Week 1 of Purchasing Fast -- Some Insights - YouLookFab Forum

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Week 1 of Purchasing Fast -- Some Insights

Anonymous

First thread of this set: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....s-is-doing

Adverse weather has me house bound. I thought for sure this would be a recipe for disaster ... if only from sheer boredom. A couple of things saved me from buying anything.

One, I have the attention span of a gnat. I can't focus on any one thing for more than five minutes before I moved on to something else for another five minutes. Two, nothing interests me ... AT ALL. Everything I scan on the internet seems to be left-over dreck from the Holidays. Stores are trying to unload the stuff that didn't sell. And in my humble opinion there are reasons why it never sold in the first place so I am not about to buy it just because I am bored out of my mind.

I shopped out of boredom. I put stuff in my carts. I emptied my carts.

I discovered how important clothing are to my psyche. It seems I dress for the days events. If I get dressed in sports gear, I will go to the gym. If I get dressed for the office (even if working at home), I will have a productive work day. If I dress for errands and cooking, I will get that stuff done. If I stay in my pajamas for two straight days, I do nothing beyond eat.

This is important information that I fully intend to use in the future. I may have inadvertently sabotaged myself by purposely deciding to "not to bother getting dressed" on Saturday and Sunday. OR I could look at it as a forced rest break. December was really busy. I might have needed a full weekend of doing nothing to recoup from the Holidays.

Shopping

38 replies

Latest reply was from

Alassë

Veteran

Good insights; thank you for sharing.

Meredith

Veteran

Sounds like you're off to a good start. Good luck with your challenge!

Joyce B

Veteran

Good that you didn't shop out of boredom. It's interesting how dressing the part helps the mind do its part as well. Dressing for what we need to do gets us in the right track, it's not just about how we look.
Try to enjoy your day at home.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great insights, and you make me chuckle. As I sit here in my long underwear looking out at a snowstorm...on a work day. Oops!

El Cee

Veteran

Everyone deserves a "rest break" from time to time (one where they can choose to do absolutely nothing)... So do not be too hard on yourself. Sometimes pajama days are needed to fully recharge the battery.

Sounds as if you have had a very successful start to your shopping fast. And you have come to some important realizations about how dressing for the day affects your energy and task-specific performance. I, too, find that dressing for the task at hand gives me a real boost... and gets me focused. It is like donning a "uniform" or, in some cases, a "suit of armor".

I am also focusing on keeping away from shopping temptations and loving what I already own. I used some of my own recent "housebound" time this week to start cataloging more of my personal wardrobe items to include in my "Finds". I want to use these pics in playing around with virtual outfit and capsule creation. (I will physically try on the outfits later, when time permits).

I was inspired by a recent post from Rambling Ann (Ocean Park Project) where she has begun building an aspirational wardrobe "outfit by outfit" based on a beautiful abstract painting: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rk-project. I have decided that I will use her strategy to "shop my own closet" for a month or two. My plan is to use one painting or photograph per week as inspiration for creating a capsule and a group of outfits... taking into account the colors and garments already present in my closet when I select an inspiration piece. I started Saturday with Wassily Kandinsky's "The Last Judgement" and am having a blast "shopping" using my own existing wardrobe. I have not had an urge to internet shop or to even browse.

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Anonymous

I am in the middle of my non clothing shopping for December and January (ahem, minus the purchase and return of one BR top). Some things that are helping me - remembering my list of wants. Not much I will find in store or online is on the list. I want and need spring (summer) clothing. I have one lightweight cotton sweater in particular I want to wear, but it was well over 70* yesterday.

I see early spring items as my best chance for some coverage of arms and legs - i.e. Not so short on dresses - hence why I'm open to shopping in February.

I am very interested in your concept of what I wear help directs the day. I will have to integrate that better into my daily life.

