True Life: I’m a Shopaholic // Post #4: You Don’t Have to be a Minimalist

This post is part of a larger series on shopping and I want YOUR input!

Email me by clicking the button below to share your questions, thoughts and ideas.

A few years ago I really got into the idea of a capsule wardrobe. For those of you who haven’t gone down enough Pinterest black holes (you go Glenn Coco!), a capsule wardrobe is a seasonal wardrobe of a limited number of items.

glen coco.gig.gif

The number of items differs depending on which fashion blogger bible you’re following, but the general idea is that there are strict rules that must be followed to be a successful, stylish minimalist. Anyway, I got really into this idea. Please note, that I did not say I got really into doing this. I think I put one capsule wardrobe together and cheated on it on day 2. Capsule wardrobe enthusiasts would tell me that my cheating was indicative of my poor choices in the wardrobe. But really my cheating was indicative of the fact that I don’t like arbitrary rules or being told no.

My failed capsule wardrobe attempt did not stop me from wanting to change my relationship with buying clothing. I knew that I overspent and that I often didn’t love the things in my closet, but being forced to stay in such a strict box wasn’t for me. What was for me was mindful shopping. Full transparency — I am NOT a master of mindful shopping, but I’ve been working on it for years, have discovered things that work and don’t work for me, and accept that my journey won’t be without flaws.

Cher-closet-angle-1.png

Mindful shopping doesn’t have set rules. It doesn’t tell you no. What it does is help you figure out when and how shopping feels good for you and when it doesn’t. To bring mindfulness into your day-to-day shopping experiences try out the following tricks next time you hop on your favorite online store or take a trip to the mall:

  • Before you leave the house (or open the computer), take a few minutes to center yourself. Take deep breaths — breathing in for 6 counts and out for 6 counts. Do this at least 5 times.

  • Check in with your body — what are you feeling? How might those feelings impact your shopping experience? You don’t need to give a judgement, just be aware.

  • Check in with your emotions — how are you feeling? Again, how might those feelings impact your shopping experience?

  • What are your goals for shopping today? How will you make sure to not feel bad if you don’t reach those goals?

  • Are there any limits that you need to give yourself today? They can be monetary in nature or not (i.e. if it fits that isn’t good enough — I also have to LOVE it)

I know this might seem like a lot of work to do before even starting, but once you get into the habit it doesn’t have to take very long and it can mean the difference of leaving a store feeling hollow and drained vs leaving feeling like a fucking badass. And isn’t that really why we buy clothes? To feel like a fucking badass?

On The Couch, Top TipsCaroline Snydershopping, money, budget, budgeting, credit card