One Dress Protest is me, Kristy Powell, wearing one dress for one year in order to protest the ideas and motivations behind how and why I wear my clothes. Over the year I aim to challenge the ways identity is constructed through clothing, what sustainability means for consumption, how our perception of others is so often based on external presentation, and what “fashion” ultimately means for me going forward.
{day 162}
What I Didn’t Anticipate
Lately as I’ve answered the “How’s your dress thing going?” question, I’ve found myself amused with the way I feel upon being asked. I start grinning, though I try to hide it. The truth is that I’ve simply grown more comfortable with my response, and I can’t help but be giddy at the changes occurring within me, most of which I did not anticipate.
If you had asked me two years ago what I wanted to fill my leisure time up with, I would have probably replied by saying, “Serious window shopping, a little actual shopping, and eating dinner out.” If you had asked me the same question one year ago, I would have likely been a little frustrated because I didn’t know what to say beyond, “Go out to eat.” My free-time activities, at least one year ago, were few and far between. This was largely due to three reasons: (1) a lack of time apart from work, (2) our attempts to save a little money, and (3) my acknowledged frustration with finding fun, healthy ways to occupy my time apart from buying more stuff.
I didn’t feel completely dull until I gained some awareness, followed by frustration, about my role as a consumer. Only then did I feel dull since I couldn’t see any alternatives to living the life that has always been sold to me.
So began the stage I’m calling “without.” I was without new stuff, without a frequent hobby, without the energy I got from the excitement of being in a mall, without the highs of new purchases, without a lot of stuff that made me—what I thought was—truly happy.
I was, of course, intentionally opting into this phase of “without,” but I still felt dull. The thought of going for a walk, for a bike ride, for a hike, etc.* did not factor into my worldview. Such activities, I thought, were not adequate substitutes for the enjoyment I got out of shopping. Thinking back, my step away from my normal consumer habits was a bit like going through puberty: I was clearly taller and a bit fuller, but I didn’t know what to do with my new self. It just was; I was just there, albeit full of conviction.
The thing is, I didn’t like being bored (who does?!). Frustrated, I decided to outfit myself with one dress every day for a year in order to protest the lifestyle that had me enraptured with consumption for so long, as well as the emptiness it left when I said, “No more.”
Yet what I didn’t anticipate, to get to the point of this post, was the radical ways this would change things for me. It turns out that after just 150ish days I feel like a different person on a number of levels. Rather than share my ideological convictions, like I’m prone to doing on here from time to time, I’ve decided to share some of the more practical, experiential changes that have gone so far to bring more energy and well-being to my once-tired and empty-feeling life.
My ODP has allowed me to feel liberated to take action on important issues, whereas in the past I probably would have done nothing. For instance, last month I decided to not use any disposable cups for the entire month (meaning no Starbucks, no Claire’s, no anywhere unless I had my own contained). Prior to deciding to do this, I thought it was incredibly inane to place such parameters on your lifestyle. I am a coffee drinker. Coffee drinkers buy lots of coffee. Coffee drinkers buy lots of coffee in disposable cups. Coffee drinkers throw away those cups. It’s just how it works. Plus, the thought of not having my coffee struck fear in my heart. What if I needed coffee and I didn’t have my mug with me? What if I was thirsty? What if I was out for coffee with a friend? Wouldn’t it be awkward to not buy coffee because I care about a paper cup? For the first time in my life, on such a mundane issue, I said, “To heck with all that. Let’s just give it a-go.”
Sure, I had to readjust my thought habits to keep from dehydrating myself for the sake of my new worthy cause (note: if you go on a disposable cup fast, always have your Nalgene, Kleen Kanteen, or glass mason jar on hand). I also had times when I went without the almighty coffee shot. But I did it. And like my ODP, it’s made me feel liberated! So much so that today, it makes complete sense that I have hardly any reason to use a disposable cup again, or a disposable utensil of any kind really (though I’m still working on the utensils thing). It just takes determination, care, a healthy compassion for the state of our planet, and some pre-planning (it turns out this isn’t as much of a nuisance as I once thought, especially once you retrain old habits).