I've also realized - I'm very particular about fit in a store. That is, I am drawn to something, but when I try it on I almost always rule things out. So the BR top, I went to the store to try last month. If it had been available to try in my size, I could have tried it and moved on immediately. But I get something stuck in my head that it could be great on me, and I have a hard time letting it go until I can try it on. That's what leads to my purchase and return issue. I'm very good about returning if I can go to a brick and mortar store, or free returns. I'm less good about returning if I have to pay the return shipping, so that very much colors where I think I should shop online in future (or just get over return fees).

shedev

Veteran

I agree about the leftover stuff that is on sale. If I do want an item, but it is more than I want to pay, I save it somewhere on my computer. I did that with the nike shoes. The only thing that I have saved now is a pair of flared ankle pants. I want to see more before I decide on them. Otherwise, it is not stuff that was right for me at full price, so it doesn't tempt me now.
Interesting observation about getting dressed for the days activities. I'm sick today so I'm having a stay in pajamas day.

JAileen

Veteran

I agree with you re sale items. I've been looking at it a lot. I got some money for Christmas and I haven't been able to find anything spend it on.

Anonymous

I'm going to try putting on my gym clothes and see if that gets me into the gym more
I never thought to try this before!

Bonnie

Veteran

This is week 2 of my purchasing fast. I'm actually enjoying not having to look for items to fill wardrobe holes, check for bargains, or deciding how I can make my wardrobe work better. Yesterday I read a whole book, Snow Child, and enjoyed it immensely. Future projects include shopping my closet to style a dress and jacket I bought from Dec. sales. I decided to make this a two month fast because of overspending in Nov/Dec. I have looked online and agree that the sales are not that great - I find shopping the Dec. sales much more productive. As for staying in pjs, I did this for two days after an exhausting two week Dec. trip. It really helped me, both mentally and physically. Enjoy!

Anonymous

Here is your monitor reporting for duty. STAY OFF OF THE INTERNET. (retail sites)

Sal

Veteran

Good insights Sterling.

I agree with Lisa - don't even browse online shopping. I am deleting the emails from retailers right now and have unsubscribed from several sites as well. And I think a lazy weekend in mid winter is often a great idea!!

I am not planning much shopping for January and February - but I am on a holiday next week which will involve a small amount of browsing at shops. It is a rare opportunity for me so I am not going to put myself on a strict fast, but I don't have a large budget either.

Joy

Veteran

Your thoughts resonated with me. I also dress with the day's activities in mind and will not leave the house if wearing gardening clothes, even to run an errand. The January fast may be harder than I thought. To avoid buying, I need to stay away from shops. The whole family is going to Steamboat Springs later this month. I have no proper gear.

Anonymous

Thanks for the support, Kiwigal and LisaP!!!! One week down is not that much to brag about, but I do feel proud of myself. I am trying to stay busy in the House with mini-projects. My normal life should resume on Wednesday (at least that is the way I am scheduling it).

Congratulations, Bonnie. Breaking the cycle feels really good, doesn't it? If I get nothing else out of this, I want a break from the buying and then having to return it. Delurked, I feel exactly the same way. I once thought to myself if I had to buy solely from a store, I would never buy a thing because I don't like all that much when I try it on.

Smittie, Shedev, and Delurked -- I chanced upon my revelation regarding dressing for the day's activities. I'm going to experiment and see if it proves right most of the time. I have the feeling it will. My wardrobe choices seem to inform my actions throughout the day.

JAileen -- You'll find something. I assume those gift cards don't expire?

El Cee -- what a great idea. I must have missed Rambling Ann's posts. I absolutely love the portrait you selected for your challenge. I have a technical background and art was always an emotional luxury that I didn't have time for when I was younger. Now I have a deep, deep appreciation for art I never knew I had. I started visiting museums, but the art that touches me most profoundly I discovered from friends pointing it out to me.

Thank you for the support, Alasse, Meredith, Suz, and Joyce. I would never succeed at anything in life if I did not have friends having my back. Best wishes for the New Year.

