For some folks looking to downsize or limit what comes into their home it means not buying craft supplies or anything in a specific category where they already have enough. Others want to put limits on everything they buy and bring into their home for an entire year. In November of 2023 I made a decision to begin a No Buy Year. For me this means for one year I will not buy any new clothing purchased for the purpose of social-wear or work-wear. I already own plenty of these things, and I want to wear what I already have and allow it to be enough.
I’m a writer and work from home. I attend a weekly writers group on Zoom. I also do author visits with book groups on Zoom, and sometimes in person. I give readings and participate in discussion groups, but I don't do all of these things on a weekly basis. My daily doings are usually a long walk at the ocean, or in the redwoods. To the bookstore, or the library, Zen Center or a UU fellowship gathering. Running errands, the grocery store and that sort of thing. We don’t eat out often, and when we do it’s usually lunch out after we have walked on the beach or have gone hiking, or we have a tailgate picnic, and I would not want to be dressed up. Dinner with friends is often a backyard casual meal.
My closet is somewhat small, and when I moved into a new home two years ago, I had plenty of extra space on the hanging rod and extra space inside my four-drawer unit, and now both are almost too full for my personal preference. I’ve received a number of excellent, lightly worn hand me downs from friends, so I know this is partly where the excess came from. But also, since moving to a new climate (colder) I’ve bought new things.
The good news is all of my clothes are in sync with my casual lifestyle vibe, and everything can be washed in the washing machine. A few things can go into the dryer, but most need to be line dried. But I have plenty and I don’t want or need more.
Since moving to a new area I no longer have the same work life or social life. Now, I’m working from home, and my social life is causal and sometimes rugged, hiking, backyard dinners with friends outside in the redwoods or near the ocean. My go-to outfits are jeans, cotton, linen and flannel shirts. Yet if I did go out to a nicer causal restaurant, or need to be dressed nicer for social gatherings, meetings and writers events, fortunately my wardrobe is ideal. I don't need more.
My greatest challenge is that I no longer have my own washing machine and must share with my condo neighbors, and abide by the limited hours we can use the laundry room, 8am -8pm and it’s nearly impossible to get a washing machine on weekends. Also, no more tossing a load into the washer late at night or early in the morning. This is the key reason I try to wear as few clothes as possible each week. This also teaching me that a small wardrobe is a good fit for me, and it’s a key reason I’ve put my wardrobe on a diet. The other main reason is that I don't do well with excess. Having too much of anything feels overwhelming to me. I feel best with a moderate amount of stuff. Less to pick up and put away, and less to care for. Especially since I am now living in a small space.
Now, what am I allowed to buy during my No Buy Year?
I’m not a big over spender and yet I’m hoping to allocate any extra money that comes my way this year on items that bring me joy. I’m allowed to buy books on Kindle, but I need to limit hard copy books because my bookshelves are full, and I live in a small space. Still, if I can’t get a library copy of a book, I will buy it. I will also buy experiences, music on iTunes, tickets to a concert, a dinner out, vacations, replacement items of any of the things that I use daily, including replacement running shoes. Also, any of the clothes that I wear regularly can be replaced if they wear out. But first I must search my closet and make sure there isn’t something else that could serve the same purpose. No upgrades just for the sake of replacing are allowed during my no buy year. Within the guidelines I've set for myself I do have a few planned clothing purchases to make in 2024, so I will be buying a few things, and yet I'm placing my focus on items I need. Other things I'd like to have but don't need must wait until next year and I will check in with myself and discover if I still want them.
I own very few clothes that I usually only wear at home, and I’m at home most of the time. But instead of buying new clothes to wear at home I’m pulling items from my regular wardrobe. Instead of always wearing my (sad) Gap jogger pants (well worn) around the house, I have begun to wear my nicer joggers and hoodies.
Usually, I put on my nice joggers and hoodie, before my daily walk to the footpath along the water, where lots of other women walk, and most of them are also wearing jogger pants that are fresh looking and not worn out, and nice hoodies. And then when I get home, I take them off (to save for good) and I put my sad Gap sweat pants back on. And now, instead, I’m just keeping my nice joggers and hoodie on all day long if I want, and I’m feeling more upbeat. If they wear out, oh well. Then I will buy another pair.
Back in 2011 I wrote a lovely guest post, "The Clothes We Wear at Home." While the piece didn't go viral, it is widely read and I still receive reader mail with kind words. What happened to that girl? I had broken the bad habit of saving clothes for good. I even wrote about it in my recent memoir. Remember? See chapter 31 and 32. Then the pandemic arrived and with my recent move I reverted back. Now it’s time to push forward again! No wonder my closet has grown so full, I’m not wearing my clothes often enough. I must stop saving things for good, and get back on the good path. My life is now!
So, yes, sure, making an effort to wear more of my clothes will require I make more of an effort to do laundry, and line dry my clothes in my small apartment/flat/condo. But since I like doing laundry (I love water and doing water chores) but I don’t like the inconvenience of not owning my own washer—it’s time for me to change my mindset. I must adjust to the fact that this is my new normal for my beautiful life in a small flat near the ocean.
Although I'm posting this in January, I made the decision to begin a No Buy Year back in November 2023, and once the idea popped into my mind, it felt right to begin right away. I’ve been saddled up and riding into my No Buy Year for a few weeks now, and it feels good. Big smile!
Happier with Less Follow along with me.
