Author: Debbie Roes

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April “Love It, Wear It” Challenge Update

Before I delve into my April update on the “Love It, Wear It” Wardrobe Challenge (LIWI), I would like to say a few things in reference to my last post.  I actually considered dedicating an entire post to this topic, but I decided to just write about it it here instead.   Judging from some of the comments I received, it seems that perhaps I wasn’t clear in the way I wrote about my April overshopping, so I’d like to clarify the situation now.

Explaining Isn’t the Same as Excusing

While I wrote about the reasons why I ended up shopping too much last month, it was not my intention to excuse it in any way.  I take full responsibility for buying too many items and spending too much time, energy, and money on clothes during April.  I acknowledge that my behavior was not in line with my goals for having a smaller, more cohesive, and more functional wardrobe, as well as my desire to trade my full closet for a full life.   I know that using shopping to try to deal with my emotional issues is a dead end and will never make me happy or lead to long-term fulfillment. I have definitely learned that much in the almost two and a half years of writing this blog.

Too much shopping

Setbacks are normal as we work to overcome compulsive shopping.

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April 2015 Accountability Update

The last month has felt like one of the longest of my life.  Yes, I know the number of days was basically the same as in all other months, but because of all of the stress I had going on, it seems like April was more like three or four months long.   It really does seem like ages ago since I posted my last accountability update, but it was actually only 35 days ago.   Sometimes time flies, but the past month has really dragged for me…

With all that said, it’s now time for my April accountability update. For those who are new to the blog, these monthly reports are where I share what came into and left my closet during the previous month and how I did with my shopping budget.   It’s my way of keeping myself honest and on track with my wardrobe and shopping.

Full Honesty and Accountability

It’s important to be honest with ourselves about our shopping.

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What Are Your Wardrobe Do’s and Don’ts?

This is the first post of the month, which is usually when I do my accountability update for the previous month (see previous months’ reports here).  However, those posts take me a while to put together and I’m still working on it, so I’m going to do a short post today that I’ve been meaning to do for a while.  Stay tuned for my April accountability update later this week and my LIWI Challenge update early next week.

When we are working to overhaul or refine our personal style, it can be helpful to take some time to consider and write about what we like and what we don’t like.   As you know, I’ve been honing my style for quite some time now.  My work with Bridgette Raes (see the series beginning with this post), as well as my outfit journal (see the two most recent posts here and here), have been integral parts of that journey.   I’ve become more and more aware of how I want to present myself to the world and what does and doesn’t feel right to me.

wardrobe do's and don'ts

Do you have lists of your wardrobe do’s and don’ts?

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April 2015 “Grab Bag” of Useful Links

It’s the last day – and the last post – of the month, so it’s time for me to share my latest “grab bag” of useful links (see previous editions here).   But before I do, I want to thank everyone who gave me such kind feedback on my last few posts related to the subject of hobbies.  I loved all of the wonderful suggestions I received for new interests, as well as the compassion you extended to me regarding my challenges of late.

In addition, I was very pleased that so many of you liked the photographs I shared in my last post.  It meant a lot to me that some of you complimented my eye for composition.  I feel like I’m on the right track with my new hobby and I’m sure my photos will only improve with time.  A few of you mentioned that you’d like me to share more of my photos in future posts, so I plan to do that periodically.   In fact, I took the photo below just yesterday at the La Jolla Cove!  It was a beautiful day here in San Diego, so it was nice to spend a bit of time at the beach capturing the landscape for my sick friend and all of you.

La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove swimmers and sunbathers – April 29, 2015

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Things to Do Besides Shopping – Cultivating New Hobbies and Pastimes

Before I dive into today’s topic, I want to thank all those who took the time to either comment on my last post or send me personal messages.  I appreciate all of the kind words and helpful suggestions I have received and I feel blessed to have such a compassionate and generous group of readers.   Due to the sheer volume of comments, I probably won’t be able to respond to each one individually, but please know that I am extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to write to me.  It truly means a lot to me that you care so much about me and my well-being.   I will respond to as many of you as I can in the coming days.

I would like to continue on the topic of hobbies and pastimes today.   I was originally going to share a new interest I’ve recently started to explore, but since I received so many wonderful ideas for new activities, I thought I’d share some of them here first.  I know that not everyone reads the comments on this blog, but so many great suggestions were offered to me that I’d like to pass them along. I know many of you also wrestle with ways to spend your time besides shopping, so perhaps some of the possibilities below will resonate with you.   I will share my new hobby in a post next week (and yes, it’s included on the list below).

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