How do you make the time? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How do you make the time?

Jean Gray

Maybe I'm just not a good multi-tasker but I find that for as much as I love this forum, I find myself quickly overwhelmed and a little obsessed with it.
How do you balance/schedule/make time for participating on the forum, scoping out fashion, shopping online and in person? Do you ever get overwhelmed by the process of pulling your wardrobe together? Do you find yourself setting rules/limits for yourself? For instance, you only go on the forum a couple times a week for just an hour or you always shop on Tuesday night.
Please share!

Jean

Shopping

23 replies

Latest reply was from Jean Gray

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Off work and still laid up from running by my ankle sprain. I have WAY too much time to surf here
Shopping, I've limited myself to a budget for the year. So far, I'm perennially a month ahead of schedule but doing okay I do more window shopping than actual purchasing.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I've been spending a lot of time on fashion related stuff these last few months. I've had to replace my wardrobe due to weight loss. Thank goodness for a tax return and an understanding husband. Now that I have enough things to wear to not fear being naked, I'm continuing to add to my wardrobe within my monthly budget amount.

I'm a SAHM mom who homeschools, and I tend to take my resting breaks here. So while it may seem some days like I'm here all day, I'm really not. I like to sit for a few minutes, check the forum and other places I go, and then walk away again.

And I seem to go in spurts. My fashion time had tapered off a bit until I decided my shoes needed major help. So the last week has involved lots of shoe focused time, photos, research, etc. Once I get that figured out, my time will taper off again.

Today I'm fighting a cold and not feeling well, which usually means I sit here more than my daily average.

Edited to change "months" to "minutes"... a pretty important change.

MsMary

Veteran

I tend to take my breaks here, too. And I just sent my son off the the Marines and my hubby off to Texas for a long work project, so I have a good amount of time for fashion-related hijinx.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

We're not allowed to use work computers for Facebook. There's not a whole lot that we can do when we don't have patients.

Sylvie

Veteran

Don't ask me how I make the time, because I have a really hard time doing it. I tend to be very intermittent with my time here - I'll be on every day for a week and then disappear for another week.

When I did my last round of purchases I spent 2-3 weeks where every evening was spent reading the forum or looking at clothing sites online, and finally going to stores in person to check clothes out. After that I needed a break, but I've still got a few things on my list, so I'm back and hunting.

Once every two months, I'll take a weekend day and try to cover as many stores as possible. I just can't seem to find time to do it any more often than that. I'm curious as to how often others actually go and visit physical stores? I would love to shop online but I'm so hard to fit that I'd return 99% of what I bought (and paying return shipping fees is no fun).

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

This is my only hobby; I make time for it as a break from my real life Self-time is very important, no?

Barbara

Veteran

I allow myself an hour or so a day for YLF and internet browsing, usually Ebay. My schedule is very flexible, so I have time to fit everything in, including twice-weekly brick and mortar store shopping. I recently purged and updated my wardrobe and have ALWAYS had a budget, so going wild shopping is not an option!

REALLY knowing your personal style is key.

anne

Veteran

Jean - I meant to get to this days ago, so hope your still reading!

I absolutely struggle with this issue, and have had to have times where I go off YLF for a while, 4-6 weeks at times, so get my life in order. Just recently did it at the start of the Aussie school year. Often do let myself read the blog posts, perhaps once a week as it is more efficient

Am now experimenting with a program another YLFer mentioned, called Leechblock (for Firefox), which can be set up to restrict your access to particular sites to certain times or time limits.

In terms of time spent actually physically shopping, I only have a few days a year, and need to be focused. I tend to spend more time thinking about it, looking at sites etc at the beginning of each season. Once I have most of my list, I can shop not at all, or not much for the next 6 months or so.

Hope this helps

marianna

Veteran

I really struggle with this too. When I was unemployed I was VERY active on YLF but since getting a full-time job, I just don't have the energy! I still read the blog and forum more than daily, but I can't find the energy to actually comment... too much work for my tired little fingers on some days. I comment and am more active on my days-off from work, like today!

nancylee

Veteran

I'm an empty-nester and I also have a very flexible work schedule, so it's not hard for me to find the time (sometimes TOO much time!) to noodle around with fashion and YLF. Believe me, I didn't spend this kind of time on fashion when raising the little one....

I think the idea of setting some sort of limit/schedule for the fashion part of your life is a good one for anyone. An hour a day seems reasonable (like Barbara suggested). That said, I've tried to set limits for myself but have had little success holding to them!

cheryl

Veteran

No internet at work, but im on and off all day on my days off. If im home my computer is always on and i will be productive for a while then take a short break and check in here and facebook, etc. Some days i comment more than others. Just my mood of the day, lol.

Tessera

I homeschool too, so I like to check the forum in the early mornings, before the beginning of the work day. What I'd really like to know is how people find time to shop for what they need, and how much time you all spend on acquiring your clothes. It seems to take FOREVER to find things on my lists and I don't have the time to regularly browse shops in person. For example, I'd like to find some white linen pants that are cut loosely, with plenty of room for the booty but cinch in at the waist, and no see-through. They've been on my list for several years. I'd also like some shorts with similar qualities that fall below the knee. I've looked at multiple stores with no luck. Finally found a pair of black linen blend pants at Coldwater Creek that fit well, so I've ordered the white version but I have no idea if there will be see-through. And it gets too hot where I live to wear a pants liner. I have similar difficulty finding casual summer dresses with sleeves. Whole seasons will pass while I spend scarce free time searching for what I want and can't find. Does anyone else have this issue?

