No Clothing Challenge

Please note.  I don't feel like this accurately portrays my problem. It's just a glimpse. 

Let me be clear.  I am not naked as I write this. Nor do I plan on becoming so in the immediate future as the title of this post suggests.  There are no nudist colonies in my future. But I'm proposing a challenge to myself and to anyone else that wants to join me in a "no clothing challenge."  A no "new" clothing challenge.  Clothes are my vice.  Like really my vice.  Some people collect tech gadgets and are in line at five a.m. two weeks before the new iPad comes out, some people collect jewelry, some people have toys like boats and jet skis and expensive bikes.  I collect clothes. And I'm not picky.  I'd like to have a dress from Target as much as a dress from BCBG.  Heck....if I see something cute at the grocery store I can work it into our food budget.

Ruche.com is a horrible website for me to know about.......it's criminal how easy it is for me to just, whoops, I bought a shirt.  Or I wander over to ModCloth's sale section and find something that I don't have and I probably for sure need--and that's it--once I get this one thing my winter clothing selection will be complete.  And it doesn't stop with me.  I also love to buy clothes for Georgia.  It's just so easy.  Cute tights at Target?  Check.  A vintage inspired t-shirt on Etsy?  Check. Crewcuts clearance pants?  Check. Do you ever wonder who actually clicks on the Facebook sidebar ads because they see a pair of shoes?  I do.

It's so stupid.  Really.  And you know stupid it is?  I'm even tempted to buy cool work out clothes.  I DON'T work out.  And for the few times a month year I get a hankering to do it, I've got plenty of them to meet those needs.

In fact, in addition to a (big) closet full of clothes,  I have three full wardrobe boxes in my basement that I haven't unpacked since our move two months ago.  To make myself feel better for one moment I'll also state for the record, that I don't really get rid of clothes, so some of what I'm talking about is over ten years old.  But still.

Therefore, I've decided to challenge myself to no new clothes until my daughter turns four at the end of March.  I know--I could go longer--lots of people do.  But I don't want to sabotage this challenge before I even start.  And when I say no new clothes--I mean it.  Not for me.  Not for Georgia.  Chris is exempt--he's much more reasonable to begin with, so if he needs a new work shirt, he deserves it.

I read about someone else doing a "no clothing challenge" and they committed to no new clothes, except essentials, until March?  What are essentials that you don't already have that you wouldn't be able to make it without until March?  I'm good on underwear, socks, shoes, and coats.  I mean really?  I suppose if I got invited to a White House dinner for mid-February I'd need to go get a new dress--that would be an essential.....but I'm confused as to the other.  (And for the record Michelle O'Bama--I am fairly open mid-February......867.5309.....call me.)

This is seriously going to put a cramp on my Target trips.  Because Target?  Target is enemy #1 when it comes to new clothes.  I'm like a moth to a flame when I see those Mossimo cardigans in every color on sale for $8, or their guest designer collections, or when their maxi dresses start showing up for spring break, or when I see their shoes................gotta stop.

Anyone with me here?  Anyone? And even if it's not clothes for you....what could be your "no __________ challenge"?

I think personal challenges like this are good.  Sure, in the grand scheme of world events they are trite and pie-in-the-sky and fairly inconsequential. But they are good for you personally because they help to curb a habit that isn't a great one.  And when you curb one bad habit, others will follow.  Hopefully.

So here I go.  Keep me in check.