NBC News BETTER Feature Story

What started as an article on Medium I published a month ago about how to live stylishly and minimally—and thus, more sustainably and conscientiously—led to a message from NBC News BETTER journalist Julie Compton.

Would I be willing to be interviewed?

Ummmm…YES!

Shortly thereafter, a feature story about my journey toward a better attitude about shopping was published.

Julie focused on the financial and economic benefits of a minimalist style, whereas I have primarily emphasized the environmental pros, about which I am very passionate. Quality over quantity, buy and resell, buy second-hand in the first place, etc.

The transformation overall, from spending hundreds every month on clothes to more carefully scrutinizing every purchase, was made out of necessity. It simply wasn’t feasible to continue in the same manner.

But, I’m thrilled with the results and feel like a wiser consumer for having gone through the process.

Perhaps the most important lesson is that life continued unchanged even after I sold or gave away the bulk of my wardrobe. No one noticed that I was wearing the same few pairs of pants and same shirts on a weekly basis.

I realized that no purchase defines me or makes me deeply happy. There is always an initial high followed by the same old problems and insecurities.

I still pine for new things, beautiful things, and feel that tingle to jump on sales, but I also know that there will always be beautiful things, always be sales and discounts and steals. Barneys will continue to plug along, whether I stop in and impulsively buy a bottle of perfume or not.

Many thanks to Julie Compton at NBC News BETTER and all who’ve shared/commented online already.