BlogHer - The year of not shopping - Comments

SO how did everybody do?

kinnicchick — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:59:23 -0500

I just found this post through your StumbleUpon, Susan. And this idea excites me to no end (as I look around my little tiny loft at the piles of stuff I had to clear out of our little tiny office to do a bit of painting and I want to pull my hair out trying to figure out what to do with it all...)

Can I do it for a year? Perhaps. I certainly would like to. But I'd love to hear/read others' experiences.

It's a movement!

JennyM — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:59:14 -0600

I know I'm late to the bandwagon here -- just linked to this post from a Working Closet post, after catching up on those -- but I'm doing something similar. It evolved out of a conversation with a friend a few weeks ago about cutting out the "frivolous" purchases, and it seems to be a concept that's sweeping the nation. I do just have too much stuff, and I do find myself shopping to procrastinate, shopping in response to stress, etc. And a *lot* of money was going out the door this way. I pledged to stop for a month -- but who knows, I may keep it up, if I can have broken the cycle... I had no idea it was such a widespread phenomenon, but that's pretty cool.

The Compact

GreenMom — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:47:27 -0600

Relating specifically to this idea, I recently ran across an article about The Compact which was started by a group of friends in San Francisco. This has grown into this giant movement with around 8,000 members. It involves not buying anything new (with specific guidelines) for an entire year. www.sfcompact.blogspot.com

I committed to one month. I did modify their rules a little bit. My sons needed new sports shoes (mens size 13 and 15 which even if I wanted to find used would have been a challenge :) ) so i allowed myself to buy them new shoes.

Susan hit the most important point exactly. The few times I've found myself wanting to go shopping (not even for anything specific) had to do more with my mental state than a need for anything in particular. It has been an almost freeing experience to NOT spend money.

As the end of January approaches, I'm planning on extending my commitment for another month.
Lisa
www.365gogreen.com

Less was more in 07 shopping.

hotbikinipress — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:12:01 -0600

True that less is more. This past year 2007 really did not produce any new exciting fashions. I did see a lot of dresses that seem to come out of the 60's with that girlish look that not even the mannequins as thin as they are looked good. A great year indeed of taking a fashion Fast.

Responsible Shopping

Miss SEAMS — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:47:37 -0600

I know many women shop for entertainment or to fill some sort of inner void instead of binge eating or coping with other issues, and that's not healthy. Americans in general shop for clothing with a throw away mindset. Who needs 12 pair of jeans? Nobody. Approach your wardrobe like European women do and concentrate on the mix and match basics. Have some of your good older pieces remade at a tailor instead of getting rid of them or buying new. Give yourself a responsible incentive like ONLY Buying US Made goods in 2008!
As a Retailer I of course don't want anyone to stop shopping! Ever. In fact in recent business journals I have read, many chain retailers are planning to close locations this year due to the major Holiday Sales losses that hit us all. This is ultimately going to impact everyone financially and is not a good thing! The price of oil, housing costs, and the War made people a little more aware of where their money was going, but to stop the flow of commerce will result in a guaranteed recession for all of us.

If not shopping at all is too difficult...

Margaret Lozano — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:56:54 -0600

I decided to give up buying things made in China this year and I've found that pretty much eliminates shopping anyway (or at least makes it a lot tougher to find anything). I do think it would be difficult to give up all shopping, though I think it's a great idea, if you can stick with it. Maybe I'll try that next year!

http://earthly-paradise.blogspot.com/

Wardrobe Refashion

PlanningQueen — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 05:03:37 -0600

As with most of these sorts of things, there is a pledge that you can take along these lines. It is called Wardrobe Refashion and can be found at http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/. You pledge to “refashion, renovate, recycle, preloved items” of clothing for yourself. I did this for four months from last June and although I have fallen off the wagon and bought new stuff, it opened me up to new shopping alternatives, like clothing exchanges and boutique second hand markets. I am just not that great with the sewing machine and found getting big chunks of time to finish projects too hard. Consumerism is quite overwhelming!

I accept!

PowerYogaGirl — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:38:42 -0600

As a self-described shop-a-holic, my husband was quite startled when I told him I was committing to a month of not shopping. Then he realized that we were on vacation the first week of the month and that I will be traveling for business the last week of the month. So, if I can make it to the end of the month without my time killing, twice-weekly wanderings through Target or TJ Maxx buying whatever is cute or on sale, I will probably extend for two weeks into February.

I had received a challenge from a colleague about taking my "greenness" to a new level this year, and I have been having a hard time figuring out just what I would do to decrease the affect my family being alive has on our planet. So this is one way for sure. We are already pretty green to start. I am also going to start composting, which I know our four-year-old will just love to help with.