Anonymous

Joy -- You SHOULD shop for Springboat Springs. You are new to Colorado. I suspect that your wardrobe has legitimate holes that need to be filled to accommodate your new life. I wholeheartedly support you buying things for your new life. Yay for you. Have fun.

Lyn D.

Veteran

A great start, and so true about dressing for the days activities.

Joy

Veteran

I will start a thread for Steamboat Springs ideas. You are right. I ' m in no way prepared for snowy sports and cabin dwelling in very cold conditions.

Anonymous

I do agree with you about the dressing for the day part. I now have myself in the practice of getting dressed before I even leave my bedroom when I wake up. No going downstairs in my pyjamas for coffee and breakfast anymore. That used to morph into me sitting at my computer for 3 hours reading the news and other blogs and sites and pretending to work. Nothing grosser than trying to be a business professional in your pyjamas and crazy hair. So I put my gym clothes on right away , or my work clothes. Works like a charm for me .

JAileen

Veteran

Sterling, I may have spent my Christmas money today. I ordered a few pairs of insulated waterproof boots from REI. Not snow boots, but warm hiking boots, for winter birding. I hope one of them works out. I was given a check and finally deposited it today.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I have a few things that can help divert a shopping "habit" that I use myself.
1. Working on personal style type things - like focusing on your fingernails and toenails one day, and maybe doing a deep hair conditioning another day, or play with hairstyles, accessories, etc.
2. Focusing on your health such as planning a weeks worth of healthy meals and shopping for food and doing some prep work.
3. Read some new workout ideas online and try out a few - places like "Self" or other sites usually have some inspiration.

Runcarla

Veteran

I'm not officially 'fasting' until February, because I need a navy or ink blue leather belt. I like tesxstyles idea of an uptake in self care, however I probably need a 'shop your cupboards' for beauty potions too!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Even if I'm online, I feel better if I'm showered and dressed. Loungewear works also, as long as I've showered and I'm planning on a cozy day.

AM

Veteran

I've joined the fast. You have me inspired. And I've been doing everything but shopping. Editing, reorganizing, goal setting, working on my stylebook and look book, studying my habits, uniforms/statement peices, making a plan for 2017, etc. And I'm also looking at every area of my life to edit/reorg. The jewelry box, the vanity, the medicine cabinet, every other closet. Thanks for your update. I think a little looking around keeps the juices going if you can resist the purchasing! And like others, I'm unsubscribing to emails. Looking forward to tracking your progress.

cindysmith

Veteran

I bought a sports bra today because I am desperately low on bras in general and I want to get more active this year and this one was on sale. I feel I have totally failed at a shopping fast already and it's only 9 days into it.

Runcarla

Veteran

CWS - the 'shopping fast' doesn't officially start until February!

Like AM, I'm enjoying the analysis, playing in my closet, making capsules, caring for my clothes and shoes. This weekend I cleaned out the pockets of my outerwear and brushed them down, sorted scarves and hats, cleaned leather gloves and bags (with baby wipes).

carter

Veteran

Aside from a purchase flirtation yesterday, I'm humming along. The item in question was right up my alley...so much so in fact, that when I shopped my closet first I counted 10 items that fit the very same general description! They are a staple for me, but that's a lot;-).

I've been basically SYCF since early December after I bought myself a couple pieces of jewelry for my birthday. I did use a Christmas gift card Christmas night to replace a 10 year old favorite pair of pants. I'm very pleased with them and have worn them twice already.

I've been enjoying several other things the past few weeks. I started tracking the clothes I'm wearing on December 5. I've tried to do this a couple times before, but the format didn't seem to suit me. This time I'm doing it on my tablet instead of in a physical notebook or calendar. So far, I'm remembering to do it every day. From 12/5-1/4 I wore 26 tops and 14 bottoms. Not sure what, if anything, that means, but it was fewer items than I expected. I also dressed 36 times in 31 days. That was also less than I expected. For some reason, I feel like I'm always changing for something midday or evening. I guess not;-).

