Shannon, I hope you do what brings joy to your life, and I selfishly hope that means dipping into YLF from time to time. I can so relate and that's a big reason why my participation died of a few years ago. I was pressuring myself to constantly upgrade and refresh my wardrobe at a certain point and it was no longer fun. The pressure was entirely self imposed; I needed to really step back and think of WHY it was important to me to be praised on the forum for putting together a perfect outfit, vs. simply wearing items that I felt GOOD in. For a long time shopping no longer interested me, as far as clothing was concerned.

It's starting to get to be enjoyable again but in a different way that involves reading YLF still, because I adore Angie and her writing, but not really browsing other fashion blogs or spending time shopping without having specific items targeted. I needed to learn to be more disciplined and more frugal without feeling hampered by minimalistic rules that work for others, but made me feel really stifled.

Now that I'm assessing my professional vs. personal life in many ways, my wardrobe will likely be static for quite some time, but I also feel more inspired by the items currently in my closet (after beefing up holes during NAS) instead of trying to search for the "new."
I hope you will stay in touch! I always enjoy your thoughtful and well written posts.

I can relate to your post as I spent the last 4 to 5 months clearing out my IL's house. I have also been busy clearing out clutter from my own house by mainly convincing my DH that we do not need that extra kitchen set after we bought a new one 2 years ago, etc.

I have only spent $300 on myself this year on clothing and accessories (including undergarments), mainly replacing pieces that have worn out. The one thing that YLF has taught me was to think twice about what I buy before I take the plunge only to regret it later. I walk into a clothing store now with a completely different mindset than I had in the past.

Wishing you much happiness in whatever your choose!

Shannon - I completely get where you are coming from. You always need to do what is best for you. Concentrate on what feels right, what feeds your soul, and what gives you peace. I do think there is room here for all of us and I say that as someone who participates in a limited way and on their own terms. I don't post pictures for privacy reasons but also because I'm not looking for feedback or affirmation. I want to wear what's "me" and to a certain extent I don't want to be influenced by other people's opinions. OTOH, I really enjoy the discussion of how we express ourselves through clothing, getting idea and seeing what's current but always in terms of does it speak to me. This is the only blog I read regularly and participate with. I think the magic is that Angie welcomes and encourages us to interact in ways that feel right for us. So I hope you continue to share your thoughts, wisdom, insights, epiphanies selfishly because I enjoy hearing them, but I always wish you every wonderful thing no matter what you choose to do. Hugs to you awesome girl!!

Of course, I'm a multi-poster on this thread...Just adding to what others have said, I visit this community the way I check in with my IRL friends, only with style as a common interest! I'm posting less WIWs both because of time and effort constraints and because I'm less focused on needing feedback at the moment. But I still like to chat about issues big and small (shoulder pads!) and have fun shopping and problem-solving for others. Which reminds me, I need to find our next QFOD!

Please don't be a stranger!

I will miss seeing you, Shannon, but I get it. Peace and happy trails. xxx

*big hugs* Follow your heart, but know there will always be a place for you, whatever you choose to wear, wherever you choose to shop.

I understand what you're saying and where you're coming from.

I will miss you if that's the way you decide to go. Know also, you could always reduce your forum time and stop posting WIWs.

This is the ONLY "fashion" blog I follow, and one of 2 total blogs I follow. It's more about the community than anything, but follow your heart.

Ooh, and remember, I am the forum member that openly flaunts that I shop at Talbots

Ha ha, Thistle!
I do hope you (Shannon) stick around and pop in now and then. I very much enjoyed your WIWs and comments.

I love what clever Gaylene wrote. I am pleased you are in a good place.

In many ways I think being remote makes the YLF temptations easier to resist, because it is so hard to partake.

I have enjoyed your posts and hope to see you from time to time.

Gaylene put it beautifully. Of course different people use tools in different ways but I do feel that clothes is just a subject that we build a community around.
I have been missing your posts, because I like to see the outfits but also because your posts are like meeting a friend at the coffee shop and just chat.
I think the importance thing is that you feel in control of your life, and if not participating is part of what you need to achieve it I am happy for you. However I would like to stress that your presence is valued for much more than the clothes.

