Simplify - No Shop Summer

Remember at the beginning of this year I stated that my word for 2014 was "simplify"?  I haven't been doing too well on that front lately.  My shopping/spending has been a little out of control - even with all the thrifting I do - the problem is just that.  I do a lot of it.  It's hard for me to admit it out loud, I just shop too darn much.

Part of my problem is, I am very much an emotional shopper - if I'm having a bad day, it's so easy to just pop online or stop at the thrift store on the way to my parents or something of that nature.  And while it's gotten easier - I still miss my baby a ton when I'm at work, so sometimes my shopping is a way of coping with that.  It's hard to not be tempted by online goodies from Zulily, Amazon, Old Navy, ThreadUp, etc.

I have been thinking a lot lately about a number of things and then I saw someone on Instagram announcing they were going to do a "No Shop Summer."  I pondered this concept for myself.  I have done month long shopping bans before.  I've done Lenten shopping bans before (giving it up for Lent - 40 days).  I've never done it for this long.  The more I thought about it though, the more I realized, I really want to challenge myself to do this.  It will help me get my "simplify" goals back on track - and it may help me achieve an even bigger goal - working into a more favorable work situation to spend more time with Ollie (and if I can do that, then the whole "emotional" shopping thing would get better too).

So, starting today through August 31st, I am not shopping for myself.  No clothes, no accessories, no purses, no makeup/bath and body.  The only exceptions will be two gift cards I have to spend on myself - but gift cards do not count as they were bought as gifts for me, they weren't my own money.  I will likely save these gift cards for a rainy day when I really need them.

You may be wondering about my Stitch Fix subscription - while that was a ton of fun, I am going to put it on hold for now.  I had scheduled my next fix for July, but I am going to put it off for a bit - maybe permanently, maybe not.  For now I don't need the temptation and I won't be charged on it until I get another fix sent to me.

I'm also not counting activities in this ban - I will want to get out and experience things with Mr. Monkey and Oliver this summer, so if there are costs involved in those types of things, so be it.  I'm just truly stopping myself from shopping for anymore clothing related things for the most part and instead shopping my own closet.  This might not be too bad overall - I have a number of things I wasn't able to wear last year when I was pregnant that I will be able to pull out for the first time in a couple of years now, so that should make them almost like new again!

Is it going to be hard?  You betcha.  But I'm going to keep my eyes on the prize - this sweet boy right here is everything to me and I would give anything to have even a few more hours in the week with him - so he's my main motivation.  I'm hoping that you all will help keep me accountable too!  So here we go.