My final Shop Your Closet article

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Including lessons learned. Hope it inspires the current SYCers!

http://www.makeitbetter.net/be.....er+And+Out

15 years ago

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from tarzy

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fabulous! I love your 3 day rule - it works for me too.

15 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Laura, thanks - these are great ideas. I like the 3 day waiting period rule. I've actually done that a few times in the past year - saw something at the mall, tried it on, went home to think about whether I'd regret missing out on it, and if the answer was "yes" after a few days I went back to bring it home.

I've channeled my shopping time/energy into spending time at the gym nearly every day instead, so I'm hoping to redirect some of my spending habits into healthy habits.

15 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Fantastic, Laura. I still haven't seen your lovely green bag posted in a WIW? Have I missed it?

Kari, well done! The glow you get from exersizing cannot be reproduced any other way.

Angie and Laura, I love the sound of the 3 day rule. I've started keeping a running list, and not only do things get eliminated, my priorities become clearer. So saying no to one thing doesn't hurt because it's moving closer to something I'd like more.

15 years ago

PalmFronds

Active Member

Great article Laura! Love the 3-day rule idea. I also had read somewhere you should never buy anything over $100 without thinking about it for a few days, so that falls along the same line. Keeping that running list of "lust items' serves that purpose, and it is quite true that often later on you wonder why you wanted them in the first place!
I am trying to stick with the one in-one out rue myself. How are you doing post-SYC? I recall your concern about an article you had read from a different shopping ban site, where the funder returned to pre-SYC ways. Has that happened with you?

I would like to add that from my time on SYC I learned how susceptible I am to advertising.I never thought I was, but after seeing how I struggled with those ads in my email inbox, I realized that was a huge TRAP for me! To all the SYCers, get yourself off mailing lists!

15 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

That's great, Laura! Love the striped tunic you're sporting in the pic.

15 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Great article. I made myself a NY resolution: More styling, less buying. Since I joined this forum, I've learned there is a stricter manifestation called SYC.

I def. need to try SYC in 2011 as I my living space is about 400 sq ft. But wow... three months. How about if I start with one day at a time?

15 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Thanks, Laura! I've enjoyed your series.

15 years ago

Christie

Active Member

Good points about living with less, but of better quality. I'm decluttering my home too, and my closet is next.

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

Great article. My fear about the 3 day rule is that my size will be gone if I wait.... especially when I have found it on sale.

15 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone for your kind words and thanks for reading!

The 3-day rule is definitely a good one. But it's true QM, sometimes it's better to buy the item and then keep it with the tags on in your closet for 3 days. Thank goodness almost everything is returnable these days!

PF, I remember making that comment. I have sort-of returned to my old ways, and sort-of not. How's that for a strong, definitive answer? I have enjoyed looking for new items and buying some loot, but at the same time, it's tempered a bit because we are showing our house and it needs to stay as decluttered as possible.

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I do like the 3-day rule. But like QM, I often find when I return the item I wanted is gone. Which means a hunt to stores to find it. I really like the declutter mindset. If you aren't constantly putting new things in place, you finally get that breather time period to see what you really have, and determine what wardrobe holes you have.

15 years ago

Marley

Veteran

Thanks so much for sharing your experience Laura! Your articles have really inspired me to stay disciplined and allow myself to be a little uncomfortable for awhile (when I spot something that I think that I want!) and just go with the discomfort and see what I learn from it - instead of (like in the past) immediately purchasing or pursuing!

15 years ago

Anonymous

Laura, thank you for inspiring several of us to do a SYC. I've surprised myself in shopping and buying very little since it ended. Most of what I have bought has been returned. I learned that I like much of what I have and a purchase had better be special if it means I remove a least one thing when I buy it. I'm getting closer to saving for quality pieces at prices I used to not be willing to pay instead of buying several inexpensive things. With one in-one out, I'm getting very selective.

15 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

That's great, Joy. You were a very successful SYCer, during *and* after. I hope the current crowd does as well! It's not easy ... I will never forget the infamous LBD episode around Halloween

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

haha- so , how many times have you worn that LBD? (just out of curiosity)

15 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Great article Laura and thank you so much for sharing it!!

I really admired your dedication to the project for the whole 5 months you did it for, and still feel inspired to be more mindful whenever I am tempted to go shopping.

That striped tunic you are wearing is fabulous - I really love it and think it looks so good on you!!

So, do you have another exciting project in store for yourself now or is it just going to be to sell your house?

15 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

QM, I have only managed to wear the dress once! (Ducking for cover). Clearly, I need to get invited out more often.

Theresa, next step is indeed selling the house which feels like a full-time job with two little boys and frequent showings. Also job-hunting, possibly. 2011 will bring change. Not sure what change exactly but let's just say my mantra is "embrace uncertainty." Oh, and I've taken up yoga to cope with it all. Thanks for asking. How about you? Sewing a lot in 2011?

15 years ago

medusa

Veteran

Interesting article, thanks! What's the deal with the obnoxious comment on it, though?

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

That comment is a cold reminder that this forum has a lot of lurkers, and a lot of them are probably obnoxious. Sigh.

Laura, this was a very helpful article. I'm not usually an impulsive buyer, but if it's something I have been looking for for ages and I find it, I often jump on it without thinking it through. Will have to try that 3 day method.

15 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Great ideas, Laura! Thanks for sharing your SYC journey with us!

I've been keeping bookmark folders with everything that catches my eye. It's true, "wants" sometimes fizzle out, but sometimes they don't. I try to clean out my bookmarks from time to time, but it's also really helpful to hang on to links for future reference. Or in case I still need something and it goes on sale. Hehee, I guess I'm a hoarder, even for bookmarks.

As for resisting impulses, I kind of kick myself for missing out on some things I wish I had gotten when I had the chance. So I'm learning to find that gold balance between following my intuition and being careful.

Btw, I'm a big fan of your red bag

15 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Laura I think selling your home (with kids living in it!), and job hunting are enough of a challenge!!

Yes, more sewing, more decluttering and less shopping for me

15 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the heads-up on the comment, Medusa. I hadn't seen it and will handle it. You're right about obnoxious lurkers Maya!! I like your intentions for the coming year, Theresa - mine are the same (minus the sewing. Maybe I can substitute more cooking instead).

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Excellent article Laura...Fab job !!

15 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

I'm looking forward to your next series of articles!

(I'm not doing SYC, but I've learned a lot from others' experiences, and I'm working on being a much more conscious consumer.)

15 years ago

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