It can be that simple. Yet I know it’s not. We have lots of excuses, and incredibly strong routines ground into our mental frameworks that often prevent us from taking the step to put our actions where our hearts are. So many of us care for the earth, yet fall short of reaching our capacity to truly love it by changing our habits in little ways to really contribute to the kind of difference-making that will see us through to the future. Because in reality, it’s not that simple. Yet we’ve also been shown lately that in the stark reality of climate change, deforestation, and rampant pollution problems, it’s worth it.
So it turns out that when we begin acting, our ideas and philosophies can actually be transformed by the ways we live. In this way, as my friend Ched says, we can act ourselves into thinking, which is much more potent than thinking ourselves into acting.
So my question to you is this: what can you do to act your way into thinking? No decision is too small! Perhaps if you’re ODPing this month, you’re currently figuring this out!
* I should also add to this list the fact that I was terrified of spiders and other bugs, so the prospect of gardening has often terrified me. In fact, when I was working outside with my friend Elaine, she informed me that a spider has just crawled into my shirt. I proceeded to (1) freak out, (2) remove my shirt as fast as I possibly could, and (3) accidentally punch Elaine in the face and break her glasses as I removed said shirt as fast as I could. We all got a laugh out of it later, but I enforced a self-imposed restriction from work outside thereafter. I contributed by cooking everyone cookies and granola in the days following.
Kristy,
What an amazing, heartfelt post, full of sincerity, transparency and whether you call it this or not — leadership.
Just think how one simple step you took — one little seed you planted and nurtured — has bore so much fruit for you. It’s inspirational and a testament to the power (internal and external) of small, deliberate actions.
For me, each step I take help me see deeper into the “why” of everything I do. Is it easy all the time? No, of course not. But that is part of the journey.
Keep it up!
Bill
Hi Bill, Thank you for your kind reply. And absolutely picking one action and following through whole heartedly only opens more doors to more change. And you’re right, it isn’t always easy. Certainly not. But it is a journey I am throughly enjoying.
Thanks for your support and inspiration!
on the other hand, spiders are also considered symbols of good luck. there is also a folktale about how a spider made a web to hide the christ child from herod.
Oh yes, I see spiders very differently now than I used to. I’m still scared of them, but I no longer don’t like them. That’s silly.
I like your no disposable cups project! It really bugs me sometimes to see people in my life (often at work) create so much waste just for a single meal. Although she hasn’t posted in a while, I’d recommend checking out the blog Life Less Plastic for more ideas on how to cut down on waste. Jeanne also has a great recipe for homemade yogurt. I’ve become an addict in the past year, because not only does it cut down on all those plastic yogurt cups, but it’s healthier too! The only ingredients in my yogurt are milk and live cultures, and then I add a little honey or fruit on top and it makes a great breakfast. No preservatives or excessive amounts of sugar!
Hey, A. I’ve absolutely seen that blog before. I’ve spent a good bit of time on various no plastic blogs/books/etc. It has been quite encouraging, to say the least. And it is funny you mention it because homemade yogurt is my very next project. I started making it happen and I just didn’t have the right equipment (a big enough pot). The yogurt cups, even though I buy it in large containers, is the only plastic I haven’t been able to get away from for something I use/eat so much of. Well that, and toiletry bottles. And yogurt and my super nutty granola with some of the fresh fruit coming in from our CSA is my daily breakfast. Love it.
Thanks again Kristy for sharing your new twists and turns as you forge ahead with your new views of life! You’ve inspired me tremendously. I’ve been on the Great American Apparel Diet now for over 10 months and I know how these types of experiences change one’s life. I will continue to live more thoughtfully and challenge myself through this type of experimentation. Love it!
Hey, Diane. Sounds like you’re on a great journey yourself! Keep it up and push yourself farther once you feel the itch.
Kristy! It’s almost the 6th month mark for me!
I too just planted a garden yesterday full of wonderful herbs and vegetables. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but have been afraid of killing them and not being successful… hopefully I have the green thumb.
I work at a darling coffee shop outside of town and we recycle our “coffee collars”. Perhaps you can do the same and feel less bad about throw away cups. Also, if you’re not in a hurry, you could drink out of their house mugs, enjoy the atmosphere, and save that way.
Just a quick hello!
Hey, Lindsey! Great to hear from you. Way to go on no clothing consumption for 6 months!!!!!
