I'm not really one to make resolutions when the new year rolls in, but I do like to take the time to reflect on the past year and try and see what I did well and what I did wrong, and what I can do to change. One of the things I did 'wrong' in 2013 is spending, especially on clothes. I started buying way too many coffees when my thermos acquired a strange taste I couldn't wash off, I ate out way too many times when I ran out of groceries, but truly, my biggest 'vice' of 2013 was acquiring garments.
As you know, 2013 was probably one of the worst years I've ever had, what with anxiety momentarily overtaking all my waking moments. I felt justified in 'treating' myself, especially as I had just been promoted and received a raise at work when all of this happened. I eventually quit my job and got better, but my online shopping habits went on as they had in the previous months. I should also point out that in the fall, I spent quite a bit of my savings on stock for the shop, and that even though I'm not even done listing that, I still felt justified purchasing more stock. In brief, while I'm not on the edge of destitution, I made some really bad purchases and decisions last year that weigh on me morally.
As a result of my online shopping to pass time (which I feel guilty about - I not only lost money, I lost hours of my time), I somehow lost touch with my taste and my sense of financial and practical reality. This year, I'd like to remedy to that. I'd like to push myself to be more patient when it comes to what I can realistically find in thrift shops, and what really is 'a good deal,' and what I can realistically buy on ebay and etsy and what I should not. Acne Needle jeans that are too big for me, you would have been a deal had you fit, but now I'm 100$ short and nowhere nearer to have pants. If I can barely buy pants in person, I shouldn't venture to purchase them online.
Over the past few days, I've been making an effort to create polyvore sets with 'things to mull over,' and to keep track of things I like but dismissed so I won't go and convince myself otherwise in some flight of fancy. I've also been finding polyvore useful to help me visualise my style better; I don't know why I left it aside for so long, it's proving to be a useful tool.
I don't think I'll realistically be able to document all my purchases here, but I'm planning on writing more about personal style if only to help me get back in touch with my taste. I'm hoping this will be as interesting and inspirational (this word is overused, I know!) for you as it will be for me, especially as I want to try and do it in a manner that won't spark too many overconsumerist tendencies in me or others. It should be an interesting experiment.
Above is most of one of my favourite editorials ever (!), from Lula 17, styled by Valentine Fillol-Cordier and photographed by Édouard Plongeon. Via.
So timely that you should write this as I am working on a similar post for my blog! 2013 was my first year of having a full-time job and the money that comes with it, and I spent probably half of my income for the year on clothes. SO shameful. I am planning on doing a 'month in spending' review at the end of each month on my blog, detailing not only what I bought but why I bought if, if I regret it, whether it was necessary, how much it cost and so on, as well as what I got rid of. I already feel lighter.
ReplyDeleteGeorgia, that sounds like a great idea. Some of my favorite blogs do the exact same thing, I think you'll find it really liberating ;)
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading you, Georgia Rose! One thing I've been finding a bit difficult with most of the bloggers who do this type of thing is that nearly all the ones I've come across so far only purchase new things. I often find it difficult to relate to their way of functioning because the products I consume are for the most second-hand, so one-off and non returnable, and from what I've noticed, you seem to consume in a similar manner. So I'm really looking forward to reading your new posts!
DeleteCamille, glad to discover your blog! These images you chose are so lovely. I'm sorry to hear that we share that nasty little bugger in common called anxiety. I'm still knee deep in books and tips to fight it. If you have the chance, the issue of The Atlantic magazine is on stands now and its the anxiety issue, try taking a peek. No cures but motivating. In the meantime, will be checking out your blog! New follower. Now keep that shopping at bay ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliments and suggestion, Laetitia! I had a look at the Atlantic issue online, but I'll definitely have a look at it when I come across it in person. My therapist once recommended me "The Mindful Way Through Anxiety" (although he said that the "Through Depression" one was just as good and helpful for an anxious person) - have you read it? I forgot about it until recently, but I really want to pick up a copy since it somehow keeps coming up in conversations. Also, I'm glad you like my blog :)
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