Wow, this really resonated—especially the part about letting go of the “fashionista” identity. I’ve definitely been guilty and held onto clothes for similar reasons, even when I knew I wasn’t drawn to wearing them. And thank you for being honest about the rebound after a no-buy. It’s so helpful to hear that being intentional doesn’t mean being perfect. Saving your 5 tips—they’re gold.
I am glad you included thinking of the end life! I love that. I always think about how the resale of clothes is basically 0, or the effort isn't worth it to me, so I think about how I can use the fabric in the end. Natural fibers are best because at the end I can simply throw it on the compost pile!
That's how I feel about resale too, Elaina! And I always feel so guilty when I get rid of something which is one of the reasons that I was to slow down the items that come in.
That's such good advice, Gillian! I don't have any kind of social media (aside from Substack and my OG blog), so that's never been an issue for me, but the 1-in-1-out rule works really well. It forces me to stop and ask myself what I'm willing to give up to have this "essential" thing in my hand.
This post is sort of perfect timing for me - I am in a bit of a rebound phase after doing a no-buy from January through most of April. After using the time to evaluate my shopping habits, consider the reasons behind why I buy, work on trying to discern my real style, and set a real budget, I've found myself chafing a little at feeling "limited" in what I buy.
This post really reminds me of the flip side of that - the limitations that possessing so much stuff actually place on me. We just repainted and reconfigured the closet and I am motivated not to refill it to overflowing. I want things in it that I actually reach for! I want it to be neat and in a place where I can see the clothes I own. I want my clothes to be wearable, not wrinkled from being stuffed away.
Firstly, congrats on your no buy!! Secondly, I feel you on the rebound phase! 😅
It sounds like you have a great space for your clothes to “live” and you feel motivated for that to be a calm and enjoyable place for you - I think using the “1 in, 1 out” rule could be helpful here. You get to add new items that you will enjoy more than some older items which may not fit in with your new style parameters and keep your wardrobe decluttered. Would love to hear your thoughts on this!
Thinking about the end life of a garment is key for me. It makes me automatically rule out any non-natural fibres, and also consider how something is going to fit my lifestyle for the forseeable future.
Yes, Louise! It’s becoming my favorite rule - I’ve been decluttering a lot lately and it’s been a relatively slow process because I want to make sure things don’t end up in a landfill. But it’s made me realize that I want to bring minimal items into our home - to avoid having to think about this but to also enjoy (and display) the things that we have already bought!
This is the post I really needed to read today! I've been thinking a lot about shopping recently, mostly as a distraction, but today I put on a nice outfit just to go for a walk and it made me feel a lot more affection for the clothes I already own.
The 'one-in-one-out' guideline is a pretty useful thought exercise in helping me realise how much good stuff we may already have in our closets. I sold two pairs of trousers earlier this year (after accepting that I would never fit into them again) and have been thinking about buying new trousers since, but comparing the prospective buys against the trousers I do have (and love) made me put every single pair back. Just thinking about it, even hypothetically, made me realise I would much rather have what I have than whatever I was thinking of buying.
Great list of tips, Gillian. I know I really need to work on number 1. I only follow people who are rewearing not selling these days but it still inspires me to go on the search for more items.
Thanks, Rach! I do the same thing and it’s so frustrating! I usually catch myself before I waste too much time but I would love to consume fashion content without that little voice in my head telling me “I need that” or something similar!
The end of life tip is something I use a lot for purchases of all kinds. It’s especially helpful for those random unplanned knicks and knacks you are drawn to like a magpie. I often think about both where I would store the item (if not in my closet), and then how I will feel when I ultimately get rid of it. Works 90% of the time to put it down and walk past!
I absolutely unfollowed the accounts that churned through partnerships on a regular basis. It took me a while to notice, but there can only be so many “best” this or that before you begin to understand. I still make mistakes (I’m looking at you grey and blue t-shirts in my closet) but I learn something every time.
Me too, Annette! I like seeing people rewearing their items. That's how I know they really love an item, but I've come to realize that some of the things I like on others don't work for me and that's been really helpful in reducing influence as well. We'll probably always make mistakes - I think that learning is growing so I hope to always be learning something!
Wow, this really resonated—especially the part about letting go of the “fashionista” identity. I’ve definitely been guilty and held onto clothes for similar reasons, even when I knew I wasn’t drawn to wearing them. And thank you for being honest about the rebound after a no-buy. It’s so helpful to hear that being intentional doesn’t mean being perfect. Saving your 5 tips—they’re gold.
