The first quarter of the year has completed, and one of the goals I kept is not buying any clothing, shoes, or accessories for the entire year. And somehow so far I have kept this up! Has it been difficult? Initially, yes. In January, I went to the visiting art exhibit Luna Luna, which was a display of carnival art pieces from the likes of Keith Haring, Salvador Dali, Jean Michel Basquiat. Of course, I wanted something to remember this exhibit by or prove I was there, and what better way to do this than a tee shirt or sweatshirt? But I turned it down. Another time, I went into a clothing store on a rainy day, as I waited for my Tesla to charge. I saw a white tee shirt that simply said the French word for yes “Oui.” I wanted it. I love simple tee shirts to wear for a season that goes with everything, but I knew buying this would be a slippery slope. If I made an excuse to purchase this, I would make an excuse to purchase other things. And I stuck to my goal.
Now it’s cloudy day in April, and as I walked Bella this morning along the seaside before the rain sprinkled, wearing my Dubai hat and an Mtv vintaged style tee shirt from Spain, yoga pants and socks from the UK, and my New Balances from America, I thought I love the clothes I do have. They tell stories about me , where I’ve come from, who I was, and who I am. If I allow myself the space of not adding more to my closet but simply using it, I can find joy in that which already exists in there. It’s a different type of appreciation I didn’t expect. It’s true that when we buy new items of clothing we want to “premiere” them and show them off, but when there are things that are loved that are rotated in and out, it brings a smile to my face.
There are other goals I am shooting to accomplish, but for some reason this one has been prominent and a priority. And it’s tangible. There are values I am living by which include, spending time with my dog Bella, my family, and friends. I’ve been reading more than expected, which includes physical books and audio books. Sharing what is learned, going to conferences that expand my mind. But this small going of not buying clothes or shoes for one year is proving to be more fruitful than imagined. I am not adding anything to my life, or subtracting. I am maintaining, appreciating, and expanding.
It Only Takes A Smile 