In an effort to save money, consume less, and be more creative, I challenged myself to 3 months of not shopping for clothes for myself. My rules were to buy no clothing, with an exception for socks or underwear. I’m happy to say, I completed my Non-Shopping Challenge! Here are 3 lessons I learned from my 3 months of consciously not shopping:
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I am Not a Movie Star
One of the first things I realized when I stopped shopping was that I don’t need new clothes all the time to feel good about myself. I let go of the pressure to update my wardrobe and remembered that I am not actually a movie star.
Since I’m not a movie star, people I work with, hang out with, and see frequently do not expect me to be in new clothes all the time. It turns out that wearing the same outfits is fine, (duh) and no one in my life mentioned anything to me about my lack of new clothes. Without anything new, it forced me to be more creative and try new combinations of clothing, and wear clothing that is fine for every day, special events and holidays.
2. Not Shopping Saves Money, No Surprise
Okay, this one’s a no-brainer, but I was very clearly able to see the money I was saving. I practiced cutting out impulse buys and not falling for “buy one, get one free” deals that I didn’t need. Not shopping for clothes for three months helped me be more intentional with my spending. I found that time with friends and family is much more valuable and fun than another pair of shoes.
3. Reducing is Fine and Can Be Fun!
Every purchase we make has an environmental footprint. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council
“More than 60% of fabric fibers are now synthetics, derived from fossil fuels, so if and when our clothing ends up in a landfill (about 85% of textile waste in the United States goes to landfills or is incinerated), it will not decay.”
By taking a step back from shopping, I’ve reduced my impact on the planet. I’ve ramped up my second-hand finds and have been watching my local Buy Nothing Group, which not only saves money, but also supports sustainable practices. I’ve always loved a good deal, and shopping second-hand saves the earth and my wallet.
Looking back on my three-month challenge of not buying new clothes, I’ve learned to keep things simple and be more mindful about what I own. It wasn’t easy sticking to the clothes I already owned and resisting the urge to constantly shop for more. Cutting down on shopping also meant I had more money to spend on experiences and quality time with friends and family.
When I completed my No Shopping Challenge, I didn’t go on a shopping spree. I’ve been making an effort to purchase the things I actually need, visiting my favorite thrift stores to find new-old treasures and trying to be thoughtful in my spending.
