Has It Been a Year Already?

I started a journey 1 year ago. On June 15 2012 I was driving home from the city and I was kind of in a panic. And it startled me what I was in a panic about. I had bought what was on my list ( which was some stuff for my kids and teacher stuff). I was upset that I hand't bought anything for myself. I  mean, I hadn't forgot something on my list that I needed. I guess I felt left out. I scolded myself. I thought, man are you ever ungrateful. I mean I have full closet of clothes. Clothes stashed in rubbermaids that I haven't worn in years and I feel left out?!? I thought about it for a while. I am beyond blessed in so many ways: family, friends, a home, a husband with a great job, a closet full of stuff. How could I feel this way? I knew I needed to change my thinking. So right then and there I decided to not shop. I thought 3 months should be good. At least I would be "done" by when the fall stuff came out. Well that thought made me even more mad at myself. That's when I decided I would not shop for 1 whole year for myself ( I mean I still needed to shop for my kids or they would be wearing flood pants and have toes coming out their shoes in 2 months). So here was my declaration:

I will not shop for myself for 1 whole year! No Clothes, jewelry, purses…and shoes!

My point was to be thankful for what I have. So my only exception was if I was given a gift card or money for my Birthday or Christmas. Because I am thankful for that someone who thought about me in that way, and be thankful for that person in my life.

By this point I was talking out loud in my car. I said if I don't tell anyone and if I slip up no one will know except myself. Nope that was not the point. I need to tell Trevor, I need to tell my close friends and family. I want to held accountable.

I even had some pretty big temptations. One was a trip to Calgary with friends to the big mall there. I came home with a shirt for Trevor and shirt for my daughter. Then was our trip to Florida, I had birthday money and gift cards to spend. But I was way more picky than I normally would be. 

So what have I learned in a year? Discernment. I ask myself, "Do I really need it?". Do my kids really need another cute t shirt? Do they really need another pair of shoes? I don't feel the need to get myself something just for the sake of getting something. I still like to shop, I still like to look for good deals. But  when I come home, I feel satisfied…Blessed.

Here I am, 1 year later feeling a little wobbly actually. I liked having the crutch telling people, " sorry I am not shopping for a year". I do feel more confident in making better decisions. I have loved having pinterest because I discovered some items in my closet that I could re-vamp, which I did to a pair of jeans I never wore and now I wear  a lot now and to 2 maxi dresses I turned into maxi skirts which I a wore lots in Florida and expect to this summer. I found new ways to have "New" stuff in my closet.