A More Intentional Approach to What We Wear: Finding Joy in Less
I’ve always been someone who cares about clothes. I like shopping for new styles, planning a special outfit for an event, talking with friends about what they’re wearing—I love all of it!
But until recently, I’ve never thought about the "why" behind my obsession. After talking with a friend who has the same cravings, we realized that much of our emotional connection to clothes revolved around our lifelong and ongoing struggle around weight and body image. If we were unhappy with our bodies, we bought clothes to cover it up. If we lost weight, we celebrated with a new outfit. Clothes were, literally, covering up what we were focusing on and worrying about.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. I’m trying hard to look at clothing with a new, more intentional perspective. Some of the things I’m thinking about:
All the money I’ll be saving. Every outfit is 100% off if you don’t buy it! Think if you invested that money instead (Looking to learn more about investing? Check out our recent talk with Ange Mathews about The Secrets to Happily Investing Your Money here).
Shopping my closet first. I already have lots of clothes to choose from, so I don’t need something new.
Paying more attention to the emotions behind clothes and shopping. What’s really going on when I feel the urge to buy something new?
Exploring renting rather than buying. You can now rent an outfit or a closet full of clothes, wear as long as you want, then return them and find something new. I’m especially loving Armoire, a fabulous woman-owned business here in Seattle that ships anywhere. Check out this link for a special: up to 50% off your first month + 2 bonus pieces.
Thinking of the environmental impact behind each piece in my closet. It’s not just a wool sweater: it’s a farmer who raises the sheep, a worker who weaves it, a buyer who selects it, a driver who delivers it, etc.
Remembering textile waste. Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tons end up in landfills!
I’m probably never going to be a minimalist, but I’m trying hard to be a “less-alist.” I’ve been inspired by one of our speakers, Shira Gill, who has some great ideas on how we can be happy with less.
To an intentional year,
Joanie Parsons
Founder/Adventurist of RevelEleven