Cleanse: To free from dirt, defilement, or guilt; purge or clean.

I’m going to get a bit more personal in this post, which I hope is okay with you all. I want this space to be more than pleats, instagrams, and #ootds after all. I am admittedly a lover of style, and with that shopping. I like browsing stores or scrolling through my favorite online spots. Above all, I love when a great deal and some dreamy new item coincide into some physical form in my closet. There is nothing wrong with shopping in itself. I’ve just become more aware of how I use shopping as a distraction from a true emotion, rather than addressing it. Plus, I’m owning up to making more financially minded decisions.

To start off 2015, a friend and I decided to agree to a shopping cleanse. No shopping until March 1st, which evened out to about 2 months without any new clothing, shoes, or accessories. This does not sound like a long time, but I have to be honest and say that it has already been a true challenge! The personal gain is based on practice and discipline. I want to focus on developing traits and habits that I can be proud of, and responsible choices that are beneficial in the end.

If you’re thinking about doing a similar challenge, here are a few of my guidelines:

Stop yourself before a credit card comes out. I’m still guilty of browsing websites when I have down time, but to help myself, I unsubscribed from the majority of retailers daily emails which removes the temptation from my mind, and has really slimmed down my inbox! Having a friend to do the challenge with can also help when you need a like-minded companion, or someone to talk you off a ledge.

Ask yourself why. If you’re dreaming about a new bag or shoes, get to the root reason. So often the truth is distorted and our perception of the solution doesn’t reflect the actual cause. For me, the majority of times I’m tempted to shop do not come from a place of need. I do not need another pair of jeans, I have 10 already. Could it be anxiety or stress? Are you lonely, or feeling insecure? Prob deeper and solve your problem without tapping your finances.

Don’t wear all your money. I sometimes abide by the mindset of “liking my money to be wearable,” but I’m also discovering the value of saving. For each time I’m tempted to buy a new item, I plan to save that money for other goals I have. Maybe you want to invest in stocks, put money aside for a trip, or build up a emergency fund. Remember that spreading your funds will provide a fuller life than a closet full of clothes.

I’m excited to complete this challenge and look for other areas in my life to cleanse! Would anyone else want to join in this journey?

Just a note that Steeped in Style will still cover style inspiration, beauty products, and outfit posts in the meantime; creative solutions aren’t based on the amount on money you can spend, but on the intuition you listen to! Thanks for your continued support. xo