I think I am slightly suggestible in that I have of late (last quarter, mainly) bought a few things I'd never have thought of independently --- but often they served to define a hole I couldn't identify the shape of.
So, say, I knew an outfit felt or looked off-kilter; but didn't know what it was I needed to sort it out or de-orphan it. YLFers either told me what I needed (like the metallic shoes I would NEVER have bought last year) or inspired me to try something others were using (my new topper, several camisoles, belts). This has actually been GOOD for the budget --- because earlier I would have bought several items out of frustration and ended up spending more money, maybe on new outfits entirely and still had irritating orphans.
At other times, though, it has been more a case of finding validation rather than temptation here. I find, my budget being as tight as it is, I ultimately can turn away from temptation easily enough unless it was something I'd been secretly or fearfully been wanting to start with. Thus, my new red skinnies -- I didn't have the courage to experiment pre-YLF because I didn't know how to wear them; watching others do so made it a feasible experiment rather than potential money down the drain, which I can't afford. Ditto my black Clarks shoes, where I'd been uncertain of the style as well as comfort, and it seemed expensive without reassurance from YLFers that they are indeed worth it in terms of quality.
To an extent, it is oddly freeing to watch so many women enjoying the trends I can't --- and acknowledging they can't wear every trend any more than I can! Keeps me more focused on what my style might be, rather than just following the must-have lists, even while I try to experiment and remix.
I won't deny being occasionally envious and sometimes impatient when I (a) know I need a refresher or restocking and can't afford it as fast as some do at the turn of each season or (b) when I have this epiphany of X item being just what I need to rescue orphan Y, but have to wait to find the right iteration in my price point. It doesn't last too long though, in this positive atmosphere --- and the benefits far outweigh the drawback of that momentary twinge.
Yes, I need to better ration and use my time on here. I'm guilty of writing TOO long a post or reply most times, and must edit better for your sakes as much as mine. But SYC isn't the issue there, time is.
Re SYC, the interesting thing that happened in my last months of it, after two years of struggling, was that positive feedback on what did work actually helped me feel more confident, less distressed about my appearance or frump factor, less depressed by restrictions (hey, look, there are other ladies in this boat with me---and they look fab! maybe I can too?) and thus less likely to spend on a whim or feel angsty when walking past something I like in a shop window.
