Behavior & Psychology

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Why I’m Skipping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale started last Friday.   This has always been my favorite sale of the year, my “holy grail” of sales shopping.  I looked forward to it all year and when mid-July rolled around, I was ready to shop until I dropped (or at least until I dropped a veritable fortune on clothes, shoes, and accessories!).

A Plan of Action and a Change of Heart

Up until last week, I thought I’d shop the sale this year as I always have.  However, as a result of what I’ve learned from writing this blog, I intended to approach the sale from a different perspective and shop much more wisely.  I had planned to write a post about shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with my new resolve and share how I met this challenge head on.

Saying No to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

I’ve decided to sit out this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

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Shopping for Acceptance

In previous posts, I explored “The Reasons We Shop Too Much” and “Why Continue to Shop?”  Those articles covered a lot of the reasons why compulsive shoppers continue to buy more and more, even when we don’t really need anything and may be in debt as a result of over-shopping.  Today’s post looks at another reason for shopping too much and one that I’ve determined is a primary driver of my shopaholic behavior.

“Normal” Shoppers vs. Shopaholics

When we visit the mall, a local boutique, or our favorite online store, we usually think we’re shopping for a new dress, pair of shoes, or fun accessory to add sparkle to our outfits.  For people who don’t have a compulsive shopping problem, the surface “need” is probably all that’s there.  They determine a gap in their wardrobes and shop to fill that gap.  Even if they happen to pick up an unplanned item on a shopping jaunt, there probably aren’t any underlying psychological reasons for the extra purchase.

Shopping for Acceptance

What if what you really need can’t be bought in any store?

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Project 333 Week Ten Update

It’s Monday, so it must be time for another one of my weekly Project 333 updates.  If you’re new to the blog and would like to read my previous Project 333 posts, click here.  If you are interested in started Project 333 yourself, this page provides an overview and general rules of the challenge.  If you’d like more information and help with delving into the Project 333 challenge, I highly recommend the “Dress with Less” microcourse.

Before I delve into my update, I’d like to thank everyone who commented on my posts last week, especially my Friday “Boring Wardrobe – or Boring Life?” post.  It means a lot to me to have the support of my readers!  I enjoy reading your comments and value all of your input and insights.  While I may not choose to implement everything suggested (at least not right away), I appreciate your taking the time to reach out to me to share your experiences and feedback.

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Boring Wardrobe – or Boring Life?

Pondering life boredom issues

Is it really your wardrobe you’re bored with?

In recent weeks, I’ve been complaining about my boredom with my Project 333 wardrobe capsule.  I haven’t been excited to wear the same 33 garments over and over again and have found myself yearning for the wide selection I had with my pre-challenge closet.  I reasoned that if I could just have more clothes to choose from, I might feel excited about my wardrobe again.

My Wardrobe is Not the Problem

Although a wider selection of garments might quell my wardrobe ennui for a short period of time, I suspect that the boredom would come back with a vengeance before too long.  Then I would reason that more shopping would be necessary to inject new life and versatility into my closet.  I would then go shopping, buy new things, and feel excited and happy for a while, only to see the boredom creep back in a few weeks later.

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Neglected Wardrobe Areas

As many of you know by now, I spend a lot of time at home.  I’m self-employed and have a variable schedule.   A lot of the things I do involve sitting in front of my computer in my home office.  While I’m working from home, I generally wear workout clothes and loungewear.  I also spend a lot of time exercising, including almost daily walks by the water with my husband and trips to the gym a few times per week.

Neglected Wardrobe Areas

Have you overlooked a key area of your wardrobe?

Something’s Wrong with This Picture

Even conservatively, I would guess that I spend 50% or more of my waking hours in athletic wear of some sort.  Surprisingly, however, a very low percentage of the money I spend on shopping goes toward this clothing category.  We’re talking an expenditure of maybe 5% of my total clothing dollars, if that.  An abundance of attractive athletic wear is available in stores, but the garments I wore until very recently were old, pilling, stretched out, and long past their prime.

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