Word: It is a visitor put up from Julia Ubbenga of Rich in What Matters.
On a grey morning final month, I stepped out of my bed room, dressed and prepared for the day.
“Mother, why do you will have that once more?” Requested my four-year-old daughter between bites of breakfast cereal.
Have what? I puzzled.
Scanning my empty fingers, my eyes landed on my yellow, graphic “Hi there Sunshine” tee. She’s speaking about my outfit, I spotted. I’d worn the shirt the day earlier than yesterday, nevertheless it was clear once more, so on it went.
She’s noticing my tendency to repeat garments, I assumed.
“Do you imply, why am I carrying this shirt once more?” I requested, to make certain.
“You could have it on once more since you need the clouds to go away right now?” She mentioned thoughtfully.
I smiled. Whereas I hadn’t been that intentional and chosen my outfit in an try affect the climate that day, dwelling a minimalist lifestyle has unearthed an excessive intentionality round my wardrobe.
Why?
As a result of proudly owning a repeatable, sustainable wardrobe that displays your private model is among the strongest methods to simplify your life.
In 1930, the typical American girl owned 9 outfits. At the moment, that determine is 30 outfits—one for on daily basis of the month.
Earlier than minimalism, I lived the “extra outfits the higher” mindset. In highschool, I documented clothes pairings every day in order to not put on the identical factor twice in the identical month. In my first job out of faculty, I’d rummage via my roommates’ closets usually, making an attempt to piece collectively a “new” outfit earlier than sliding into my cubicle.
Lastly, I discovered this outfit preoccupation made life extra sophisticated. Actually, many individuals are realizing the advantages of changing into outfit repeaters.
Listed below are 10 causes I really like carrying the identical issues usually (and suppose you’d too):
1. Elevated presence
Clothes can contribute to psychological muddle. You resolve to put on one thing, however two hours later you’re caught wishing you’d worn one thing completely different. Perhaps it’s confirmed to be uncomfortable. Or, turns outs, it wasn’t an awesome match for the event. That inside voice can nag you all through the day, stealing your peace and presence.
Simplifying my wardrobe and carrying solely what I really like has been mentally liberating. I don’t get caught questioning if I wore the best factor or wishing I’d worn one thing completely different. I put on what I really like. Daily. And I’m extra current for it.
2. Get monetary savings
The typical particular person spends round $160 per month on garments, which is almost $2,000 a 12 months. Many of those purchases land in already full closets and are not often worn.
In penning this, I spotted I’ve purchased 4 new clothes gadgets this previous 12 months, two of which had been wanted maternity shirts. Minimalist dwelling has proven me I don’t must chase the newest development to be ok with myself. Looking for garments is not a pastime, which saves me cash.
3. Much less determination fatigue
We make a median of 35,000 decisions a day. Our mind’s every day decision-making power is finite, which means the extra selections we make, the tougher it turns into to make one other one.
Carrying the identical factor repeatedly saves your decision-making energy. I’ve discovered my thoughts is sharper all through the day when it’s not slowed down within the morning making an attempt to resolve what to put on.
4. Much less comparability
Getting caught up in comparison is a assured option to drain your pleasure. When you’re distracted by different folks’s outfits, wishing your wardrobe resembled theirs, you’re lacking out by yourself life. Buying one other pair of footwear isn’t going to make you cheerful (properly, possibly briefly, till you see one other pair you want you had… and the cycle of discontentment continues).
Earlier than minimalism, I’d see different folks’s outfits and work to copy them. I assumed I wanted sure items of clothes to slot in (like these fake leather-based footwear I purchased earlier than transferring to Spain as a result of I assumed they’d make me look extra European. Or the over-priced heels I purchased—and fortunately returned—earlier than my brother’s marriage ceremony as a result of I assumed they’d assist me match into the L.A. crowd).
Now, I’m assured in my personal style and completely satisfied to put on my outfits again and again. I’ve discovered I can nonetheless admire another person’s model, however don’t have any need to personal garments like them myself.