I'm so happy that this resonated with you, Ewelina! And thanks for sharing your experience 💕
I am glad you included thinking of the end life! I love that. I always think about how the resale of clothes is basically 0, or the effort isn't worth it to me, so I think about how I can use the fabric in the end. Natural fibers are best because at the end I can simply throw it on the compost pile!
That's how I feel about resale too, Elaina! And I always feel so guilty when I get rid of something which is one of the reasons that I was to slow down the items that come in.
That's such good advice, Gillian! I don't have any kind of social media (aside from Substack and my OG blog), so that's never been an issue for me, but the 1-in-1-out rule works really well. It forces me to stop and ask myself what I'm willing to give up to have this "essential" thing in my hand.
Brava!
This post is sort of perfect timing for me - I am in a bit of a rebound phase after doing a no-buy from January through most of April. After using the time to evaluate my shopping habits, consider the reasons behind why I buy, work on trying to discern my real style, and set a real budget, I've found myself chafing a little at feeling "limited" in what I buy.
This post really reminds me of the flip side of that - the limitations that possessing so much stuff actually place on me. We just repainted and reconfigured the closet and I am motivated not to refill it to overflowing. I want things in it that I actually reach for! I want it to be neat and in a place where I can see the clothes I own. I want my clothes to be wearable, not wrinkled from being stuffed away.
Firstly, congrats on your no buy!! Secondly, I feel you on the rebound phase! 😅
It sounds like you have a great space for your clothes to “live” and you feel motivated for that to be a calm and enjoyable place for you - I think using the “1 in, 1 out” rule could be helpful here. You get to add new items that you will enjoy more than some older items which may not fit in with your new style parameters and keep your wardrobe decluttered. Would love to hear your thoughts on this!
Totally agree! I think that's a huge motivator - is the new item good enough to merit something else leaving.
Thinking about the end life of a garment is key for me. It makes me automatically rule out any non-natural fibres, and also consider how something is going to fit my lifestyle for the forseeable future.
Yes, Louise! It’s becoming my favorite rule - I’ve been decluttering a lot lately and it’s been a relatively slow process because I want to make sure things don’t end up in a landfill. But it’s made me realize that I want to bring minimal items into our home - to avoid having to think about this but to also enjoy (and display) the things that we have already bought!
This is the post I really needed to read today! I've been thinking a lot about shopping recently, mostly as a distraction, but today I put on a nice outfit just to go for a walk and it made me feel a lot more affection for the clothes I already own.
The 'one-in-one-out' guideline is a pretty useful thought exercise in helping me realise how much good stuff we may already have in our closets. I sold two pairs of trousers earlier this year (after accepting that I would never fit into them again) and have been thinking about buying new trousers since, but comparing the prospective buys against the trousers I do have (and love) made me put every single pair back. Just thinking about it, even hypothetically, made me realise I would much rather have what I have than whatever I was thinking of buying.
Putting on a nice outfit and going for a walk sounds like the best form of self-care, Lin 💕
Love that you decided to appreciate the trousers that you already own instead of buying new ones!
Great list of tips, Gillian. I know I really need to work on number 1. I only follow people who are rewearing not selling these days but it still inspires me to go on the search for more items.
Thanks, Rach! I do the same thing and it’s so frustrating! I usually catch myself before I waste too much time but I would love to consume fashion content without that little voice in my head telling me “I need that” or something similar!
The end of life tip is something I use a lot for purchases of all kinds. It’s especially helpful for those random unplanned knicks and knacks you are drawn to like a magpie. I often think about both where I would store the item (if not in my closet), and then how I will feel when I ultimately get rid of it. Works 90% of the time to put it down and walk past!
Omg, yes...those shiny, sparkly things are so tempting! Thinking about where to store them also sounds like a great roadblock - thanks for sharing!
I absolutely unfollowed the accounts that churned through partnerships on a regular basis. It took me a while to notice, but there can only be so many “best” this or that before you begin to understand. I still make mistakes (I’m looking at you grey and blue t-shirts in my closet) but I learn something every time.
Me too, Annette! I like seeing people rewearing their items. That's how I know they really love an item, but I've come to realize that some of the things I like on others don't work for me and that's been really helpful in reducing influence as well. We'll probably always make mistakes - I think that learning is growing so I hope to always be learning something!