And thanks for the thoughts on coffee consumption and the cups. Honestly, I really feel convicted to not use the cups, the lids, or the “collars” despite their being recycled. I suppose I’ve been really challenged lately to reduce my consumption by refusing rather than relying on recycling (wow, that was a lot of “r”s). But I do enjoy using house mugs when I can stick around somewhere.
Just found your blog – love it!! I love what you’re doing and just shared your story with all my friends, co-workers, family members… Thanks for being such a great example of daring to think differently!!
Hi, Sarah. Thank you so much for joining the conversation here at ODP and sharing my protest with your family and friends. I hope to continue to challenge myself and others. I look forward to having you around for the journey. Peace.
Another thought…I think you should reach out to KLOVE radio if you haven’t already. They are always looking for positive stories and I think it would benefit so many people to hear about yours.
Interesting thought… though I’ve done a handful of interviews I’ve never really contacted anywhere. Thanks for putting it out there.
Would this work for avoiding plastic cutlery? http://www.amazon.com/-Go-Ware-RePEaT-Reusable-Utensil/dp/B002BFUFA2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1308231510&sr=8-2
Hey, Suzyn. Good to hear from you. And yes, it absolutely would. And that is the precise stuff I want. We recently invested in two klean kanteens and next will be cutlery and aluminum “tupperware.” It is just a struggle to consume when you feel like you could have stuff that you could make work. Utensils though, I do not have any to-go-ware. Thanks for sharing this here though.
What a surprising change your dress has led you to! I once kept and *carried around* my non-recyclable and non-reusable trash for two weeks. I had already cut back from disposable products a great deal (using a Diva Cup, handkerchiefs, cloth bags, etc), but it definitely raised my consciousness a level. For instance, in terms of carry-out cutlery, I just wrapped a crappier knife/fork/spoon in a cloth napkin, and rubber banded it. Kept it in my backpack for when I needed it! I also once tried changing my eating habits for one month. It lasted *much* longer than that, ran deeper than diet, and taught me a lot.
Hey, Brittany. I bet carrying around your trash and recycling really made you think! What a powerful way to learn what you’ve used. And yes, that would be the way to go with to-go-cutlery. I suppose I’m being a pain because I don’t have any random silverware and don’t want to take some from my set.
And I’m not sure if you saw but I wrote a previous post about how this all came about/was largely influenced by my changing my eating habits/food source. It is a great gateway that is really approachable!
Kristy: Just a quick note to say what a great blog. You are a good writer! Keep up the great witness. Much love from here, Ched
Hi, Ched! Great to hear from you… brought a smile to my face. And thanks for your support and encouragement, it means the world to me. Love to you and Elaine!
Hi! I’ve finally made it through all of your blog archive, up to today and another inspiring post. I’m joining the protest in my very modest way (more of a sit-in really) by paring down my closet, wearing only ten items this month, radically limiting my purchases, even returning all the items in my closet that still have tags on them and donating a whole bunch of things. Your protest has inspired me to forgo trends that don’t express who I am and to stick to the simple classical style that makes me happy.
One of the studies that most stayed with me is how people value and remember experiences more than things. Not only do the experience and associated memories provide long-lasting happiness, stepping off the consumerist treadmill brings about so much peace of mind. So let’s save for future travels rather than a handbag!
And yeah to no more disposable cups, bags, cutlery or having to carry a wool sweater around in the summer because the AC everywhere is at 50 degrees: the feeling you are doing the right thing is addictive.
Hi, Karen. Wow, that’s a huge honor that you made it through all my writing. I love how you’re joining the protest in your own way. Joining in your way, and not mine, is authentic and likely takes more thought and intention. And that’s pretty radical Karen, only 10 items?!?! Awesome. And I’d love to know where you choose/find to donate your stuff here in New Haven (I’ll ask you tonight). I’m thrilled my protest has inspired you as it has in that that is largely where this whole thing came from… a desire to release myself from imposed fashions and wants and to honor other desires or even a lack-there-of at times.
I’m after that peace of mind you reference, and I’m elated to have you as a companion on that journey. You are so RIGHT–right doing is incredibly addicting. And so it should be! I’m going to not mess with that addiction and hope it just increases in intensity.
