I've received many messages, particularly over the holiday season, from readers looking for advice on how to not overspend. Many readers wrote that they feel consumed by shopping and that it's taking over their life. As a result, many are in debt, have their homes cluttered with too many items, and yet with all these things, they still feel an overall sense of emptiness.
I hear you on this. We live in a consumer culture and we rarely take pleasure in the simple things... in what we already have, before we go out and purchase the next thing.
I used to be quite consumed by shopping... particularly for clothes. My next purchase was always on my mind and I would rarely leave a shopping trip without buying something. Once I decided to change my ways and implement the lessons I learned in Paris though, my shopping habit was kicked. Yes, I still shop and I enjoy it but I am not consumed by it. It does not control my life.
Now I'm not suggesting we stop shopping entirely. We all still have to buy things. I believe in making informed decisions and buying high quality products, which is why I continue to review (and give away!) products on this blog. Part of what I love about blogging is doing the research for you and sharing my finds.
My advice is that we should pause before we buy anything (big or small) and that we should practice gratitude and appreciation for what we already have.
To hear more thoughts on the subject, watch this week's video which discusses chapter 16 in Lessons from Madame Chic, Reject the New Materialism. If you are unable to see the video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur
This week I would love to know... are you (or have you ever been) a shopaholic?
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7 comments:
Recovering shopahoilc here!! My special weakness is cosmetics and beauty products. This year I made a resolution (inspired by the Madame Chic book) to stop buying color cosmetics (lipsticks, eyeshadows, etc.) and save that money for some really GOOD skincare. So far so good! My skin is looking better and therefore I need less cosmetics. I am trying to use what I already have and have found some great shades in the back of my cosmetics drawer.
When I shop it is usually for a specific item. So I am on a quest. new Mascara or workout shoes etc. My closet is full, however I wear what I have and it makes me feel good.
I am also taking much better care of my skin; so less makeup purchases!
xoxo
Karena
2013 Artists Series
I'm definitely working on this one! I've found the 10 item wardrobe idea very helpful as I can now see what I have and feel more inclined to use what I have in more creative ways too. To make do in a way rather than buy something new. I'm in the process right now of clearing out my house room by room and it feels incredibly cleansing. There's no way I feel like immediately filling it all up again. Any new item is going to really have to sell itself to me to be allowed in! I'm struggling a bit with kids toys. We have so many! Does anyone else find that having kids makes this harder?
Hi there! This is more of a general comment, but I just came across your book on GoodReads and I am so excited to pick it up today! Just the book I was looking for, and so happy to find out it stemmed from your blog! Can't wait to read your past posts. (I can't get your videos to load right now, but it's probably just my connection!)
Excited to follow along!
I will admit I have major consumerist tendencies. I was so unhappy with myself the last time I paid off my HUGE credit card bill that I shut the whole thing down and now live strictly on a cash basis. Yes, it's restricting but there is something so freeing about finally being able to say no to myself when I simply don't have the cash to pay for something.
My new outlet for channeling my shopping impulse is the library! I let myself go nuts getting an absurd number of books each week and purposefully get way more than I could possibly read. That seems to somewhat satisfy my tendency to go overboard. Since I really love books this feels like a treat and helps me feel like I'm getting new stuff all the time!
I've never been what I would call a shopaholic. A few years ago my husband and I moved to Germany. Moving from California to where it snows forced a major wardrobe rethink. Got rid of a TON of stuff, not just clothes for the move. But after a year or two I realized that the stuffed/packed in feeling was returning and I realized I was just filling up the space available. I'm still going through this newest round of purging and while frustrating, it feels amazing. I have a small wardrobe (no closets) and I'm trying to get to the point where it all fits inside instead of overflowing on the shelves, pegs, etc. It's tough, but it will be worth it. I've found that when I can see all my clothes at one glance, it makes me feel rich and satisfied. When they're all shoved in there and getting wrinkled etc., even the best quality cashmere, when wadded up, makes me feel poor and like I should go get myself something nice to make myself feel better, thus adding to the problem. I have resolved this spring to recognize this cycle as it's happening and try not to buy stuff to improve my mood. Let's hope it works. :)
I don't think I've ever been a shopaholic, although I did shop quite a lot of clothing, shoes and accessories for a while. I'm happy to say that those days are over, and I'm now shopping according to a plan. It will take some time to get my wardrobe sorted, and living in a 4 season climate requires certain items, but I'm off to a good start.
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