The Shop-Not Chronicles

When I concluded my recent series on Richard Stearns' book The Hole in Our Gospel, I felt convicted to "do something" to address global poverty and the terrible disparity of wealth around the world. The problem was, I didn't know exactly what the "something" was. I can't hop on a plane and dedicate weeks or months to serving overseas (or perhaps I should simply say I'm not willing to do that). I also don't have a lot of disposable income to funnel toward non-profits that work in impoverished places around the world.

I did realize what I do have, though: I have enough. Enough clothes, shoes, jackets, purses, jewelry, makeup and accessories. Frankly, I have far more than enough.

So much, in fact, that my eight-year-old son has noticed. As we browsed through the shoe section at Kohl's a couple of weeks ago, I mused aloud about purchasing a slanky pair of black heels to wear to a friend's wedding. Noah overhead. "ANOTHER pair of shoes?" he gasped. "You need another pair of shoes? Why don't you wear one of the pairs hanging on the back of your door?"

You've seen the shoe rack on the back of my bedroom door, right? I've shown you my summer shoe collection, haven't I? 

Suffice to say I didn't buy another pair of shoes. But only because my son guilted me into making the right choice.

I did, though, make one decision on my own that day in Kohl's. I decided what my "do something" action would be.

For one year – September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2011– I will purchase nothing to supplement my wardrobe. No shoes, no clothes, no jackets or coats, no underwear, no jewelry, no purses, no bags, no pajamas, no hair accessories, no makeup (Unless, of course, my blush crashes into 48 shards on the bathroom floor. If that happens I will drive to Walgreens and purchase a Cover Girl blush for $4.99. Not the Sephora brand I currently own, mind you. But a girl of Irish-French-English heritage must have blush in the dead of a Nebraska winter, lest she bear a striking resemblance to Night of the Living Dead).

At the end of the year the money I save (and it won't be a ton – my monthly personal allowance is $100 and that money supports socializing, too, which – let it be said – I'm not giving up), I will donate to a non-profit organization that supports global missions. I will also ask friends and relatives who may consider buying a gift for me for Christmas or my birthday to make a donation to a charity of their choice. If they insist on giving me money, I will add it to the charity stash. If they give me a gift, I will donate it to the Goodwill (did you catch that, Mom?).

Now. Before you go thinking this is a lamebrain idea, and how hard could it possibly be, and can't she do something more dramatic, let me say this. I love to shop.

I. Love. To. Shop.

I love to shop like Paris Hilton loves to shop.

I love to shop like Coco Chanel loved to shop.

I love to shop because it’s socializing and therapy and a fairly harmless vice all wrapped into one gorgeous package and tied with a glitzy silver bow.

I love to shop because I'm vain and because I like to look good, and because I like to keep up with the trends, and because I paw through In Style magazine every month and yes, because I like to look like perhaps I am a year or two (or five) years younger than 40.

I love to shop because I relish the experience of a co-worker or a friend exclaiming, "Ooooh, that is the cutest skirt! Where did you get that?"

I don't even require extravagant shopping. I'm just as happy – dare I say happier? – to shop in the local thrift store than I am browsing the racks at Banana Republic. I still remember the day two years ago when I came home from the Catholic Charities thrift store in town with an apple-green Gap skirt with white polka dots. I bought it for $3, and I practically did cartwheels across the living room when I showed it to Brad (he's quite used to this spectacle, by the way).

So although it might seem shallow and a little bit pathetic, not shopping for 365 consecutive days will be a serious challenge for me. Honestly, I'm a little bit excited about it...and a little bit sick.

And just so you know, the reason I am announcing my plan here today is not to receive kudos and pats on the back, but so YOU will hold me accountable. That's right. Ask me how the Shop-Not Plan is going. Ask me if I'm cheating.

I am weak. I need to be held to task. You will keep me honest.

From time to time I'll blog about the challenges of not shopping – or perhaps the unexpected benefits (although I can't possibly imagine what those might be), but even if I'm not blogging about it, ask how the Shop-Not Plan fares. I promise I'll be honest.

I'm happy to have you along for the ride. Welcome to the Shop-Not Chronicles. Day One. 364 more to go.

* Full Disclosure: I will make one more necessary purchase this fall: a pair of brown boots. The Aerosoles pair I owned for the last four years literally fell apart at the seams, and at the end of the season last year I threw them out! I deeply regret this. But since they were an absolute staple of my wardrobe (think Nebraska winters), I will purchase another pair (but I will try to find them on sale!).

This week Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience asks us to write about how how we care for the least of these. I don't know if the Shop-Not Plan counts, but it's what I am doing today and for 364 more days to come. 

Have you ever concocted a crazy plan like this? Did you succeed or fail? Or what have you done to care for the least of these lately?