Just like your eating habits, your approach to shopping is something you’ve been cultivating your whole life. That’s why changing it takes effort and introspection, but it can be done!
Since my goal is to have a closet full of pieces I truly love, I’ve trained myself to spend wisely by prioritizing items that make a big impact on my wardrobe. And it’s okay to have gaps in my closet rather than rushing to fill them with things I don’t actually need. Most importantly, I’ve learned not to waste money on random purchases just because I’m stressed, sad, bored, or simply indulging myself. Shopping is an easy way to trigger dopamine in our brain’s reward system, but I’ve replaced that habit with other activities that fulfill me without cluttering my wardrobe.
Now, I live by my own rule: “If it’s on sale but you don’t need it, it’s expensive.” There’s nothing wrong with feeling extra satisfaction when you score a piece you actually love at a discount, but the discount shouldn’t be the reason for buying. As we all know, discount marketing works so well because it taps into our fear of scarcity, triggering the instinct to hoard things we don’t even need.
Rebuilding with Intention
I now shop at a snail’s pace, prioritizing quality over quantity. I’ve also discovered that I value authenticity over trends and don’t always follow fashion rules. One of the biggest mistakes I made in the past was forcing myself to wear pieces I didn’t truly love just to fit into a specific fashion typology. In the end, the most important lesson I’ve learned is that your style only needs to make sense to you and not to anyone else.
A curated wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey of myself discovery and mindful choices. By owning less but better pieces, I no longer struggle with deciding what to wear for each time. It has also freed up my mental space, giving me more room for activities that add value to my life, rather than wasting hours searching for an outfit in a cluttered closet. My quality of life has also improved significantly. When you let go of the old, you create space for a more confident and intentional version of yourself.Reader
Sometimes I wonder, if I ever met that birthday girl again, I would be proud to tell her that I’m now a good dresser with my dream closet ( I’m not there yet, but I’m on my way.) I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm. Kids are brutally honest and not afraid to speak their minds. In fact, the story has become my go-to funny answer whenever someone asks me about my passion for fashion.
I hope my story can inspire anyone who is facing same challenges and is on their journey to finding their own fashion style. You will discover it in your unique way, as we are all unique in our own way.