Reflections on 90 Days of No Shopping…

Good Morning!

So I made it 90 days without shopping for a darn thing. I'm proud of myself; because there were times when I really felt like I needed to shop. Last week on Day 90 I rejoiced a bit on Twitter and the main question I got back was "So when's the shopping spree?" - and to be honest I have no clue. I learned some things along the way and I'd like to share them with you:

1. I need a new hobby.
With no shopping,I found myself incredibly bored. Is this all I do? I questioned myself plenty of times as to how I exactly spent my time.

2. I saved money. The money I saved I applied to credit cards and student loans - it felt nice... sometimes. I also started to put some money away for a small vacation this summer :)

3. I wasted money.
I spoke on this when I reached the halfway mark. (read here)- but I can't stop thinking of how much money I've really spent on clothes.

4. I need to clean out my closets.
No seriously!

5. I AM able to pack for a 2 week trip overseas without shopping.
I've NEVER been able to do this before - I would go on a shopping frenzy before I left because I thought that I didn't have enough. By restricting myself this time around, I saw that I had more than enough to get through the trip.

6. I got creative.
By not being able to just go and get what I just knew I needed at the moment, I was forced to look through my closet to complete my outfits. I found things - as in I didn't know I had them, and I started putting pieces together that I hadn't thought of. I got so into making new outfits that I started taking pictures so that I wouldn't forget. Now that the 90 days are over, I will be extra vigilant in making sure I stay creative with my clothes - why keep buying if I know there's a gem in my closet waiting to be worn and used creatively, it's fun!

7. I appreciate all that I have.
And going back to South Africa definitely drove the point home even further. "Nothing is by chance"... I stop shopping, I go to South Africa and once again see the disparity between the have's and the have nots- I come back stateside and go into a state of deep reflection as to just HOW MUCH I have in all aspects of my life.

I'm shocked that I am not itching to shop now that I can - I have a better assessment of what's really in my closet so when I think of purchasing an item I think of what I already have. Besides for certain events on the horizon, anything I buy at this point will strictly be a desire. I'm hesitant to impulsively jump back into my old habits; as this challenge has made me realize so much more than I thought it would. Thanks for going along for the ride, I appreciated your encouragement!

Fulani Earrings, $17, Gold Coast Africa

How about these for my 1st post-90 days purchase?

What did you all think of my challenge? Did you think I went nuts? Do you think it's something you could do?