ETA, I love Reitmans, Winners and Old Navy :0)

Shannon - I have been on YLF for a much briefer period than you and at a much lower level of activity. I read far more than post and have yet to post a photo of any kind - WIW or otherwise. I do not have a large shopping budget and buy most of my clothes at stores like Target, JCP, and Kohl's. I try to use the advice and ideas here to help me stay current and to make the most of my limited budget instead of as a license to spend more. I enjoy reading the forums and Angie's blog, but some weeks, I read them often while I also stop reading for a few weeks at a time. I have enjoyed your posts and missed your active participation on the boards. If you feel that you need to step away from YLF, at least for a while, I respect your decision. If you feel that you want to continue to participate, but perhaps to a lesser degree or in different ways, then I welcome your continued participation and look forward to seeing you here in the future.

Your voice will be missed, Shannon.

Shannon, life is not static, it is chaotic and we can only hope to evolve quickly enough to cope with the changes. Do what feels right for you and your family but please know Angie and Greg's door is always open.

I will miss your posts too but completely understand. Fashion can be fun at at times and a burden at times. So your focus on experiences rather than things seems very wise to me.

I'm totally inspired by your cleaning out clutter. I'm going to spend time in the basement this Labor Day weekend and be ruthless. Those ancient blenders and popcorn makers need to go....

I'm glad you're all good Shannon. There are times in everyone's life when simplicity is desirable. I am reaching that same plateau in life. It is a good and comfortable place to be. I congratulate you on reaching this stage. That doesn't mean you won't change your mind in years to come. If so, then you adjust. Best wishes now and forever.

Hi Shannon, I have missed you lately too!
You are such a thoughtful person, and you will never not be a part of YLF because of this

I totally get this, Shannon. Good luck and do drop in and say "hi" every once in awhile!

Thank you for writing such a thoughtful post. I will miss your posts. All the best.

Shannon, I joined a few years ago and became active again over the summer. I hear what you are saying and support the intentional living you are doing, simplfying and paying attention to what matters to you. I can see how YLF could become 'a habit' and perhaps an obsession. For me, I learn a great deal on here from Angie and readers who post and have learned to apply in principle what supports how I want to dress. I've ordered some items that have been suggested or highlighted, like for the NAS sales, and have sent back more items than I kept. What I've learned is that I need to drive the two hours to Nordstroms and not order online as it's a waste of time. Go and try on and see for myself what looks good or not.

I compare the YLF site and my consulting it with how I consulted decor blogs when we first bought our house. The latter helped immensely in discovering products and styles I did not know about. Huge learning curve. They served that purpose and now I visit irregularly just to see new designs but I no longer need to buy anything. In fashion I do need to replenish more often and I do like to see what's possible with different outfits and styles. That doesn't urge me to buy said items. But I learn a great deal from others, more than I give back, which makes me feel guilty, of course.

I allow just so much time for online whatever as I privilege living, actively, face to face, way more and being outside.

In one word, balance. hard to achieve and different for each of us. I haven't been active enough for long enough to know you. But I sure do like your honesty and self-reflection. What you said helps me to reconsider the why behind the what. I also think taking a month off from online sleuthing of all kinds could be an eye-opener.

First, I'm glad to hear you're well--I have been thinking of you because since I joined a year ago you've been such an inspiring and loving presence here. You were so welcoming when I first joined, one of the wonderful women who made me feel accepted and included. Thank you for that.

I know where you are coming from in terms of the feelings of vanity and over abundance. Yet to me, fashion is my creative outlet. I can't draw, paint, sculpt, write, dance, sing, bake, play music or cook (just ask my poor DH about that last one). I have no creative talents to speak of. But fashion lets me experiment with someone else's art. And I love that.

