I’m an Obsessive Shopper – Here’s What Happened When I Quit For a Month

I used to spend countless hours browsing online and shopping in-store because I always felt like I had nothing to wear. Whether I was searching for a specific event or changing my wardrobe in between seasons, everything in my closet always felt stale. Not shopping for a month really forced me to look at my wardrobe in a new light, making me think outside the box when it comes to styling pieces I wear on a regular basis.

I learned the art of purging as well. When I came across items in my closet that I often pass up, I had to force myself to either style them or finally let them go. Some of my favorite outfits came from putting a bit more thought into my unworn pieces and giving them more attention.

The worst part about cleaning out my closet was how many items I found from fast-fashion brands that I wore only a couple times, if any. I even found several pieces with the tags still on.

By not running to my nearest Zara every time I had the slightest life crisis, I ended up saving more money to invest in pieces that have now become my go-to staples, including my favorite Parke jeans. Founder and designer Chelsea Kramer created Parke with a vision of sustainability and comfort with a trend-conscious spin.

I can confidently say these jeans are now my most-worn pair. Even if they’re more expensive than the denim you find at your average fast-fashion store, you actually save more money in the long run because the jeans last longer.

While I have started shopping again, the habits I developed over those 30 days definitely made a difference. Mindful consumption doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, a closet full of your favorite quality pieces presents more styling and saving opportunities than I could’ve ever imagined.