Day 10 of my no buy year

 savoring simple daily pleasures 

Ten days ago when I promised myself I wouldn't purchase any clothing or footwear for the entirety of 2024, I hadn't really comprehended the enormity of the bombardment we receive every day. Its only been 10 day since my promise and during that time, already, I have become so acutely aware of daily temptations, advertising, social media, retail tricks to urge, persuade and cajole us into parting with our money.

I am staggered by how much it has been brought to my attention and how that little burning need, and fear of missing out, is played upon at every turn by marketing and retail. Two days into my promise I had to take my girls to a mall to purchase a few things they required (not even clothing but some skincare and a paperback book!) I was aware as I parked my car of a quiet determination to not be swayed- much as with any restrictive diet- but truly, within moments, as I purposefully walked swiftly past one of my go-to high street brands, they had a SALE rack just at the door. A $25 sale rack of all things- oh yes, quality, timeless pieces for a fraction of their usual retail price. It all but stopped me in my tracks before I quickly checked myself, and continued to the shop I was planning to go to. But that little rush, that little buzz and adrenaline, of dopamine, still surfaced- just at the thought of being able to sang a bargain, a shiny new something triggered by that magical red sign- SALE. 

I am pleased to report I didn't so much as break my stride and if anything that little experience made me even more determined to see this through. It made me hyper aware of how much we get sucked in, talk ourselves into things, persuade our selves, make excuses and justify these purchases that we truly, almost certainly don't need. Very occasionally- a few times a year perhaps, I will go out with a list and a budget knowing exactly what I am looking to purchase, to fill a necessary gap in my wardrobe- but lets be honest- 99% of the time when we purchase clothing or footwear its on impulse- it catches our eye, a friend has one we admired, an irresistible sale price, an unmissable deal; we buy onto how we want those garments to make us feel or behave or be seen. I know I'm guilty of snatching up an off season deal on items which remain in my closet with their tags on until their season rolled round by which time that pair of pants you bought it to go with no longer fit, you've changed your style a little, or you just plainly see why it was heavily discounted in the first place- to shift stock. in exchange for your hard earned cash. Now I'd like to think I'm a fairly discerning shopper. I prefer quality over quantity, I have successfully enjoyed and maintained a 10 item wardrobe and a capsule wardrobe over the years, then it got a bit out of hand and kept being added to and growing- in part as my style (and shape) changed somewhat, until I reached this point. Too much. 

We are currently at the beach on a family summer break in a small coastal township- with some eye wateringly affluent houses. with the grand homes comes a few boutique shops happy to accommodate their needs, whims and wallets. Our youngest wanted to browse the surf shop and while I happily accompanies her and offered advise on the style and fit of the swimwear she was trying on, again I realized how the clever merchandising draws you in, try's to persuade you and influence you, offer you something more, something better. Amazingly I felt almost smug knowing that I had absolutely no intention of making a purchase for myself - other than sunscreen....which we genuinely needed and is not clothing!

It has felt like a long time already- and if I'm honest I'm a little apprehensive of the FULL YEAR and all the temptations and opportunities which will be scattered regularly across my path. But I genuinely want to do this. To re teach myself to make do, but more importantly to really love and appreciate all the lovely clothing I ALREADY own. Gratefully and happily.  

On a recent walk I was pondering all this and my new found discipline (lets not get carried away and say frugality!) and I chose to focus on the micro not the macro : I'm often mesmerized by the magnificent panoramas and vistas we are fortunate enough to live by and here at our favorite beach settlement, but it was poignant to reflect that all these littler details make up the bigger pictures- that these giant impressive vistas are made up of these minute details. This quite reflection on nature helped me re focus on the bigger picture, the end game and the reason I wasn't to do things in the first place. 

I know its "just clothes" but it signifies a deeper more important underlying conditioning we seem to have all been washed with in the first world. Rather than celebrating what we have and treasuring our possessions we are always searching for more bigger brighter better newer. its gluttony for the most part, and wasteful and worst of all- just accepted. So, bringing this back to the wonders of mother nature  helps me step back, breath and see the bigger picture for what it is.