I'm just going to let the title of this post sink in for a minute...if you know me at all, you know how much I love to shop, and just how hard this little challenge is going to be for me.  I've been thinking about doing a month of no shopping for a while now, but I kept coming up with excuses.  Show me something I just "have to have" and I can come up with a dozen justifications for why I should buy it.  I just had to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale because honestly, who can resist the upcoming season's fashion on discount?  Not to mention moving into a new space caused us to need some new furniture and maybe just a few decorative items.  See how easy it is?



There are a couple of reasons why I've decided to challenge myself to "No Shop September", with the main one being that my closet is overflowing.  Although I did sort through and get rid of a lot of stuff before the move, Kyle and I now share a closet.  And if I'm going to be completely honest with y'all, I can't even walk into our closet.  Getting dressed and planning outfits is so frustrating because I can't see half of the stuff that I own.  A major closet catharsis is needed.  I also have realized that, while I think I "need" something at the time, I get home and realize that it probably wasn't the best purchase for me to make considering I don't even have a place to store it properly.  And lastly, moving and adjusting to the costs associated with living in a new state is expensive, and my bank account could use a break.

I plan on taking this month of no shopping as an opportunity to unpack my fall clothes, assess what I have, and what I might still need to get ready for winter in a new climate.  I also plan on going through everything I have out for the current season and paring down on it before I pack it away.  My hope is to realize what I really love and wear the most, and get rid of the rest.

So what exactly is my guideline for "No Shop September"?  I will not be buying anything that is not absolutely necessary for Kyle, Pecan and I.  Of course there are things you have to shop for, like groceries and things you need around the house, but for the next 30 days there will be no impulse purchases, buying things simply because their on sale, and purchasing things because they just might not be there next time.   My "wish list" will probably grow to a mile long, but maybe by the end of the month, I'll realize I don't actually need any of that stuff.

I'll be keeping y'all updated along the way, and doing a recap of what I've learned at the end of the month, so stay tuned!  Have you ever done a challenge like this, and if so, what are your thoughts, tips, and tricks?

xo,
Kitty