Sheila

Veteran

Tessara, I can identify with your frustration at how long it takes to find just the right thing you are looking for. There is probably no substitute for a determined commitment to getting it right, unless you sew or know someone who can make these white pants for you. Actually, since I do sew, I would say that pants are pretty easy to sew and also to fit, once you have made the necessary adjustments to the pattern. Have you considered this option?

Anonymous

I'm on here a few times a week, in between a myriad of other to-do's. I shop a couple of times a month via thrift, never online, and rarely retail. Building a wardrobe takes a lot of patience and trial and error. I have a wardrobe now that is very interchangeable, allowing me to grab-and-go, I just add some accessories and I'm out the door. It wasn't always so, however. I made a lot of mistakes along the way, trying to figure out MY style, My body, etc. I LOVE lots of clothes, but not all clothes love me! A lot of tears, headaches and frustration brought me to the place where I finally have a closet that loves me back. My clothes work for me now so I am free to get on with my life! I also don't obsess with getting new things all the time. I don't have the income for that like I used to. Hope that helps!

Tessera

Hi Sheila, yes I do sew and DIY is my back-up plan. However, I don't really enjoy it and I still have the time issue to contend with. For example, in cooler weather I like to wear dresses or tunics with pants, but needed something with a smooth front (like leggings) but a full, straight leg. I ended up making them but they've been waiting for weeks to be hemmed and now the weather is heating up. Oh well, I can put them in storage for fall. I think I am going to have to make summer dresses, if I want sleeves (which I do). Thanks for the response.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Like others, I just pop in from time to time for ten minutes, although I often leave myself logged in for hours, so it looks like I'm on here a lot! In reality, I'm working, often (literally) waiting for paint to dry. I think of it as the equivalent of taking little smoke breaks, only I haven't smoked in years.

As far as shopping goes, I never shop or buy online, because I prefer to try things on in a store. I live in a fairly big city so I have lots of choices. I'm not a fan of shopping, actually, but I have a few shopping areas I like and will go from time to time to see what's new -- probably once every month or two. However, that's not including the times I pop into the mall to replace torn hose and such.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I love on-line shopping and try to limit myself (without too much success). My only retail options are a TJ Maxx, Ross, and Kohl's 25 miles away. No Macy's, no Nordstrom. I cannot surf while working unless it's really slow (restaurant). Now is our busy season. I log onto YLF as a form of relaxation and to socialize. I never feel bad about spending time here or posting a lot of comments. This is a very therapeutic fun place for me to be. I don't exactly shop less being here, though, I still shop a lot. But I do shop within my means.

April

Veteran

I take a quick peek early in the morning, then am away until late afternoon. After work, I make a cup of tea and sit down to read the blog post(s), then check the forum.

Since I don't work in the summers, I'm around a lot more then. I also have a lot more time in the summer to get into trouble in brick-and-mortar stores, with far too much encouragement from my fellow YLFers.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I am a new Mum and spend a lot of time sitting down breastfeeding - so I have a lot of time to occupy!

Prior to that I used to take a look first thing in the morning while having breakfast and at some point during the evening.

Everyone has different priorities off this forum and there are a lot of people who read both the blog and the forum but don't necessarily have time to participate and others have more time. People do come and go as their life changes as well.

Shopping wise, since moving from NZ to the UK I have frequently shopped online. There are often better deals available. I do only shop online from sites that I can return items for free.

Cilleena

Veteran

I pop in for a few minutes first thing in the morning, then back for about an hour in the afternoon when my little ones nap. Occasionally, I'll get a little more time in the morning if I'm homebound with sick kids...but then it's just a few minutes here and there, between feeding little ones, cleaning, doing laundry, etc.

I don't have another obssession, err...hobby at the moment and I need time for myself, so I don't worry about my time on YLF too much.

I pretty much only shop online, unless it's Target. Nothing else is local and shopping with little ones is no fun.

Tessera

Oops, I forgot to answer Jean's questions: I am on the e-mail lists of several retailers (Nordstrom, Macys, AT Loft, etc.) When they send me seasonal and sale notices, I go to their sites and see what they have. If I find something, I check whether it's available in the local store in my size/color. Then I try to find a schedule loophole in my week to run over and try it on. I've gotten picky, so this doesn't happen really often. Certain types of things I will buy on-line as I already know they are likely to look good, or returns are easy (hello zappos.com!). If I feel like I've been spending too much, I start erasing the e-mails without opening them. Right now, I'm looking for a pair of mustard yellow sandals for summer. (I like the Lifestride Taco Thong in Old Gold, but it's not leather, so I'm leery...)

rosee

Veteran

I don't have a fixed schedule right now, so I pop in for short periods of time a few times a day (but I have been forgetting to log out!) to participate in the forum and read the blogs.
I do a fair bit of shopping online -- "windows" shopping at least -- b/c I'm needing a lot of replacement clothing lately. I usually look for ideas (I stalk items) but don't buy as much as I 'd like to. Some brick and mortar retail too, but I really need to save for the next Value Village haul (both time and money). I don't want to buy pricey clothes at my new larger size and I want to be frugal with what I buy so I'm not tempted to stay at this size.
I'm on YLF a bit more than I usually would be b/c I'm looking for inspiration for a new style too. A lot of clothing that worked well for me when slimmer doesn't work with my new size /shape, so I am looking for new ideas. I also spend some time on health and wellness sites for food and exercise ideas (but I pretty much know what works, problem is that it is working in baby steps and I'm a little impatient).

Jean Gray

Thank you all for your responses. Though I suspected as much, I'm glad to have confirmation that I'm not the only one who gets a little obseessed with this at times! And Anne, how thoughtful of you to find this post again...I was so surprised to see it again! I will have to look into that time limit thing on firefox. Thank you for mentioning it.