Shop My Closet Project
Author: Michelle
Description: The Shop My Closet Project 2.0: A Re-Introduction Talking about how my life has changed
Date: 2015-07-01T09:00:00+00:00

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# The Shop My Closet Project 2.0: A Re-Introduction

posted on 1 July, 2015

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I can’t believe that it is the middle of 2015. I am three years into a blogging journey that I didn’t expect to last THIS LONG. It feels like it’s time to do a recap in a slightly different way than I have done before. Because I have changed, what I want to do with my blog has changed as well.

First, let’s do a recap for those of you who are new to my blog and a refresh for those of you who have been with me along the way.

## My Story

Let’s start with the fact that I have no idea why I started blogging. And I don’t remember how I stumbled upon blogs. I read a lot so I suppose that one day I just started reading other people’s journeys and feel in love with rooting them on, being a part of their tribe, and at the time it allowed me to commit…without committing. I could be an onlooker without really taking a risk.

In 2012 I was truly struggling. I was deep in debt, was physically exhausted, had gained around 45 pounds, had stopped dating, and hated (maybe loathed) my job. I was being consumed by my consumerism and felt that there had to be a better way.

## I was stuck

Around that time I stumbled on a conference called FinCon12 that just randomly happened to be in Denver about a week or so from the time that I found out about it. The conference was a personal finance/finance blogging conference and some of the writers that I read regularly would be there. I decided that this was a sign. I had to go so I did.

I met my idols and was struck by how hard working, kind, and focused they were. I also was aware that a lot of these wonderful people had walked in my shoes.

I still had no idea how I would get out of being stuck, I just knew that I had to do something-anything to change my life. So I started blogging. Badly, sharing my thoughts, dreams, and worries.

As I continued to blog things began to change despite myself. Slowly I began to connect with other people via my blog. I started to learn new things and received different ideas about how I could lower my debt and make some traction.

## 2013

As I got deeper into blogging I felt like it was time to try something audacious. Something that I couldn’t imagine doing. I had read about Ana from And Then We Saved and her No Shopping Challenge. I had met her briefly (she’s from Colorado) so I thought that maybe this no shopping thing could change my life too? Maybe? Hopefully? On April 1, 2013 I began my year long challenge that had long lasting affects on my life to this day.

I continued working the job that I hated because I had a hard time imagining doing anything else. But ideas had begun swirling in my head. As I read about people working for themselves, leaving their jobs, and paying off debt I began to wonder…is that possible for me too? I wasn’t ready though so I continued blogging.

That year I went to FinCon13 in St. Louis, MO and continued to meet more amazing people and started to truly understand that I was a part of something bigger than me.

I began to notice that people were actually reading and commenting on my blog. I soon realized that what I was sharing, my painful journey, had some value.

## 2014

I know that I am no longer able to continue working my job. I was in between a rock and a hard place. I still had debt, I had an idea of what I wanted to do next but it still wasn’t the right time. Am slowly going crazy and am completely miserable because I am no longer able to commit to a life that is being sucked dry by every bad choice that I’ve made.

I worked on my vision board with a better sense of what I wanted to have happen in the next year or so.

I spent the first month of 2014 side hustling my way out of my Verizon cell phone contract and switching to Republic wireless saving me almost $1000 in my first year of switching.

April 1, 2014 I finish my No Shopping Challenge with a sense of amazement. I finished that challenge having saved around $4000, broke my shopping habit, and came out of that year with a deeper understand of why I was sabotaging myself financially.

I continued to connect more and more offline with my blogging friends and continued feeling amazed at how much support I was receiving.

In general I felt a profound sense of Gratitude. I knew that regardless of what happened it was time for me to move on from my job and from other toxic situations in order to let new things in.

In September I went to New Orleans for FinCon14 and had already begun setting my future plans into action. Life was about to change.

On December 16, 2014 I finished my job and the next day I begun a journey from Denver to L.A., L.A. to Hawaii, and then from Hawaii to Sydney, Australia-I was done.

## 2015

I began 2015 by watching fireworks over the Sydney Harbor Bridge. For the first time in many, many years I had a new chapter to my life that I had to manage and I had to manage it better than the last one. It was an exhilarating and scary proposition.

## Today:

It is July 2015 and I’m still going strong. I am currently working for myself and though it has been an imperfect transition, I am still eating and paying my bills.

Yes, I will be going to Charlotte, North Carolina for FinCon15!

## Life Changes:

- Am Happy
- Have killed my urge to consume
- Gratitude is my middle name
- Life is imperfect-but great!

## What’s Next Personally/Professionally/and For TSMCP?

- I am still paying off my debt and I will continue to share stories and insights regarding that battle.

- I am still working on my personal life and will share what’s working and what’s not. I’m having a fantastic time reconnecting with my friends, meeting new people, and exploring Denver. I’m also embracing minimalism and I’m loving it so far!

- My goal is to write more in depth posts that will help my readers conquer certain issues that they may be working on such as: Paying off debt, meal planning, frugal travel, how to start a blog, and more.

- Girl Gone Frugal Podcast-I have begun interviewing interesting and exciting people and can’t wait to share their ideas, insight, and information with you.
  - Episode 1-An Introduction (Monday, July 6, 2015)
  - Episode 2-Melanie Lockhart from Dear Debt
  - Episode 3-Aja McClanahan from Principles of Increase
  - Episode 4-Taalat and Tai from His and Her Money

- Products-Am in the process of producing some digital products. I don’t want to say more other than it’s A LOT of work!