Hi Kristy!
I took a photo of my closet showing my one dress! It looks so pretty in the closet all by itself! I put the rest of my clothes away just like you recommended.
http://www.myownversion.com
WOW Mariza! What a powerful external image of what I hope is happening internally for you as this month progresses. Fantastic!
Companies try to turn us into walking ads. Just came upon your blog and love it. Maybe what you wear can become a bilboard to promote big change? Little thing into big thing.
Hey, Jeremy. Thanks for joining the conversation! And you’re precisely right, what we wear sends a message whether we like it or not. So, I’m intentionally sending the message that my one dress is good enough day after day after day.
How cool is this! I just found you through Becoming Minimalist. I love your message. I am an anti-consumer too. This is a great thing you are doing! Thanks so much!
Hi, Katie. Thanks so much for the support and encouragement!
I think it’s really about a lot more than dresses, as such. For you, that might have been the most obvious example of pointless consumption, for others it’ll be something else.
We’re brought up to be consumers. To think that happiness is connected to buying stuff. Often stuff that is, ultimately, useless. Yet, if we think back, try to remember our 3 happiest days ever, it’s likely that *stuff* won’t be what matters.
I think few people lie at their deathbed and go: “man, I wish I’d spent even more time at work, so that I could buy even more *stuff*”
It’s hard to say precisely which days I was happiest. But I know I was real happy to become a father. I know I was real happy that the most splendid women on this planet choose to marry precisely me, and I know I was happy, standing on mount Karitind with my pal, having walked every step up there. And *stuff* was completely unimportant in all of these. (even the wedding; it was a $2000 wedding, you could justly say we where cheapskates, we’re upper-middle-class)
I’d rather drive a $10K car to work – work 6 hours, then spend time with my friends and family, than drive a $100K car to work, but have to work for 8 hours or more to be able to pay for all the useless stuff. (guess what, the cheap car does pretty much the same job as the expensive one)
Hello, Elvind. You’re absolutely right, it is about a lot more than a dress…
You’re so right, I doubt anyone finds themselves thinking that at the end of their lives. It would be a sad sad day if they did. I appreciate that you shared your most joyous (non-stuff-oriented) memories. I’d agree, my most joyous times are usually those that don’t involve “stuff.” It is a great thought to ingrain in our memories these most joyous times absent of stuff, yet full of emotion and what makes our lives most abundant.
Thanks for your addition to the conversation happening here at ODP!
I did a family session yesterday and I changed my clothes for the session. I wore something else besides my dress for a couple of hours. It was interesting because I didn’t feel very comfortable. As soon as I finished, I wanted to put on my dress. My dress is so comfortable! I love it! The month is almost over, but I don’t want to stop. The month went by too fast, I want to extend my one dress for one more month. I love the simplicity of this whole thing.
Isn’t it interesting how you can all of a sudden feel strange in something other than your dress!?! I could anticipate feeling similarly. Perhaps it isn’t time for you to stop yet…? I’d love for you to continue on with me. It really is great (at least I’ve found it to be so). And with each passing month I feel more and more strange about how much clothes I’ve lived with previously and with what is packed away for me to return to (if I like) at the end of this year. It is so unappealing. Let me know where you plan to go from here, Mariza.
YAY for ditching disposable cups!!
I’m soo HAPPY!!
And YAY for exploring eco/zw blogs and learning how to be more self-sufficient & healthier and make less waste!!
There are recipes for toiletries too, you know – or you can buy some soaps/shampoo bars ‘waste-free’ with your own container!
YAY for making yogurt too!
Have you tried it yet? We make ‘sour milk’ without previous cooking, just heat it up in winter, if necessary, and add some existing yogurt/sour milk.. You can do it in winter too, in a thermos flask overnight (you probably came across that recipe too?)
You do need a good milk supplier for the ‘no-cooking’ variant though..
I have read about waste-free toiletries but I haven’t found any resources around me that allow me to bring my own bottles. I’ll keep my eye out for that, for now I’ll purchase in bulk.
I haven’t tried the yogurt yet, I’m dying too. It is a major goal and it has just been a wild time. Very soon I’m going to set out on a project to try many ways and find what I like best. It is a must with as much yogurt as we eat.