No Book Review, No Politics and No Clothes

No book review this Wednesday … I’m thinking for my next review I need to find a book that the majority likes and I agree with, so I can write a positive, agreeable review for a change. Then again, why go with the flow — only dead fish do that.

Instead I’m going to go with a safe, agreeable subject today … politics. Just kidding. Well kinda. I do wonder if The Donald has any chance of being president …

Empty hangersphoto © 2008 Lisa Clarke | more info (via: Wylio)

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Back on track (crazy ADD) to what’s on my mind today. Living with less. I’ve never been a huge I-need-more-stuff person, but clutter still accumulated. Over the past few years, I realized how much less I need to live with (almost dying will do that to a person) and I’ve become more intentional about what I buy. I try not to buy things impulsively. It’s amazing how thinking over a purchase for a few days often takes away the ‘need’ to have it.

Around my birthday last October, I decided I would not buy any clothes this year … expect maybe some for running and biking. Since I’m doing more of both of those … I knew I might need a few additional pieces.  But I limited it to must-haves, not just because I found a great piece that I want.

Six months into this commitment … I’ve never had to go without clothes, imagine that. My closet is too big and too full for that to happen.

Yes, I’ve worn the same clothes more often.

And I’ve put together some cool ‘new’ outfits from the clothes I had … that I now love.

No, I do not miss clothes shopping.

And I do NOT miss spending money on clothes.

I’ve only told one friend about this … because I wasn’t sure if I could stick to it. Now that I’ve hit the halfway mark and it’s been easy I felt brave enough to write this. (though as soon as I post this, I will probably be hit with a nasty-need-to-buy-clothes bug) It’s been a freeing experience, which was a surprise. I am loving the uncluttered space in my mind … shopping for clothes isn’t an option, I know that I will find something in my closet to wear. I’ve given away some clothes that I realized I never wore anyhow, and I’m liking the extra space in my closet.

Have you ever gone for a certain time without buying clothes? Did you find it restricting  or freeing? And if you and I see each other regularly … have you noticed that I wear the same things over and over again?

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jacinda-Martin/100000792756301 Jacinda Martin

    If I didn’t have to go clothes shopping it would be fine! I would much rather have 5 things that I really like and feel good in them them a closet full of items. Since our family of 5 shares a closet I don’t mind keeping it simple. I still feel I have ” to much” at times and then the old stained/torn shirts become grease rags. I don’t care if people notice the same outfit. My poor brain always processes how many groceries I could buy instead.. Groceries are more important.

    • http://www.JanetOberholtzer.com Janet Oberholtzer

      Wow, 5 of you share one closet … that’s one way to keep the clothes to a minimum. And I’m also discovering I would rather have a few pieces that fit and wear well … rather then lots of clothes that I don’t like.

      And you are so right … groceries are far more important than clothes.

  • http://bablogthoughts.blogspot.com/ BA

    I noticed that the green top you’re wearing in your photo is the same thing you were wearing when we met, but that was at a St. Patty’s Day party, so I figured it was a green thing.

    I have gone for a long while without buying clothes now, and am procrastinating with the big closet clean-out that I know I need to do. Being able to easily find the clothes that I actually want to wear, instead of having to dig past the closet fillers will be real nice when I get around to it.

    When I do buy clothes it’s usually at Goodwill or on clearance- and what I’d actually like to find doesn’t always make it that far. For instance- I am wanting to have a few more choices in my winter-running-wear, but am tired of black. Yet the cute colors are all sold before making it to the clearance rack. So I don’t buy anything, and keep wearing my black stuff. But that’s okay- black is supposed to be slimming, right?!

    • http://www.JanetOberholtzer.com Janet Oberholtzer

      Yes, that green top was worn when we met because it was St Patty’s day … but it’s also been worn many other days because I like it :)

      I’ve shopped at Goodwill sometimes … but I’ve found I have to be careful because many of the clothes I buy there have one issue or another (which is probably why they were at Goodwill :) I’ve found some good quality clothes for less at Ross, TJ Max or Marshalls. (the green shirt came from Ross)

      And yes black is slimming … wear it proudly!

  • Doris

    Last year when I became unemployed, my shopping for clothes took a dive. I didn’t need to dress up (jeans are now the norm) and the money was not there anyway! I will do some shopping this spring because I have and continue to lose weight and my clothes are baggy. I like that reason to shop =) Some things are fitting again and that’s nice too….it’s like getting something new.