Month: November 2013

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A Different Kind of Shopping

Yesterday, I went to the mall.  It’s something I’ve done countless times before and it used to be something I did weekly, if not more often.  In fact, it was pretty much my “default activity.”  I shopped when I was happy, sad, anxious, frustrated, overwhelmed, bored, or whatever other emotion dominated my mindset.  I shopped regardless of whether or not I really needed anything new. Shopping was my favorite hobby and I didn’t need a reason, just a destination.

My trip to the mall yesterday was different in several significant ways.  In today’s post, I share what was different, how I felt, and what it all means in terms of my recovering shopaholic journey.  As with all of my posts, it’s my hope that you’ll learn from my experience, both from my past mistakes and from the knowledge I’ve gained as I worked to overcome my compulsive shopping problem. Continue reading →

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October Accountability Update

With one more month in the history books, it’s time for another accountability update.  For my newer readers, I’ve committed to post on a monthly basis about what left my closet, what came in, and how I’m doing with my clothing budget and shopping rules for the year.  These posts help to keep me honest and on track for fulfilling my goals for 2013 and beyond.

Shopping Accountability Updates

Even though most of you don’t have blogs, I highly recommend that you conduct some sort of regular review (if not monthly, than at least quarterly) of your wardrobe in-flow and out-flow and how much you’re spending on clothing and related purchases.  Although I’ve engaged in wardrobe tracking for almost three years and clothing expenditure tracking for nearly eleven years, the reviews I’ve been doing this year have been even more enlightening.  For one, I’m usually surprised at how many new pieces have entered my closet each month, even during the months when I believe I’ve shopped very little. Continue reading →

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Wanting Less and More at the Same Time

As human beings, we can sometimes be walking contradictions. We often say one thing and act in a completely opposite manner.  This is definitely true for me in terms of minimalism and simplicity.  I say I want a simpler and less complicated life, yet my past “maximalism” still hasn’t been completely exorcised from my psyche.

Less and More Dichotomy

Do you struggle with the less vs. more dichotomy?

Another Type of Excess Besides Clothes

I’ll tie this discussion in to clothing and wardrobe shortly, but allow me to start with another personal example…  I subscribe to a lot of magazines; too many, in fact.  This excess happened gradually, as I regularly received low-cost subscription offers from a number of publications.  I’d see the offer and think, “Only $12 for a year?  Of course I’ll subscribe!”  And so it went, until piles and piles of magazines were delivered to me each month. Continue reading →