September Update 2.0 - YouLookFab Forum

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September Update 2.0

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Fabbers,

Well I am really surprised to report that my month of no shopping is going very well! Admittedly I am only on day 9 lol, but my resolve is steely!

Work and life are busy, so that helps, but I am still looking at clothing on line but not even a little tempted:) ok maybe just a little;)

I have had an interesting experience this week where all of a sudden I went from a fab wardrobe I love, to having nothing to wear!! Of course, this is a "mood" I'm in, as opposed to it being a fact, and this mood would, in the past, send me off shopping in the hope that new clothes would make me feel better. However upon doing a little self analysis, I started to look at what was responsible for this mood. In this instance there were two contributing factors.

ONE... I am week four into my last haircut and colour. And I'm two weeks away from my next appointment. So I'm not feeling quite as polished and put together. My hair is one of my key style aspects, if it's not right then nothing else works:). Now I know it probably looks fine to everyone else so I just need to give it a little more attention over the next two weeks in order to keep it looking good.

TWO... Been crazy busy and I am tired and maybe a little hormonal. I don't know about you, but I never look my best when I'm tired. Do any of you get those dull hormonal headaches?, I travel to vague-ville when I get them:). So this is relatively easily fixed and I need to get back into my routine of bed by 10pm. I am one of those people that needs a good 8 hours to look and feel fresh and full of energy.

When I don't feel that I look good, I have a tendency to get a bit down on myself, so these little revelations are incredibly helpful:) and should serve to empower me to be proactive (looking after myself) rather than reactive (going shopping).

So this got me wondering, what things have you identified that make you feel dissatisfied with your perfectly fab wardrobe, and what strategies do you employ to avoid or rectify finding yourself in this state of mind?

xxxDeborah

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Lyn D.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

You are doing well, Deborah! I hear you about how the mood and hormones affects our well being. I think this must be very common, at least I'm that way, too. What you wrote is equally true about me today: One week away from my hair fix appointment, and it's the week of the month I feel bloated and nothing is really comfortable enough. These things seem to affect me more now than they used to.

The one thing that may make me dissatisfied with what I have is to shop too much. Online or in brick stores, it's the same, as I always see something I would like to own. My strategy is to have periods on and off shopping. Now, for example, I've bought quite a few things, and I have a couple more on my list. But when that's done I'm stopping for a few months again. I may stray into a thrift store, but that's about it. Like you, I think sleep, exercise and enough time with friends and family help, too.

Anonymous

I hear you on the dull headaches. I have one now! My remedy first thing this morning was to spend time outside with Bilbo my cat in the sunshine. I daydreamed about outfits. Now I'm mooching on here, but I have no urge to buy or browse. I plan to just take it easy and try to get some work done later. I think probably bad purchases are made when not in the right frame of mind. Well done you for doing a spot of self analysis.

carolbee

Veteran

Glad to hear its going well. The only thing that really makes me feel disatisfied these days is that I put on 2.5kg while away on holidays and having a hard time shifting it, so not so happy when looking in the mirror!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Check, regarding the hair, and double check about the hormones. Still, I encourage you because I am looking toward the finish line - RO dress or whatever it may be!

Mona

Veteran

It is great that you were able to determine what was bothering you. I love it when I discover these little things about myself. Lack of sleep is my biggest enemy. I look and feel at least 10 years older when I am sleep deprived.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Congrats on staying strong Deb

I think this is brilliant how you have identified what would normally send you off shopping. I tend to shop when I'm feeling bored or upset - like somehow buying this one item will fix everything, you know? I'm working on knowing when that is happening and NOT shopping then. That's usually when I make a purchasing mistake.

And I totally hear on you hair being a major factor in feeling less than fab. With short hair or a style specific hair cut, keeping that in check goes a long way to feeling polished.

