I just read the excellent NYTimes article on clothing diets – including TGAAD and a hard core “wear the same six items for a month” diet that I’m still trying to wrap my head around. Between work, the kids, the dog, and attempting to keep the house and yard moderately presentable, I would need to burn those six items at the end of the month. Which seems counterproductive. But I digress.
I was prompted to post by a statement that Sally made in the article – of the 150 of us that have signed up, half have quit. I need some clarification here: what does it mean to quit? Falling off the wagon (once, or twice, or more)? Or just saying to hell with it, going shopping, and not looking back?
I have cheated once, on a skirt at a consignment store. I have also purchased one new sweater, in a shade of pink that reminds me of tulips. However, I bought it with a gift card received as a birthday present, which I believe is TGAAD approved. If these two mean that I have quit, I will be blue (I am ridiculously goal-oriented).
I will take some solace from the knowledge that, over the last ten months, this diet has made me happy. Much of this happiness stems from the removal of clothing from the daily list of choices. Not having to deal with them is just so pleasant. I like not being tempted by store windows. I like attending snazzy functions in borrowed clothes (thanks, sister); having done it for both a reunion and an anniversary dinner, I can attest that ”new to me and free” is an excellent combination. Weirdly, I also like the realization that no one really cares what I wear; so long as I am sporting something remotely appropriate, other people aren’t paying attention.
I thought TGAAD would be a drag, a slog, an endurance test. Perhaps I am less fashionable than the rest of you, but I’m kind of digging it. Quitter or no, I’m hopeful that I have the self-discipline to keep the happiness rolling after September 1.
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I really wonder how many have “quit” too because, since I get updates from this blog via Google Reader, it seems like it’s been more successful. I guess, that’s my impression and it could be wrong.
What I’d love to participate in, since I didn’t have the courage to try this challenge out, is challenge based on recycling. Like, no “new” buying for a year. I say that because I love secondhand stores.
And then there would be mini-challenges each month – say, participants have to find a way to recycle jewelry into something cool or a t-shirt or have a swap party with friends.
I guess this sounds like a let’s-be-green-yet-fashionable challenge, but it’s something I try by myself all the time.
Thank you for this blog entry & thank all of you for sharing how this challenge has affected you. I didn’t join up, but I have learned.
I think my statement was a bit misinterpreted. I have not heard from over half of the poeple who have signed up. In other words not everyone blogs so I am not sure who is still officially on the diet. A handful of people have officially written to me that they are throwing in the towel.
Good for you Kristin, Phsyced that you are finding the beauty in this social expxeriment. I am starting to feel really “empowered” by by new found freedom from buying.
Great job with the diet, Kristin! I loved reading this post that sums up your ten months and the change this diet has wrought. I’m inspired to write one of my own…
@Sybil–There is a “buy no new things’ deal that started in San Francisco–they don’t buy ANY new things except food and fuel, I believe.