Like others, this is the only fashion blog I read. I thought I'd feel guilty about the time spent here, but I've learned so much about topics like line, drape, perspective and balance. I thought I'd feel guilty about consumption and frivolous consumer goods, but I've actually spent less since joining YLF. This is a great place for me, right now, and it's thanks to people like you. You will be missed. But the great thing about YLF (as all the comments show) is you are understood: if you ever feel like popping back in to show us how you've styled a Winners or other item, well I for one would love it. You have great talent for this style thing, and IMO it's a lot more of a style thrill to craft outfits with less expensive items than it is to put together an all Eileen Fisher look. Personally I would love to know how to do the former and only spend money on the latter coz I'm stumped. Well, I'm also trying to be a more conscious consumer and i do worry about where some clothing items are made. I justify my EF (all outlet) purchases because at least she is trying in that regard.

Isn't Angie's #1 rule that fashion should be fun? I hope you find a time when it feels that way again. All the best.

Shannon add me to the chorus of already missing yous, but your feelings are completely understandable. For me YLF is mostly therapeutic - an island of civility and mutual support that makes me feel good. And fashion is my creative outlet as Aliona describes. Neither of these particularly require posting new things or even posting at all. But I enjoy that too! Dial in and out as needed. I for one will always be happy to hear and see you!

Your presence will definitely be missed! I've always felt that a big part of this forum was to let women develop their own style, in a way that suits their daily needs and lifestyle, and to have fun doing so. You clearly have an amazing style and if it's time for you to focus on other things, I hope you enjoy them too!

Thank you all for your warm thoughts and best wishes.

I am glad to hear you're well and enjoying living your life. I 100% get where you're coming from and respect your decision. It would be great to "see" you now and again. Don't be a stranger.

...and FWIW, I've picked up some pretty cool things at Reitmans over the years

Shannon - I pretty much don't shop at all - don't look at fashion blogs, don't check to see what Angie's recent "finds" are, don't take WIW pics, don't ask advice on K/R, etc. etc. - and I'm usually in shorts or jeans everyday - but I still enjoy YLF as a place to go to where I know it's going to be positive, inspiring, fun, etc. etc. I think there is a way to live the life you want to live and still feel like you have a place at/with YLF. I do!

I understand what you're saying, but I'm going to miss you, Shannon! I hope one day you might come back with a slightly different role, as Gaylene mentioned. I can understand your reasons for not wanting to post WIWs and K/R posts anymore, but I think there's a place here for people beyond that. It doesn't need to be about "keeping up". I think like you I'm at a place where I don't feel the need for so much input as I once did for what to buy and wear. But I think that's a great thing. I mean that's what I came here to learn to start with, all those years ago! I'm also on a simplicity journey myself, so I understand that having all these posts about shopping and buying and consumption seem to be contradictory to what I want for myself. But then I just look at other threads instead and it's fine. I hope you'll find what's right for you!

Shannon I am so excited and I get where you are coming from:) I just want to say that there is definitely a place here for you. Your contribution is not just what you wear, but also your thoughts, opinions, encouragements etc. Many conversations here go deeper than our outfits:) I hope you will still pop in for chat when you can, and I for one would love to hear more of your journey to minimalism if you so choose to share:)

Will miss you... but how cool to be on this exciting journey... have a fantastic time x

I really admire what you are doing and totally get it. The last couple of years I have been vocalizing my desire to simplify my life and made some small steps in that direction. Some major life changes had left me feeling that every area of my life had just gotten completely out of control. I decided I needed to get myself together and that's when I found YLF.

Ironically, YLF is helping me simplify my life. One thing that has changed for me is that I am making shopping lists and (mostly) sticking to them, which also is saving my budget. I’m not there yet, I’m still learning and figuring myself out. But it does take a fair amount of time. I just feel that the time I’m spending is an investment in myself so it’s worth it for me right now.

I’ve really enjoyed your posts and even made a home run eBay purchase from your inspiration. Your presence will be missed.

Sending my best wishes to you!

This forum is so much more than a place to talk about fashion and style. It's a community of intelligent, engaged and compassionate women who share their wisdom about life. You are one of those women, Shannon. Understandably, life takes a turn and we move on to the next chapter. Know that I adore you and that I will miss you. Also know that there is always a place for you here. Much love to you always. xo