No Shop October

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The past two months, I have been on a journey to recover from shopaholic-ism. In September, I didn't shop AT ALL. It was tough, but I felt great at the end of the month when I accomplished my goal. Because I was trying to teach myself that I don't really ever NEED new clothes, I decided to continue my shopping ban in the month of October. I wanted to completely abstain from shopping so that I could discover what my bad habits were that left me a frantic shopaholic, spending and buying more than I needed, and I also wanted to put myself in a bit of a timeout for past bad shopping behavior.

Halfway through this month, I really started to get the shopping itch. Its the itch that says, "You really need this." "You didn't shop in September! You deserve to buy this." "If you don't buy it now, it's going to be sold out." At first, I tried to ignore the itch. When it kept rearing it's ugly head, I started to think about why I decided not to shop in October. Was I being too strict on myself? Being a person who really enjoys shopping, blogging, and following trends, did I really need to deny myself those simple pleasures for two months to "teach myself a lesson"? I had already learned so much about my shopping habits and how I needed to change them in the future.

I started thinking about theories around dieting, and how people always say "everything is okay in moderation." So, what about shopping in moderation? I equated shopping to eating carbs. In the past, I have done the South Beach diet, where you start off by cutting out carbs from your diet completely for two weeks. By doing this, you train your body not to crave them as much. After two weeks, you gradually add carbs back in moderation. And that's what I decided to do with my shopping.

A month or so ago when I created my shopping budget, I decided on a set amount I would spend monthly on clothing. I knew that if I came out of my shopping ban without a plan, I would probably go a little overboard with my shopping in November. I decided I would split November's budget in half; spend half in October, and half in November; therefore, gradually getting back in to shopping, and having to be smart about it so that I didn't go over budget right off the bat.

I picked 2 of the items from my wishlist that I wanted the most, searched for coupons to get the best deal, and then I pulled the trigger. Unlike before, when the majority of what I was buying was on impulse, making carefully thought out purchases felt good.  I had given myself time to think about whether I was really going to get use out of the item, or if I just wanted it because "everyone else had it," or for any of the other reasons I used to justify my clothing purchases in the past. I knew that when I was still thinking about and planning outfits with this skirt and this dress after two or three weeks of staring at them online, they were going to be worth adding to my wardrobe. You'll see them styled here soon. :)

I want to share with you the shopping habits I discovered that I had during my shopping ban.

1. I was an emotional shopper. I used shopping as both a coping mechanism and a reward system. Having a bad day? Buy something! Oh, it's your birthday week? Go shopping!
2. I shopped when I was bored. These days, its so easy to buy things online, which lead to me buying a lot of things that I wouldn't have had I done something more productive in my down time.
3. When I found an outfit I wanted to copy (on a blog, Pinterest, etc.), I immediately set out to purchase the pieces I was lacking to complete it. And then I'd wear that outfit once.
4. Sometimes I buy things I like, style them and photograph them for the blog, but never end up wearing them in real life.
5. I was an enabler. I frequently told friends that they NEEDED to buy things that they liked. And my little inner enabler voice was telling me the same thing.

So, am I fully recovered? No. But have a made some progress in discovering why I was shopping so much and how to put a healthy limit on it? Yes. While my shopping cravings are still there, I stopped myself from several online impulse buys by placing the item on my wishlist and closing my web browser. If I want to use my November budget to buy that item, I can. Otherwise, the initial impulse is gone, and I saved myself from spending money on something I didn't really love. I consider that a major success.

Along with putting into place a shopping budget for myself, I also want to stop my tendency to be an enabler. What does that mean for you as a reader? I will still link the items that I wear on my blog, and if I link a similar item, I promise to find the most affordable dupe that I can. I will also share any coupon codes or sales on the items I provide links to, so if you do want to purchase anything I share here, you can get the best deal possible.

One huge lesson that I came away with during this process of self-improvement, reflection, and change is that it is very important to celebrate your successes. When you accomplish your goals, do a little something to treat yourself, like I did when I ended my shopping ban a little early. Tell your friends and family who supported you in your goal about what you accomplished. Positive reinforcement will keep you on the right track.

No Shop September

I didn't shop during the month of September.

*GASP*

That's right, aside from two Phillip Lim for Target bags that I planned ahead for, I didn't buy any clothes, shoes, jewelry, or bags. Why did I do it?

     1) I shopped a lot in the month of August
     2) I don't "need" anything new, especially since the weather hasn't cooled off yet
     3) I don't want to be a shopaholic anymore.