I'm also digging deeper in the purge, house-wide. The beach house feels so much lighter than the Atlanta house. I do not want to weigh it down when we finally move. Time-consuming, but liberating.

Finally, like Tex, I'm back into meal planning. I've been winging it a bit too much the past few weeks, which leaves us stuck in a rut of whatever's top-of-mind.

Glad to hear everyone's enjoying the fast and doing so well!

Anonymous

AM -- I want to join YOUR challenge. You'll get so much done this year!!!! The idea of developing different habits is brilliant. Thank you Texstyle. I am going to make a list today. I will draw heavily from AM's list.

Joy -- I'll watch for your Steamboat Springs post. It should be fun to imagine the wardrobe you will need in real life.

Carter -- I am glad you found a way to track your wears. I find the information invaluable. I do it differently than you. I use a spreadsheet. I want to know exactly how many items in each category. I also want to know my cost per wear. This information really does help me plan future wardrobe purchases.

YOU HAVE NOT FAILED AT ANYTHING, Cynthia. Challenges are not about failure, they are about improvement. That sports bra might mean you exercise more. Exercise might improve your overall health. Improving your overall health might mean fewer or lesser medical bills in the future. THINK of the money you just saved by buying the bra!! Yay for you.

RunCarla -- You are of course correct. The Shopping Fast was originally scheduled to start in February. I selected that month because I wanted to take advantage of the sales. As we all know that was ridiculous because my personal challenge is to not shop sales. An ink blue belt sounds lovely.

I hope the boots work out for you, J Aileen. I love a sturdy boot is essential. I have friends that "bird." They ADORE it. The thing is they want to tell me about the birds they saw and I have no idea what to say. But they must feel the way about birds that I feel about plants.

Waves at LynD, Barbara Diane, and LisaP. I will be getting up and dressed with intent from now on..

Sheila

Veteran

Sterling... I have been reading with great interest and I would like to join you as well.

I have to admit that I have a certain small budget for the year but that is for particular items... I will NOT buy randomly- however see below....

I have reviewing my current items and looking at revising hems and have had luck removing some stains - with Glade Air Freshener no less !

I have revived my white puffer to two white sweaters in Oxiclean and have taken to shoe dye on my tall boots and polish/ shine up my shoes.

I wore my puffer today and I feel good.

I realize I have bought the same things over and over- I have five pairs of beige pumps. I think if I saw them on a website- I would probably buy them again ! Gah !

I must say that I am feeling cold lately. I am dressing in layers but in the back of my mind- there is a lovely sweater dress- with long sleeves- and warm.

This "tinge of longing" for a sweater dress is usually short lived. And if I avoid the stores- which I dislike anyway.... and the websites... I will be good.

This is an item that is difficult to find anyway... it probably does not exist. The material is usually too thin, or too tight ( bodycon) or too short ( need tights )- so I have that to be thankful for.

I must confess to one purchase of a straight long colorless blazer/coat - at a thrift shop ( there with my husband looking for luggage. It was $ 13 and lined and included a matching top. It will be great for wearing over a shift dress - to winterize it. I like it- I can also wear the top with either a skirt or pants.

It was NOT a wardrobe hole- and I should not have purchased it- even with the price and name- so this is a tick against me.

My biggest fast will be my lipstick/ makeup addiction. It is actually embarrassing. I have dug into some old bags and started using a couple of items - and tossed out quite a bit.

cindysmith

Veteran

I forgot we weren't officially starting til February

And yes, I'm hoping to get in better shape. I'm not in terrible shape right now, but I have gotten a little soft since I had to quit being a stagehand because my COPD just didn't allow me to perform at 100%. I'm wanting to take up archery and yoga. (I know, who teaches deep into their psyche and pulls out those 2? But yoga would strengthen my core, and I got a bow and arrow set a year ago, and started learning; but the move sidetracked me. Now we're settled enough that I'm ready to pick it up again)

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