That might be an over-exaggeration, but do you ever feel like you’re just spending SO MUCH MONEY on things you’re influenced to buy? Do you look at your closet and find that you have hardly anything that you truly LOVE or NEED? I have been struggling with this for a few years, but lately, I have really been feeling it. I’ve purged my closet only to fill it back up with things I see my peers wearing. (My peers being other bloggers- gotta love that influencer FOMO!)

Of course, I have been blogging for years and years, and I have always shared items using an affiliate link. I would like to say I don’t link everything, I don’t NOT link things just because I can’t make a commission, and I don’t pimp out my affiliate links in general. That’s just not how I am, but it might also be because I am lazy.

This blog post isn’t to put down people who do, because it works for some people! And to be even more honest, there are some bloggers that people DEMAND links from because they are truly influenced to purchase all the things people bought. That doesn’t happen for me, but hey- I don’t need that kind of stress anyway. (HA!)

I just thought I would share this and let you know that if you’re feeling overly influenced, you’re not alone! You do have options, though. Unfollow those that make you feel pressure, take a step back, take a week or month off, and then come back when you’re in a better space. Another option is limiting times when you feel more likely to spend. (Don’t go on social media on payday, don’t watch Instastories when you’re particularly down about your closet contents, etc.)

I have a BIG plan for next year to help with this, but I am going to share more about that later. (Once I have a better plan for it all and can share with confidence!) I just want to let you know that if you’re feeling this way, I’m right there with you. Take a break, sis! You deserve it!

Also, I recently read the book THE YEAR OF LESS by Cait Flanders. It deals exclusively with having too much, spending too much, being influenced too much, etc. (It might also be a big clue about my huge plans for next year!)