- Colorado Luv Hub-Is my blog about Colorado. I am also working on some products associated with that site and am also recording podcast interviews for that site as well. Needless to say I’m REALLY busy.

## Think of this as The Shop My Closet Project 2.0

## A Reintroduction

The following two tabs change content below.

- Bio
- Latest Posts

#### Michelle

I am an obsessive foodie, but not self-righteous with it, love travel, meeting new people, helping you look good, and am freaked out by people who don't enjoying reading...something! Grab a Perrier, read my blog, feel free to drop me a line! Hope to hear from you soon.

#### Latest posts by Michelle (see all)

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## Reader Interactions

### Comments

1. Kirsten says

   1 July, 2015 at 4:28 am

   I loved this little look back. It’s fun to know how you started and how you arrived where you are today. I can’t wait for your digital products and I’m in awe that you are juggling so much – freelancing, digital products, podcasts, blogging. You go!

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     1 July, 2015 at 7:52 am

     It has been a LONG road which is why I encourage people to start whatever it is that they are thinking about. I was quite amazed by how many things had changed over the course of time. Of course, it was a lot of hard work but I don’t know if I would have thought of a lot of these options that I’m considering if I hadn’t blogged.

     Reply

2. Kate @ Cashville Skyline says

   1 July, 2015 at 5:54 am

   Thanks for re-sharing, Michelle! It’s interesting to hear your full story. I’m looking forward to following along on this next chapter of your journey 🙂

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     1 July, 2015 at 7:53 am

     It was crazy to me how many things had changed as I looked back! Crossing my fingers for the future (and working hard).

     Reply

3. Chonce says

   1 July, 2015 at 7:26 am

   You have such an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing all your milestones and how your journey has got you where you are today. My shopping ban has been a big game changer for me as well. I love how you just took a chance and went to FinCon before you even started blogging. I can’t wait to hear more about your projects and I’m even more excited to meet you at FinCon this year!

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     1 July, 2015 at 7:54 am

     I was actually sort of vaguely blogging on Blogger. But, the big draw with FinCon was that it was only $100 when it was in Denver and all of my idols were there. Can’t wait to meet you too!!

     Reply

4. thebrokeandbeautifullife says

   1 July, 2015 at 1:59 pm

   What a journey- congrats Michelle! So much to celebrate and so much to look forward to.

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     1 July, 2015 at 3:43 pm

     Thanks Stephanie! Am plugging away 🙂

     Reply

5. Jessica says

   1 July, 2015 at 5:54 pm

   I love this recap of your journey. I feel like I’m a few steps behind you in my own journey so I always get some motivation and inspiration from your posts. I know I was feeling stuck for about a year or so before I started blogging. Since starting, I’ve figured some stuff out and met some awesome people.

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     1 July, 2015 at 6:58 pm

     Thanks Jessica! I just try to take one step at a time. Things aren’t perfect, but they are much better than before! Stuck is the worst feeling ever!

     Reply

6. NZ Muse says

   2 July, 2015 at 10:29 pm

   Yay! I’m so happy to see how far you’ve come.

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     3 July, 2015 at 9:20 am

     Thanks and it has been A LOT of work. Working on yourself is stressful.

     Reply

7. giulia says

   3 July, 2015 at 2:32 am

   Congras for all your goal tha tyou achieved and I’m sure you’ll achieve more, keep yourself focused on them and enjoy all the adventure!!!

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     3 July, 2015 at 9:24 am

     Thanks friend!! I am still working hard and hope to really make a huge difference in my debt (again) this year!

     Reply

8. Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank says

   4 July, 2015 at 5:42 pm

   It is really great to look back to find out those changes and improvements we have had. It seems like that most of yours are really good, Michelle Gratitude. 😀 Nice perspective that life is imperfect but great!

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     4 July, 2015 at 7:34 pm

     If I wanted perfection, I would what forever. I’m ok with imperfect!

     Reply

9. Roz says

   5 July, 2015 at 11:52 am

   Looking forward to the podcast!!

   Reply

   - Michelle says

     5 July, 2015 at 12:50 pm

     Thanks Roz!

     Reply

10. No Nonsense Landlord says

    23 July, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    Congrats on being an entrepreneur! There is no better feeling than working for yourself.

    Reply

    - Michelle says

      23 July, 2015 at 11:55 pm

      Thanks, I’m still figuring it all out but am enjoying the ride!

      Reply

11. Pira says

    25 July, 2015 at 9:38 am

    Hi Michelle, I’m new to your blog and loved reading this recap. You have a great story and I’m looking forward to following along! I dream about being able to freelance full time and really admire people that take the plunge.

    Reply

    - Michelle says

      25 July, 2015 at 12:52 pm

      Thanks Pira, I appreciate your support and hope the insights I share will be helpful to you. It has been a bumpy road to get to this point. Freelancing is a bit…messy. But, once you get focused, have a process, and implement it, it’s pretty straightforward!

      Reply

12. No More Waffles says

    26 July, 2015 at 3:06 am

    Michelle,

    Very motivating and inspiring story! Even though I’ve only followed your blog for one year, I’ve seen you make tremendous progress in that time. I can only imagine where you end up in a couple of years.

    Best of luck,
    NMW

    Reply

    - Michelle says

      26 July, 2015 at 9:44 am

      Thanks my friend! I am now about to switch gears big time and amp things up. Will keep you posted!! I’ve been following you as well-love your savings rate!!

      Reply

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