I feel pretty ready to be done with the fast. After buying way too many shirts last summer, a couple of which were purged at the end of the season, I did a good job buying my fall and winter 5s. I decided to limit myself to a couple of any type of item. For example, two tees, two jeans, etc. I have a fairly large wardrobe so overbuying new items in a season just leads to them getting lost in the crowd, so to speak.

I've been following your journey with interest, Sterling. Thanks for sharing your thought process - it can be really helpful to hear how others approach an issue. And the discussion you have generated on this and the previous threads has been informative and at times entertaining. (Of course, I could say that about the majority of threads here in this thoughtful - in both senses of the word - community!)

Anyway, when I originally started reading your updates, I never seriously considered that taking a declared "time out" from shopping would be a useful tool for me. But I strongly identify with the issue you have been addressing - as smittie expressed so well when she said "thinking you have a plan, but the plan is actually just a collection of whims." Oh my gosh - YES - that is so true of me!

More and more, I am thinking of hopping on the train for a defined period of time. Thanks for the inspiration.

Now I am off to collect me thoughts about this.

Sounds like you are in a great place! And it makes me think that I often spend so much time shopping for a specific item (and return virtually everything, often ever finding the item), and barely have to put any effort into happening upon something that I love and that's a perfect fit for my wardrobe perhaps once every few months, like when casually strolling through my favorite consignment shop. Makes me wonder why I can't be more patient and wait for those moments rather than scouring websites (although I do enjoy the search!)

Texstyle -- congratulations on the skort. I really like the idea of one. Where does the skort fall along your knee? Is it short or about knee length? I think this would be a great addition to my summer wardrobe, depending on length.

I understand Shedev. I kinda like the idea of buying just two items in each category. It makes a lot of sense and limits overbuying tendencies.

Ryce -- wasn't Smittie's comment right on? I felt exactly the same way when I read it. It was so true and yet I still felt helpless in deciding upon a solution. That may be why I am stalling on developing my wardrobe plan. It just isn't gelling in my brain. I have "ideas" but not fully formed ideas. I'm continuing to flesh it out slowly. Very slowly.

Penny -- I found myself on what felt like a treadmill of constant shopping, constant impulsive buying, constant returning. I was literally always on the search for the next thing without ever taking the time to enjoy what I already had. I literally thought that was normal. I thought it was normal because it seemed most (not all) of my friends did exactly the same thing. Although I had no idea that this was going to be one of my end results, it feels like such a relief to step off the treadmill. I am genuinely afraid that when I resume shopping, it will be business like normal and I don't want that. Thus, I developed a list and I will shop solely from that list.

Sterling, so glad to hear that your shopping fast has brought you more calm and focus! I"m currently on one myself, but out of necessity. My husband's income was cut (along with the salaries of 90 other professor colleages) by 35 percent 4 days before Christmas. I even returned some of the gifts I had purchased. Fortunately (or unfortunately, since the bills were still coming in), I had purchased a couple of mid season refreshers and replacements in early December. I have a conference to attend in March, and some of my spring/summer items are wearing out (I've learned to check for wear in the crotch seams of pants at the start of every season), but I'll really need a plan. However, I've already noticed that I don't really miss shopping, and I think that a more focused approach - and a just say "No" approach might work out fine! Your experience encourages me.

Sterling - the skort is above my knees by maybe 3 inches or so. I am about 5' 7" for reference.

Beth Ann -- I am so sorry to hear that your husbands salary has been cut. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May good things come your way soon.

And I never thought to check the crotch seams of the pant for wear. I certainly will be from now on.

I'm 5'10" (or 5'9" if you speak to my gynecologist). The skort might be too short for me.

Good for you Sterling! Sounds like this exercise is paying off for you.

It's great hearing from others how the process is working out as well.

Not so much for me I will post about my colossal fail at some point, but life has been so darn busy, I don't seem to be able to pull together the time. But I am very happy about my "fail" purchases, so it's all good.

Congratulations, Sterling! You've done so well with this and I am sure you'll be more focused, going forward. I am also going to bet that this hiatus from shopping will help you develop your style. Just the fact that you are considering a new colour is a hint of that. Very exciting news!

As you know, I don't actually tell myself not to shop, I just naturally tend not to shop in the depths of winter. And so, like you, I haven't shopped for (at least) 60 days, probably closer to 90, with the exception of snow boots and a necklace.

It's funny, but I truly don't miss it when I am not shopping. But I would miss it if my wardrobe were not yet in decent shape. I think for me, this is absolutely key. In the past I might have tried not to shop, but at that time, I had some significant wardrobe holes, so not shopping led to a lot of frustration -- not being able to wear certain pieces because I didn't have their partners, etc.

Now that my wardrobe's pretty much complete, I like to shop at the start of each season to refresh, and also to update (often via sales) the essentials and basics like (for me) simple crew neck sweaters for winter (essential) or socks or undies (basics). And mostly I like to enjoy my clothes and put my mind towards other interests in the months when I'm not actively buying. I get a lot more reading done!

Beth Ann - I'm so sorry to hear about the pay cut too. That is a sizeable chunk out of your already limited family budget.

Suz, I'm doing a lot of book reading now too. Different reason though. I smashed my phone 3 weeks ago and have no Facebook, or YLF on the bus. I always find books ultimately more satisfying than online, and have spent some gift money on books and requested some of my personal reading challenge books from the library. My latest authorial discovery is Joan London, who is a writer from my neck of the woods and I am really loving (She wrote Gilgamesh (not the original) and The Golden Age)

Sorry Sterling, I am getting sidetracked! So I'm not shopping, but I am noticing a wardrobe hole - Pyjamas! I have almost never bought any, and rely on handed down items or gifts. My regularly worn summer PJ top (a handed down one from at least 5 years ago) has quite a few holes in it and is kind of droopy and is starting to get a bit annoying. Maybe I'll spring for a new one.

You should, Anne. And you were not getting sidetracked at all. These challenges are a great way to connect and offer support to one another.