I loved every word of this. Such food for thought. Now you’ve inspired me to try a month of a no buy myself, but like a shopping fiend I keep thinking of reasons to put this off which makes me think that’s a sign I really need to do a no buy.
So long as you don't need anything, you'll probably be ok! I feel as though that was my great triumph, the fact that I just kept asking myself did I need that, and the answer was also a resounding no.
Every time I go to buy something I realize I have something pretty similar. Nowadays I’m trying to add more eclectic fun stuff to my wardrobe because it got a little too bland for a bit there. I will be pondering my own contentment with what I have.
Love this nuanced take on a no buy and that you acknowledge that a no buy isn’t right for everyone. The contentment you’ve found with your existing items is admirable you’re so right about people in general not caring if we wear new things.
Yes! I started to feel a bit stupid announcing how I hadn't bought any clothes for another whole month - people were just kind of like, yes, you've already got loads of clothes!
I could not love this more, Louise – all of it! Actually, just reading this piece somehow is calming in itself, a deep reality check and, as always, so nuanced and real. I love how you write about your family, your granddaughter and your mother – and how all of life weaves in to our context and choices. Home and wardrobe, all of it. Thank you so much for this. 💗
I'm so happy to read that you've found contentment, Louise! It's taken me a lot longer than 8 months to find that contentment that you speak of, but I also think that I'm there, and it fees like a very weird place to be. Sometimes I think that it's all just smoke and mirrors and that at any minute I'm going to rebound like I did after my no buy year, but I'm also confident that I won't.
I really think where and why you start is important . I think you went into your low-buy with a sense of realism after your previous year, so hopefully it will stay this way. I'm watching you for pointers! I think I'm in a good place at the moment because this is where I was aiming to be, and I've been working up to it for quite a while!
I never realized that, yes, I do like to recognize something one of my friends is wearing, something that I associate hazily with good memories and their particular role in my life.
Thank you for a thought-provoking essay. It’s worth a re-read.
I think we’re so fed this narrative that we need new all the time, and it’s bad if people notice we’re wearing the same thing again, that we forget how comforting it actually is both to wear the same things, and to notice familiar clothes on others. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Your experience with a no-buy is so inspiring...I feel the love and appreciation for your clothes behind your words. I think that's the thing that will endure through the way you approach shopping in future too! I had a big struggle last week around buying things and I really had to dig into the lessons I internalised from slowing down to get some clarity. And agree this is so much easier when we already have more-than-ample clothes that we've collected.
I really love this, especially the last paragraph where you say how content you feel. I’m trying not to buy clothes for a year, and you inspire me to keep going (despite a couple of lapses)
I loved every word of this. Such food for thought. Now you’ve inspired me to try a month of a no buy myself, but like a shopping fiend I keep thinking of reasons to put this off which makes me think that’s a sign I really need to do a no buy.
So long as you don't need anything, you'll probably be ok! I feel as though that was my great triumph, the fact that I just kept asking myself did I need that, and the answer was also a resounding no.
Every time I go to buy something I realize I have something pretty similar. Nowadays I’m trying to add more eclectic fun stuff to my wardrobe because it got a little too bland for a bit there. I will be pondering my own contentment with what I have.
Pondering contentment is always a win!
Love this nuanced take on a no buy and that you acknowledge that a no buy isn’t right for everyone. The contentment you’ve found with your existing items is admirable you’re so right about people in general not caring if we wear new things.
Yes! I started to feel a bit stupid announcing how I hadn't bought any clothes for another whole month - people were just kind of like, yes, you've already got loads of clothes!
I could not love this more, Louise – all of it! Actually, just reading this piece somehow is calming in itself, a deep reality check and, as always, so nuanced and real. I love how you write about your family, your granddaughter and your mother – and how all of life weaves in to our context and choices. Home and wardrobe, all of it. Thank you so much for this. 💗
Thanks Jenni! My family are an inextricable part of how I see the world, and to a woman (and a few men) serious clothesaholics!
I 1000% understand and I’m with you!
I'm so happy to read that you've found contentment, Louise! It's taken me a lot longer than 8 months to find that contentment that you speak of, but I also think that I'm there, and it fees like a very weird place to be. Sometimes I think that it's all just smoke and mirrors and that at any minute I'm going to rebound like I did after my no buy year, but I'm also confident that I won't.
I really think where and why you start is important . I think you went into your low-buy with a sense of realism after your previous year, so hopefully it will stay this way. I'm watching you for pointers! I think I'm in a good place at the moment because this is where I was aiming to be, and I've been working up to it for quite a while!
I never realized that, yes, I do like to recognize something one of my friends is wearing, something that I associate hazily with good memories and their particular role in my life.
Thank you for a thought-provoking essay. It’s worth a re-read.
I think we’re so fed this narrative that we need new all the time, and it’s bad if people notice we’re wearing the same thing again, that we forget how comforting it actually is both to wear the same things, and to notice familiar clothes on others. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Love that part "learn to admire without needing to acquire".
Its my new mantra!
Your experience with a no-buy is so inspiring...I feel the love and appreciation for your clothes behind your words. I think that's the thing that will endure through the way you approach shopping in future too! I had a big struggle last week around buying things and I really had to dig into the lessons I internalised from slowing down to get some clarity. And agree this is so much easier when we already have more-than-ample clothes that we've collected.
Yes, I’m hoping this feeling lasts and I do believe it might :)
I really love this, especially the last paragraph where you say how content you feel. I’m trying not to buy clothes for a year, and you inspire me to keep going (despite a couple of lapses)
I'm very happy to hear I am helping you keep going! And yes, I'm pretty pleased with the contentment!
Such joy ❤️
Thank you :)