My Secondhand Year

First, I just wanted to acknowledge your incredible response to my first post. From the sound of it, this topic really resonates, and I really appreciate all the comments and statements of solidarity. It’s funny because I’ve been writing a “healthy family dinner” food blog* for over a decade, and it’s never received as many likes or comments as this has. I’m sure there’s something sociological to say about that, but I don’t know what it is. Regardless, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in my proverbial (and sartorial) wanderings.

Anyway! You asked a lot of questions about what exactly is included (and excluded) from my shopping ban, and also about things like thrifting, online consignment, and using store credit. I also got quite a few suggestions for loopholes. I gotta say, right now they seem funny, but I’m sure in about May (or probably sooner), I’ll be rationalizing all kinds of ridiculous workarounds, so thanks for those!

So, it’s now time to clarify my “rules” (which of course are just that — my rules. Everyone has different issues around this stuff, so these might not necessarily work for you).

The Rules

• First and obviously foremost, no purchasing anything new for myself — either online or in stores — in the following categories: clothing, shoes, boots, sandals/flip-flops, coats, accessories (hats, gloves, scarves, belts), purses/handbags, jewelry, athletic and workout gear/clothes (backpacks, sports bras, ski goggles), swimsuits. No exceptions because something is on mega sale or about to sell out or is the perfect, be-all-end-all pair of black pants.
• No purchasing toiletries, skincare products, haircare products, or cosmetics unless I am COMPLETELY out (ie: I’m gonna have to use up all the half-empty bottles of shampoo and random lotions and serums that I bought to keep me from experiencing utter despair during all those pandemic zoom meetings and that are now cluttering my bathroom.)
• Purchasing something that I actually need is OK, as long as it’s not in one of the categories listed above — I know I don’t need any of those. As I mentioned in my last post, the concept of “need” is tricky and obviously left up to interpretation, but I believe we all know what the spirit of it is for these purposes. A couple examples: I will maybe buy a new yoga mat because I’m going on a yoga retreat next month and don’t currently own a mat. If I literally notice one day that all of my underwear, bras, or socks are trashed, I’d buy the one or two. Same thing if I got an actual hole in my tennis shoes, hiking boots, or running sneakers — I don’t see that happening though.
• Now’s where the title of this blog comes into play: If I do find myself with a “need” for something on the no-buy list (like in my friend’s example of needing a dress for an event), I can buy something secondhand — or, even better, rent or borrow. The one stipulation is, if I want to buy something at my local consignment shop or on Poshmark, I have to use credit from selling stuff in order to do it. If it’s a place where I don’t have credit (like Goodwill), then the one-in-one-out rule definitely applies (or maybe I should make it one-in-two-out…?). And while buying things on Poshmark (with store credit) is OK, if I find myself wasting time on that online rabbit hole, I might need to cut it off.
• Quit Amazon (except for audio and kindle books). That guy Bezos doesn’t need any more of my money.
• Some other categories I’ve been toying with adding to the no-buy list are: nonperishable foods (I need to purge the “pandemic pantry” almost as much as my closet), candles (love ’em but have so many), books (same), beauty “tools” (unless my hair dryer dies, I’m all set), office supplies (basically just more desk clutter), home items such as towels and sheets. Other than nonperishable food (and the occasional cute notebook), I don’t really impulse buy any of these things, so I’m not formally including them at this time. That being said, I can totally see myself procrastinating on a work project by browsing new bedding online. If that starts to happen, I’ll ban these too.
• One exception (loophole) I’ve got to come clean on: The holidays just happened and I still have a few returns/exchanges to do. I’m thinking I might exchange the items for gift cards, which I could then use at some point in the next 12 months if I get actually desperate (I’m thinking new swimsuit for spring break). So exchanges and gift cards are OK. And gifts of course 🙂
• And I think I’ll make an exception for buying locally handmade things (in local shops) when I’m on trips. If I’m fortunate enough to be somewhere far away (preferably warm) and see something beautiful that I can buy directly from the artisan or craftsman — something I would never see again and that will remind me of this fabulous place and time — I just might go for it. I’m thinking of what Marie Kondo says — that something has to “spark joy” in order to obtain or keep it — which (in addition to all the other criteria I just mentioned: local, handmade, from artisan) is a tall enough order that I can’t see this becoming an issue in my daily life. If it does, well you can bet I won’t be writing a blog to moan about my closet in Denver.

Is there anything you can think of that I left off this list? Please let me know!

*Oh and my other blog is reallifedelicious.com in case you happen to also be interested in “healthyish” recipes and commentary on food and family — and how to bring those two things together more often.