If it's any consolation, you look fantastic

Lantana

Veteran

Deborah I understand only too well how pivotal hair is to one's overall stye so I sympathise with your challenge over the next two weeks. That's assuming there's no way you can bring your next appointment sooner?

As for moodiness and hormones, well I've farewelled those thanks to advancing years and hooray for that.

Nevertheless I do have a few strategies for those inevitable times when for no good reason I find my wardrobe wanting.

So, basically, I do an audit of what I have and take a reality check. Then:
* get on top of the washing, mending and ironing
* clean all my shoes
* refresh my brow/lash tint
* update my Pinterest boards
* dip into the forum
* eat chocolat

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I totally get this. When I start feeling negative about my wardrobe or my appearance, it's a sure sign something is going on emotionally. I suppose I am still having hormonal swings even though I have no more periods after surgery last year, although it's very inconsistent, so it's hard to know when I can blame hormones! I do flirt around the edges of depression sometimes, and I know that in those times I'm especially susceptible to some shopping therapy.

I also don't feel my best when my hair starts looking unkempt. On that note, I think it's time to call and schedule an appointment, rather than wait until I'm already feeling that way!

I like Lantana's ideas for non-shopping distractions, and I'm noting those for future use. I try to get active -- take a walk, run, bike, etc. The bad thing is that malls are good for feeling like I'm getting some walking done!

amiable

Veteran

Great revelations and a good reward for your introspection and not-shopping!
I think I'm feeling a similar unsure-ness with the season transition. Is that also affecting your thoughts on your wardrobe?

Elly

Veteran

I guess I am just feeling antsy. Because of very limited local shopping I have a long time to wait between making the decision to pounce on an item and being able to try it on and evaluate where I am in the process of putting together a fall wardrobe. For example, I ordered jeans the 3rd week of august and should be getting them tomorrow. If they fit, great-- otherwise I send them back and wait again. However, until I have my bottoms for the season sorted out, I really can't sort shoes, which are a huge item on my list this fall. Likewise, it is still too hot here most days to wear fall tops, but the seasons are changing fast and I've been very dissapointed in what I've been seeing sweater and fall top wise in my price range since NAS (where I struck out). And because bottoms, shoes, and tops/sweaters are my priorities for fall, I really don't have a good idea about how much budget I should have left for things I am seeing that I'm interested in, like bags, coats, and accessories.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like you are doing well with your shopping hiatus, and more importantly gaining insight through it. I found similar things when I tried my No Buy July. Something about not assuaging the discomfort with shopping but rather confronting and understanding why you are feeling that way is very emboldening.
I am nearing the end of the line with this year's shopping myself. Wonder if I'll contently sail through Nov and Dec or start to white knuckle it. Hmm. Hoping to sail

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Seconding Penny's response. I find a long, solitary walk always gives me some perspective. Yay to no more monthly hormonal variations too - there has to be some benefit to getting older

Anonymous

I hear you on hair being an outfit killer. I also don't feel my best when skin is misbehaving or I'm feeling bloated. It helps to play in my closet and try to find a new combination with old favorites. If feeling down in general, being out in nature is a great mood lifter, especially if it involves walking or tending the yard.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm on day 40. It gets easier.

Deborah

Veteran

Anna, that is awesome! Not shopping seems to free the mind a little and the wardrobe revelations are coming thick and fast.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Deborah, these are great insights. I have definitely experienced fashion malaise when my hair is in need of a trim. It happened recently, and posting my outfits here on YLF helped me make that discovery. I have also suffered migraines for many years, often hormonal and sometimes brought on by tension. When I get them, I don't think straight, and I've found I'm prone to transposing numbers. I'll have to examine my shopping triggers.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Missed this yesterday!
I feel dissatisfied when I am not wearing certain pieces, so making an effort to do so will lift my mood by either showing that it needs to be passed-on, or adding a bit of freshness to my daily outfits.
I commend you on your no-shopping so far efforts Deborah, and am cheering from the sidelines