Imagine it’s 3 p.m. on a Friday. Your will to work is nonexistent and you can’t stop fantasizing about your weekend plans — sans laptop. You take the quickest break and start scrolling through your phone in buying mode. It’s simply to get that last spark of energy to finish the workday you say, but then suddenly you have a shopping cart full of items you need to have….probably for this weekend.
Just me?
Zero impulse control
We’re living in an age and culture of ultra-consumerism. One where impulse control seems to be increasingly rare and our spending habits can fall into the aspirational category. Once I started working a traditional corporate job in my mid-20s my spending quickly picked up. I needed a whole new “corporate” wardrobe after all.
Suddenly I was about to reach my 30s and getting dressed each day was a challenge. With zero curation, my wardrobe was a hot mess, featuring a mix of styles, unused trendy items, and a broad range in the quality of each garment. Staring into the abyss of my closet, it seemed like there was never anything to wear.
Before buying anything else, I needed to be more intentional about what stayed. I needed to be more intentional about my future purchases if I wanted to bring joy and excitement back into getting dressed. To help reframe my mindset and make intentional purchases, I ask myself these questions. Taking a moment to pause and reflect before I buy helps ensure I’m adding quality items to my closet, staying within my budget — or not buying at all!
What to ask yourself before each purchase
- Did I know this item existed a day ago? A week ago?
- Did I like it before I saw someone else or an influencer wearing it?
- Could I see myself wearing it in five different outfits? More?
- Is it made of natural material? (I.e., silk, organic cotton, linen, leather, hemp, wool, cashmere, etc.)
- If not, am I prepared to use it for as long as possible?
- Will I still want it in a month?
- Could I find it secondhand instead?
Try reflecting on these questions the next time you shop and see how they encourage more intentional spending — and a better wardrobe that brings joy into getting dressed.
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