how to avoid impulse purchases no.2

the how to guides

Photo credit: Cam Morin Unsplash

getting Clarity

I often talk to my clients, and have written many times, about clarity. Knowing what you have and therefore identifying any gaps or things that you need, will mean that you can make a simple ‘shopping’ list and stick to it. However, this doesn’t always mean that you won’t be tempted to grab something unexpected. Whether you are following a plan, or are having an impulse moment, if you have a clear idea of what you own, and, for example, if you are sure of the shade of the blue trousers you own, you are more likely to find that the new jumper will fit in with your existing clothes.

If you are creative in your choices, you will also find that your wardrobe becomes much more than the sum of its individual parts. The more you experiment and see what new ideas and combinations you can discover, the more it will become an enjoyable experience rather than a chore.

You can get more clarity in many ways. You can have a general declutter and only keep things that you really love and that work well together. You might be someone who has a seasonal sort out, when you bring out your clothes for the coming few months and store the unseasonal items. Either way, you will then be able to familiarise yourself with what you have, and any gaps there might be.

Perhaps while you do this you could be really organised and have a running list of things you have noticed that might need to be repaired, replaced or that might be a great addition to your collection, but lets not run before we can walk! The initial aim of curtailing unwanted and unneeded purchases is something that you can build on at your own pace.

Being clear about what works for you when you are looking to find clarity around your image is a completely individual experience. My personal favourite methods both involve a bit of imagination, one is fun and I think that the other is very effective. So if you are in a quandary about any particular outfit, a fun way to think about your image, and how you feel in the clothes and your grooming, is by asking yourself would you be happy meeting your ‘hero’ as you appear now, or perhaps your boss, or your ex?

A more inspired process that might resonate more with you is to wonder whether your ‘future self’ would be wearing your current outfit? Is this the self-image you might want to portray in 6 months or a years time? You don’t need to get into an analysis-paralysis situation while you consider these ideas, but perhaps keep these thoughts in mind if you’re not sure about your desired image in any particular outfit.

Many people think that acquiring something new or different will be the answer to their style or image dilemmas. But without having a degree of clarity, you can repeat mistakes, repeat successes unnecessarily and lo and behold, you suddenly make that random purchase.

When you think about your image, if you know what you have, and can identify what you want to look and feel like, that clarity will help to avoid impulse buys. As everything starts with knowing what you already own, take some time to explore your wardrobe and see what works for you now, and perhaps for your future image. Curating your possessions so you only have what you love, certainly makes life simple.

It might seem like the initial effort will take some time, but you will very quickly get a better understanding of what you have and what you need. If you can avoid those impulse purchases that don’t work with the rest of your wardrobe, you can really build confidence in your future choices and image.

Continuing in No.3…

All rights reserved. Milly Churchill asserts the right to be identified as the author of this work.