5. Extra self-confidence
What you put on initiatives a message to the world about what you consider your self. Whenever you put on what you like and really feel greatest in, you radiate extra confidence. Why not do that on daily basis?
I’ve realized what outfits make me really feel assured and most authentically myself and which of them don’t. I put on the keepers usually. And the remainder, I let go.
6. Simplified laundry routine (much less clothes muddle)
When you will have only a few favorite outfits you wear regularly, you’re extra motivated to look after them. You don’t allow them to pile up within the hamper for every week—you want them ahead of that! This motivates you to remain on high of laundry so that you’ll at all times have your favourite outfits able to go.
Earlier than minimalism, I’d put on one thing and throw it within the hamper till I bought round to washing it. Typically I’d even overlook I owned it! Piles of soiled laundry created muddle piles all through our house.
Now I do know the place garments are always—hanging in my closet or within the washer (we don’t use a hamper). Our laundry routine has been greatly simplified by proudly owning fewer, extra cherished outfits. And spending much less time on laundry means extra time spent on different, extra pleasant, issues.
7. Assist the atmosphere
North People ship 12 million tons of clothing to landfills yearly, 95 p.c of which may have been reused or recycled. Due to quick style, we now view garments as disposable.
Shopping for outfits with longevity and repeatability in thoughts is sweet for the atmosphere. Whenever you put on the identical factor usually, you do that. Constructing a extra sustainable wardrobe doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution. My favourite place to buy is a Savers thrift retailer in a well-off space of our metropolis the place I discover high quality items for half the worth.
8. You’re feeling higher
A visit to your closet can considerably affect how you’re feeling. Seeing garments you want you match into can set off frustration. Proudly owning garments with the worth tags nonetheless connected can set off guilt. Seeing garments inherited from a cherished one who has handed away can set off unhappiness.
I choose to really feel completely satisfied once I peer into my closet every morning. Proudly owning solely repeatable outfits that I really like does this and may set a optimistic tone for the day.
9. Extra reminders of how little it’s essential to be completely satisfied
Proudly owning a repeatable, small wardrobe continually sends you the message that contentment will be present in much less. A look at your curated closet prompts ideas like: “I would like a lot lower than I assumed I did to be completely satisfied.”
I’m a lot much less probably to purchase on impulse or waste time scrolling searching for my subsequent buy when these ideas infiltrate my thoughts each morning. My sense of gratitude additionally will increase the extra I bear in mind life really is best with much less.
10. Extra self-love
Whenever you’re within the behavior of carrying repeatable outfits you like, you’re within the behavior of seeing, accepting and supporting your self precisely as you might be.
Within the phrases of Mel Robbins, “Holding garments in sizes that don’t fit your needs will not be a type of motivation. It causes stress, nervousness, and triggers detrimental self-talk, all which makes you’re feeling much less motivated and it makes it inconceivable to like and settle for your physique as you might be.”
In my expertise, eradicating clothes gadgets just like the “purpose gown” or pair of denims I haven’t match into in 10 years additionally removes the “I ought to be completely different” message. Repeatable outfits assist who you might be right now, which is the model of you the world wants most.
An unknown quote I really like goes like this:
“It’s okay to… repeat garments, not improve your cellphone, purchase second-hand gadgets, stay in a easy house. It’s okay to stay a easy life.”
If life feels sophisticated, contemplate your wardrobe. May proudly owning a repeatable wardrobe that displays your private model create a ripple impact of simplicity all through your life? In my expertise, it completely can.
Why not give it a strive?
It’s greater than okay to turn out to be an outfit repeater.
Your life will turn out to be easier and extra significant for it.
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Julia Ubbenga is a contract journalist and mother of 4 who paperwork her household’s journey into minimalism on her weblog, Rich in What Matters. Her teachings on simplicity and intentional dwelling assist others stay a extra significant life with much less stuff. You could find her on Instagram or try her free decluttering guide.
