When I talk about my experience with minimalist fashion challenge Project 333, and recommend people give it a try, there are a few common objections. I heard one of them recently on The Tiny Wardrobe Tour. Someone raised their hand and said, “But I love shopping!” Everyone laughed, including me, because we can relate. We love or have loved shopping too.
When people are afraid to start this fashion challenge, or when they are holding back from really simplifying their lives because they love shopping, I offer the following advice.
What to do if you love shopping:
The Pasta Method
I see many similarities between changing diet and simplifying life. I love pasta but that’s not an excuse to eat it all the time, especially if I know it’s not the best thing for my body. The same goes for shopping. I used to love shopping.
I loved shopping because …
- I thought I deserved to buy nice things because I worked so hard.
- I could get away from all the stress and just go spend money.
- I thought it lifted me up when I was down.
By experimenting with Project 333, and putting a pause on shopping for 3 months, I realized …
- I did deserve the best things, but the best things weren’t things at all.
- Spending money as a response to stress was only resulting in more stress.
- When I am down, my heart isn’t saying let’s go shopping, it’s saying please take care of me.
In order for me to see how damaging pasta and other foods were on my body, I had to walk away from them completely. It was the same way with shopping. Breaking away for a little while made all the difference. The distance provided time, space, and clarity about what really matters to me.
Maybe you don’t know what you love.
When someone tells me, with longing in their eyes that they just love to shop. I ask them what else they love.
I remember being so busy working to pay for the shopping that I had forgotten what I really loved. When we get caught up in busyness of life, and our usual patterns, we don’t give ourselves time to consider how we really want to spend our time, money, and energy. Sometimes we forget we have a choice.
Let’s get back to love
I started minimalist fashion challenge Project 333 to learn what enough meant for me. I needed a full stop from shopping to understand what I wanted, a full stop to discover what I really loved.
Giving up shopping for three months doesn’t really seem like that big of a sacrifice when we consider the big picture. I’ve been dressing with 33 items or less, including clothes, jewelry, accessories, and shoes for almost 6 years and it has helped me get back to all the things I really love.
Project 333 starts every three months, but you can start anytime. There is a great opportunity for growth, lessons, and love in what we are willing to consider. Will you consider joining me?
- You can find the rules right here.
- Take the course for extra support and instruction.
- Find me on the Tiny Wardrobe Tour.
Let’s get back to love.
I agree. using shopping (consciously or unconsciously) to reward yourself for working hard continues a possibly debilitating circle. Now you have to work even harder to pay for and manage those ever increasing items.
Since the 1st June I’ve only bought one pair of socks to wear with my boots when I was away for the weekend and forgotten to pack them.. Very happy with myself so far. Thank you Courtney for you inspiration. Xo
I love your idea about taking a break from each thing to see how your life/body reacts. I’m in the process of doing that right now with limited grocery shopping. Limiting my spending on groceries now means not over buying – so nothing goes bad, getting creative on my meals and less trips to the grocery store.
Dear Courtney,
I need your advice. I am at a job I hate but I started here a month ago (like Late May) I feel very undervalued, and I am constantly over worked and underpaid. I feel like I’m putting my best foot forward but I constantly feel belittled. I know I could leave this for something potentially better but I am afraid of taking that leap for myself. I worry for my health, what should I do?
Find or create something better, something that makes you smile. Even if it takes some time, it will be so worth it. xo
Being so busy to pay for the shopping -> that was me right there. As a recovering shopaholic, I’m so glad I’m off that wheel and I feel for people who are still on it. Thanks for sharing, Courtney!
I started my wardrobe capsule last August and have consolidated from two closets to half a closet in that time. I took my mom on an amazing vacation this year with the money I saved just not buying clothes. This process has helped me refocus my life on the things that make me happy. Letting stuff go to let happiness in becomes much easier after you take that first step. You’ve been such an encouragement to me. Thanks!