Thanks for setting forth the challenge and for all of those women out there who are making a difference.

this is awesome

sarafisher — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:24:09 -0600

Wow, I love this idea. I do. And I'm a crazy shopper. I think I'm in... once I reasses my job-less life, I might be up for the challenge!

I totally agree!

rookiemomheather — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:34:55 -0600

Somehow, I've managed to use the excuse of a new baby or home remodel as a convenient reason NOT to do the compact project. We're good craigs-listers and clothing swappers but we also live here in the US and the pressures to consume and BUY NEW STUFF are pretty powerful.

I have on my list of things to do this year to go without buying anything new (save essential toiletries) for a full month. I'm glad to read it's trendy. :-)

the distinction between NEED and WANT

Susan Wagner — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:24:55 -0600

I think the most fascinating part of this whole enterprise is making the distinction between a NEED and a WANT. Everyone NEEDS shoes, but I WANT those cute pony hair Mary Janes; I don't NEED them because I have ten other pairs in the closet. Then again, could I argue that I DO need them because the ten other pairs don't include a pair of pony hair Mary Janes?

See the dilemma?

We're not done talking about this, in case you were wondering. Thank you all for your thoughtful feedback.

Friday Style | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate

I think your friend is my sister!

hundadaweigouren — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:00:38 -0600

My sister is the exact same way! Yikes! Our kids have at least twice as much as we had as children (if not more). All they really want is some time and attention from the adults in their world. More "stuff", "gadgets" and material goods will not make them better people.... teaching them to care about and interact with the humans in their world will.

On kids being 'deprived'

Caitlin — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:37:25 -0600

I think some people have a really warped idea of what makes children happy. I had a terrible time with one friend of mine when I recently requested to all my friends that we didn't exchange gifts between ourselves and our children at Christmas . Everyone - except one friend - said 'hallelujah, we (and the kids) already have too much stuff!' It wasn't about saving money, it was about reducing the amount of stuff that was coming into our respective homes, especially at Christmas when they are getting lots of presents from their parents and extended family as well - and that's quite enough stuff thanks.

This particular friend ranted endlessly about how cruel I was to deprive them of gifts and what was wrong with spoiling them a little? Sheesh. The way she was talking my girls were in for a positively Dickensian Christmas. I couldn't make her understand that there were plenty of other people spoiling them with material things and if she really wanted to spoil them she could spend some time with them - they'd love that!! Of course the girls had a fantastic Christmas and didn't even notice that they weren't 'spoiled' by friends and acquaintances.

I am all for reducing all that incoming stuff. Decluttering and reduction are on my 2008 to do list.

Setting an example for children is so important.

Papergeist — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:24:34 -0600

Growing up in the woods in New Hampshire, there were no convenient malls or department stores. To make purchases, we had to go into town, sometimes as far as Boston. My childhood was filled with living, not shopping and I really think it has made an enormous difference in the way I feel about "shopping for entertainment." However, sometimes the more energy spent on NOT doing something, the more it is bound to fail -think diets. The way to do it is to just "let go" of the perceived need and desire. Learn to love what you already have, after all: Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.

Susan
Papergeist

Down with the sickness...

sarcasticjournalist — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 16:31:46 -0600

It really is freeing NOT to buy things. Even now, as I'm not doing so in January, I find myself with the "well, let's just go to the thrift store and SEE" mentality.

Why? Because I am bored or stressed or tired or just don't know what to do.

I also read "Not Buying It" awhile ago though the political talk also turned me off. Way off.

And, if people don't want to stop shopping I think that everyone doing this can really hopefully open eyes to WHAT we are buying and WHY we are doing so.

Rachel at The Simple Family.

The year of not shopping

Susan Wagner — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 22:24:27 -0600

Recently, I wrote about The Story of Stuff, the short film that walks you through the origins and destinations of stuff. I am big believer that less is more, and that you can have a very small wardrobe of well-fitting, well-made, well-cared-for pieces and be completely stylish.

But this year, it seems, not shopping is the new chic, and frankly, I couldn't be happier about it.

I gave up shopping for the entire month of October, primarily to make a point: you DO have what you need in your closet -- or maybe you don't, but until you know what is in there, you will never know what you need. I documented my outfits at Flickr, for the entire month. I wore the same things over and over, but I didn't really mind. It was actually a lot easier to get dressed, because I knew that this was it, these were my only choices.

