I only have 21 days left of my one year “No New Clothes” challenge. When I started this challenge on January 1st 2017, a year seemed like an eternity to go without shopping. I really doubted if I could even do it. Shopping when I was bored or “down” was just something I did without even thinking about it. Sort of like a habit. My shopping habit. And while not all habits are bad, some aren’t good either.
We all have habits we want to change or habits we want to develop, but altering our behavior isn’t always easy. Did you know that it takes a minimum of 21 days “for an old mental image to dissolve and a new one to jell”? https://jamesclear.com/new-habit I know the myth of “21 days to form a new habit” has been spread for decades, but it’s been misunderstood. What was originally discovered in the 1950’s by Dr. Maltz is that it takes a MINIMUM of 21 days. Recent studies conducted by psychology researchers have proven that it takes more than two months before a new behavior becomes automatic – 66 days to be exact. So, why am I going on about the time needed to change your habits? Because for most of us, shopping is a habit. It’s behavioral. We do it when we’re upset. We do it when we’re bored. We do it when we can’t change other things in our lives. Taking a year “off” from shopping has changed my behavioral patterns and I know if you can commit to 66 days of not shopping, then maybe your behavior would change too. As my year ticks down and my yearlong challenge comes to an end, I have to start asking myself “What’s next?” Do I just go back to shopping whenever I feel like it or do I use what I’ve learned to encourage others? I don’t think I’ll ever go back to my old shopping habit (I’ve formed a new habit of NOT shopping), but I’m going to have to find the “shopping” pattern that works for me. Here’s what I’m asking: Can you go the first 66 days of 2018 without shopping? Like I’ve said before, I am planning on adding five new pieces to my wardrobe on January 1st but then after that I figured I’d not shop for a while again. I wasn’t sure what kind of time frame that would be, but 66 days (roughly two months) seems like a very attainable goal. Who’s willing to take this 66 Days of No New Clothes Challenge with me in 2018? The 66th day of 2018 is March 7th. Do you think you can challenge yourself until March 7th? Comment below and let me know if you’re in! I’m so grateful to everyone who has followed me all this year and I want to encourage and help you challenge yourself now. If you plan on taking this 66 Day Challenge, then follow me on Instagram or Twitter. I’ll be posting encouragement there and would love to read your comments!
1 Comment
10/17/2022 09:06:09 am
Force only even range. Measure continue Mrs area one.
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AuthorMy name is Misty Day (yeah, that really is my name) and I'm a normal every day person. I'm a twin, I work as an analyst, I take my daughter to Girl Scouts and swim team, I play bass guitar in a band, I love food and wine, I like new clothes, and I'm trying to be a better person. Archives
December 2017
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