and the “The Day The World Stops Shopping” by J.B. Mackinnon to get some deconsumer inspiration and to get an idea of the havoc our collective shopping habits are doing to our world.
Kat
March 2, 2022 at 4:32 pmVery interesting insights – thank you for sharing! At least not going to the mall is easy right now ..