At Day 4, I feel pretty good about my resolution. I even managed to make a trip to Costco and walk past the stack of wool pea coats on the way to the cereal aisle. But I am waiting for the other — super cute — shoe to fall. What's going to happen when I have a bad day, a bad week, or simply see something that would look fabulous on me (and marked down to a price I can't pass up)?
I need to buy a few gifts and am strategizing how I can do this without walking into the lion's den. My first thought is to go to small stores that sell only the specific type of merchandise I need, ie: a toy store for the kid's gift, a baby boutique for the newborn gift. Instead of walking into the mall where there are landmines all over the place, there will be only certain things. Sure, I'll pay a little more, but I'll be supporting a local business and perhaps more importantly, supporting myself.
Speaking of support, I have joined a movement called The Great American Apparel Diet. It's a group of women who have for ethical and financial reasons decided to go for a year with no new clothes. The program started on September 1, 2010 and there are are 239 days left on the ticker. Reading the other members' bios makes me feel a little like I'm walking into a 12-step program. I mean, I can stop at any time, right? I'm not like those addicts. But the refrains are quite familiar to me, and I know I am just like everyone else there. And it is quite inspiring to see women from all around the world who struggle with the same things I do and are succesfully making changes.
I know what you mean - that little "high" that comes from buying something new, just for you, is hard to wean from. What I wonder is -- can you replace that "high" with some other kind of high? This is getting all psychological, but I wonder what the replacement "exciting thing" would be? And if you find that, it might make the lack of shopping less worrisome?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good questions. I think personally, new clothes bring me a high on a couple fronts:
ReplyDeleteBody image- it's easier to buy new clothes than to the hard work of actually getting in better shape.
Creativity- I'm always happy when I see something aethetically beautiful, especially when there are pretty colors and interesting designs.
Escape- the process of just browsing and shopping is a nice break from the responsibilities of everyday life.
So I should work out, do some art and watch a lot of TV? All kidding aside, there's a lot to think about!
hi! i've been doing the same thing. just finished month 4 of 12. good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Elizabeth! Four months is a long time for a shopaholic. I'm inspired.
ReplyDeleteBTW, extra yoga pants have been put in the mail!