There, I said it. I don't want to be a shopaholic anymore. I no longer want to associate myself with that word. I mean, I even use that word to describe myself in my Instagram bio, so how can I keep up the facade that I don't have a problem?

So let's get a little bit personal. This has always been my logic: I don't have debt, so I'm not a shopaholic. Or, my shopping isn't out of control because I don't have debt. What kind of logic is that? Thanks to Mint.com, I am able to see what percentage of my paycheck is being spent on clothes. Scary! I tried to push away those little nagging thoughts and twinges of guilt for buying just one more pair of black boots, or that ever so unique top (the one that looks so similar to three I already have in my closet). But those thoughts popping up.

Then the real guilt set in.

So picture this, I'm lying in bed one night, feeling physically nervous that I won't be able to get my hands on those Phillip Lim bags I'd been craving, and I thought of the lilies of the field, and how they don't care what they wear.

That was the point when I realized, something is really wrong here. What I wear should not bring me anxiety! I already have enough things to worry about.

I'm starting to get a bit literal here, but stick with me. The moment we allow something as unimportant as what we wear control us, to cause us anxiety, or drain our bank accounts, there is something wrong. God does not want us to worry about anything, so in that moment of "Limsanity," I decided I needed to do something about it.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with getting joy out of fashion. For me, it is a hobby, an interest, a passion. It allows me to express my artistic side. It is a successful money-making industry which employs millions of people worldwide. It is an industry which values art, creativity, and beauty. And these are things God also loves.

And is the earth not so beautiful? It doesn't take more than a quick glance around you to know that God created something amazing and awe inspiring for us. In Genesis 1:31, God looked around, and knew that His work was good.

God admires our beauty as well.

So what I am saying, is that as a Christian young woman, I want to be smarter about how I shop, what I buy, and how much I spend. I don't want to stress over it, eat ramen because of it, or have to rearrange my budget for it. I don't want it to be an addiction anymore, but rather, a creative outlet which I can use to express the talents and passions God has given me.

I know (at least I hope), there are more of you ladies out there feeling the same way I am, and that's why I have decided to document my journey as a "recovering shopaholic" as I continue my shopping ban into the month of October. Every Tuesday in October, I will bring you a new post packed with information about how to shop your closet, how to find the best bargain, how to decide what you really need, and how to blog on a budget. I want to share my tips and tricks with you, so we can still be fashionista's without breaking the bank or feeling guilty.

Shopping Ban

One of my New Year's resolutions was to try my luck with a shopping ban. From January through March, I am only allowing myself to buy the essentials (I'll explain what that means here in a bit). Here's why I decided to try out a ban:

1. I want to reduce the amount I spend on clothes.
2. My closet is overflowing. When I moved into my new place over the summer, my closet space was cut in half. Not only do I not need anything new, but I am in the process of getting rid of anything that doesn't fit my style anymore.
3. I am going on a trip to Europe in March, and I plan to do most of my spring shopping in London and Paris (so stinking excited for this!!) I am currently saving money for my big trip.

So how is it possible to accomplish a shopping ban?

• Avoid the mall! This one is a little tricky considering I live right across the street from my favorite mall. The only way to keep this ban going is to avoid that place like the plague! I also have to stay away from stores like Target, because, if you are anything like me, you know how hard it is to walk out with only the item you went in for.
• Have a goal. In this case, my goal is my trip to Europe. If I'm ever tempted to buy a new pair of shoes or a new sweater, I ask myself, "Would I rather have these shoes, or would I rather buy more in Europe?" That usually is enough to convince me to to put whatever is tempting me back on the rack and walk away.
• Shop your closet. I read a lot of fashion blogs and spend a fair amount of time on Pinterest, so I use these to get ideas for more ways to wear the pieces I already have.
• Get help from your friends so they can help remind you if you get carried away.

I can't begin to give advice on this subject unless I let you in on how its been going for me. This month, I have allowed myself to buy some essentials for my trip- t-shirts, leggings, and other staple clothing items that will be good for travel. I am backpacking through Europe (or "backpacking in style" as I like to call it), so I will be packing as lightly as possible. I also caved (oops!) and bought 2 tops during a J. Crew Factory sale that were majorly marked down. They were really reasonably priced ($10 and $25 each) and are pieces I can carry through to my spring and summer wardrobe.

So there you have it! Just a little insight and some tips on how I plan to successfully complete my shopping ban. Stay tuned in a couple months for my European haul!

I'll leave you with a quick OOTD:

Sweater- Forever 21 (similar), Tank- Forever 21, Leggings- Seven (similar), Boots- Charlotte Russe

<3 Katie