What surprised me the most wasn't how easy it was to get dressed; it was the realization that I shop mostly out of stress or boredom or anxiety. The days that I most wanted to BUY SOMETHING, ANYTHING AT ALL, were the days when I was overwhelmed by some other catastrophe in my life -- a new job, for example, or a nonfunctioning refrigerator. I rationalized my desire to spend, saying that I had earned something new, just for showing up for work or dealing with a household problem. And honestly, I found that a little -- okay, a LOT -- horrifying.

I am not the only one with bad shopping habits, and I'm not the only one experimenting with a shopping fast to help identify them. Stara at Random Rantings is giving up shopping for 60 days, not because she can't afford it, but because, in her words, "I have too damn much stuff. Way too much." Her shopping isn't enjoyable any more, and it's not serving any real purpose. She's got the classic Closet Full of Nothing to Wear, and she's tired of it.

So, I’ve got a theme going- The Purpose Driven Wardrobe. It sounds boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Because one of my Purposes can be to look cute. But I want to have cute that I can utilize with a greater frequency in my every day life. I have a lot of short sighted purchases hanging in my closet that I love, but hardly ever wear because they have no purpose, or a very limited purpose. And that is really just wasted money.

I think The Purpose Driven Wardrobe is a brilliant idea, and I think that Stara's approach is also brilliant, because she is doing two important things: she is defining her terms, and she is stepping back to take stock of what she has and what she needs. What she is trying to eliminate is not shopping itself, but mindless consumption. I am all over that.

Stara is not the only one giving up purposeless buying. Rachel at The Simple Family is living greener these days, which means not buying new, for one thing. She and her family have also given up shopping, for the entire month of January. Like Stara, Rachel is trying to simplify, but she is thinking about more than just her wardrobe.

If you are reading this, it must be January. While the rest of the Northern Hemisphere is anticipating Spring (except for Texas, we’re still really waiting for Winter), I’ve got bigger fish to fry. Why? Well, this month, we have decided to “compact.”

What does that mean? Well, for one month, we are cutting back. Cutting way back. Cutting back to the basics. Compacting the amount of junk we own, compacting the amount we buy. I also look at it as a pact to myself to really try and make an effort. We’ve been buying used for awhile now, but I’ve still let myself buy more than I should have just because it is “used.” While we’ve been pretty good about not buying anything ridiculous, well, we could be doing better.

So, for this month, we are putting the kibosh on shopping. With the exception of food/personal items, we’re not shopping. Of course, there are a few exceptions. If something big comes up that must be replaced and must be replaced new, well, we will. (Hopefully, that won’t happen.) Otherwise, say, all our dishes break tomorrow? We’ll buy a used alternative.

I have been watching Rachel's project closely since she began, late this summer, because I think that this idea of simplifying is an important one. What has fascinated me the most, though, is not what Rachel and her family are doing -- or NOT doing -- in order to life more simply, but the response she is getting. Commenters at her site regularly berate her for depriving her children of things like cable television and molded plastic toys.

Teaching our children to live -- and be happy and satisfied -- with less is perhaps the greatest challenge of my generation. How do we do that? By not shopping. BlogHer's own Chris has risen to the challenge; she and her family are forgoing unnecessary spending for the entire year. Chris will be chronicling her efforts at A Year Off.

It is about our family’s New Year resolution. We are taking a year off from spending money. Obviously we still have to buy things like food, toilet paper, heating oil.

But for an entire year there will be no impulse Target buying, no new shoes for people who have feet that are no longer growing, no new t-shirts, pants, sweaters… nothing that we don’t need.

For us this isn’t an exercise in saving money, though my husband may disagree with me here.

Nor is it an effort to live a more green life, though that is also a nice benefit.

For me it is an effort to lessen the amount of stuff that comes into our house. To take a step outside of the mindless consumerism for a time and assess the real differences between what we want and what we really need. I suspect that it will be an ongoing process of negotiations, both internally and within the family. What do we really need?

Chris has gotten a lot of positive support for her project, but she has also had readers who are concerned about her children, because they will be deprived during this year of mindful shopping. She has also had readers who say, "Oh I could NEVER do THAT!" which, while less disturbing than accusing Chris -- or Rachel -- of abusing their children is still saddening to me. The shopping that all of these women are talking about -- extras, add-ons, things we either already have or don't need in the first place -- should be easy to walk away from.

So why isn't it? Because we live in a culture where shopping is sold as a means of self expression, where you earn new things simply for showing up, and where having it all -- even if you don't have room for it all -- is a measure of success. But in your closet and your home and your life, less really IS more. And so it's time to stop shopping.

Could YOU give up shopping for a month? How about two months? A year?

Do it. I challenge you.

Susan Wagner writes about fashion at Friday Style and The Working Closet and Fashion Find. She will not be shopping for clothes or shoes or handbags for the next sixty days.