I decided to make this a year when I would buy nothing new for me or my children or the house. There were some exceptions to this, but that was the gist of it. We’re nearly there now, so how has it gone?

The first thing to say, is that I am incredibly glad to have done this. It has made me think a lot more about consumerism and waste, and I think I will always shop more thoughtfully because of this year, with my go-to option being pre-loved rather than brand new.

In some ways I don’t think I’ve done too badly, but this final quarter has been the toughest, and I have had a few falls off the wagon which I should publicly fess up to. The first, back in the dog days of summer, was the Trainers of Delight. I’d seen these silver Air and Grace trainers popping up all over the place on my Instagram feed, and lusted after them, and then I got the email saying that they were in the sale. I capitulated. Then I felt hugely guilty and immediately put them on our local Sell or Swap group. And then I realised I still did really, really want them, and I kept them. And I am very happy I did! Air and Grace specialise in footwear which looks amazing but also provides proper support to your feet. I suffer with plantar fasciitis, and I walk a lot, so comfortable footwear is massively important to me, but I also like to avoid the orthopaedic shoe look, even though my stiletto days may be behind me. These trainers are soo comfy, and I’ve had loads of compliments about them. They also go with pretty much everything. They were expensive, even in the sale, but worth every penny, and worth my fall from grace!

I did, however, manage to track down some barely worn Air and Grace ankle boots on eBay, so that was a nothing new victory for my feet!

My next fall was the back to school rush in September. It turned out that the 8 year old had had a growth spurt, almost entirely in her legs, and none of her tights or leggings fitted her. It’s obviously really hard to source good-quality secondhand children’s tights and leggings because the little darlings destroy them. And slightly frazzled by the end of the holidays and stressed out by the back to school rush, I didn’t try very hard, I just went to Next and bought what she needed. Again, to be honest, #sorrynotsorry.

She did, however, get a lovely cardi, two gorgeous preloved Mini Boden dresses and a ‘new’ winter coat in almost perfect condition, as well as a little sparkly cardi and some party shoes for the Christmas season, all via eBay, Sell or Swap, or lovely local preloved clothes shop Birch and Star.

The final slip-up is the one for which I don’t have even a spurious excuse to offer. I had been hankering after a red winter coat to cheer up winter mornings, and make me feel a little bit glamorous even when all I’m doing is two school-runs and a Sainsbury’s shop, and I hadn’t found anything in all my charity shop trawling. Then, a month ago, I met up with one of my besties for a child-free day out in Cambridge. We had a lunch which may, or may not, have involved cocktails and wine, and then we went mooching round Primark later. The result was probably a foregone conclusion. I found the  red coat of dreams. Unfortunately for me, it was only in a size 8, or a size 20, neither of which I am. However, something about the make-do and mend spirit of nothing new year led me to try it on anyway. It actually worked really well over-sized, in my opinion anyway. And has the added advantage of lots of room for my layers of chunky winter jumpers underneath. I negotiated a massive discount (it was cheap anyway!) because there was a small hole in a seam, and I have since had that repaired for less than the cost of the discount. And then, when I realised that I was actually still missing a sensible, warm, waterproof coat with hood, I redeemed myself by getting a Gap one on Sell or Swap.

Christmas shopping has been an interesting one too. I can’t say too much here, because recipients of various gifts may be reading my blog (better bloody had be), but I have got a gorgeous Playmobil farm set for my nearly 3 year old on Sell or Swap. And I have tried to think more creatively about presents rather than just dashing to the shops. However, time constraints, and spending most of November stuck at home with poorly children, and the desire to get people what they actually really want, rather than what  my self-imposed constraints enable me to buy them secondhand, means that I have also bought quite a lot of stuff new. I have definitely been more thoughtful about this, though, however, and have tried to shop responsibly and support local businesses where possible.

I have spent a lot less money on clothes than any other year in recent memory, but I have acquired so many lovely things, for me and the children, and I find that I appreciate them much more than I would clothes which I just walked into a shop and bought at will. I have enjoyed the thrill of seeing something perfect pop up on my Facebook feed, and making a connection with someone in my community as I go to collect it. I also like the adrenaline thrill of an eBay auction for the perfect item I’ve set my heart on.

One of the knock-on effects of this year has been that I now throw nothing away. I still declutter, quite frequently, but everything is either sold, given away or donated to charity. This is quite time consuming,  (although sometimes lucrative too!) and there have been moments when I have just longed to chuck something away, but I am now very resistant to throw-away culture, and extremely conscious that one person’s rubbish is another’s treasured find.

I am aware that to dedicated frugallers and committed ethical shoppers, my year of nothing new, especially with these, umm, exceptions, is a fairly pathetic effort. However, shallow or not, I love clothes, and I love shopping, and I love following fashion accounts on Instagram, and frankly, I love the hit of a bit of retail therapy, so I am still quite proud of how well I’ve managed, and pleasurably surprised at how much I have enjoyed it.

I don’t know exactly how I will shop in 2018. I’m thinking along the lines of an ethical shopping policy – so mainly preloved, but with exceptions for treats from ethical brands like People Tree. And perhaps a ‘slip-up’ budget for occasional post-boozy lunch girly shopping trips??