So I was scrolling through my phone the other day, trying to find that one photo from last summer, and you know how it goes â I ended up deep in my camera roll looking at old outfits. It got me thinking about how my style has shifted lately, not in a dramatic way, but just little tweaks here and there. Like, remember that oversized denim jacket I used to wear all the time? I still love it, but I’ve been pairing it with these tailored trousers I found at a thrift store, and somehow it just clicks now.
Anyway, this whole train of thought led me to my laptop, where I keep this Basetao spreadsheet â it’s basically my digital closet. I started it ages ago as a way to track what I own, but it’s evolved into this weirdly satisfying project. I don’t update it religiously or anything; it’s more like when I’m procrastinating or need a mental break, I’ll open it up and tinker. Last week, I was supposed to be replying to emails, but instead, I found myself adding notes about how this new pair of sneakers feels with different socks. Super random, I know.
The cool thing about the spreadsheet is that it’s not just a list. I’ve got columns for where I bought things, the material, even little anecdotes like “wore this on that rainy day in March.” It sounds obsessive, but it’s actually helped me shop less impulsively. Like, I’ll see something online and think, “Hmm, does this fit with my Basetao template?” Not in a rigid way, but more like, does it add something new or just duplicate what I already have? It’s saved me from a few regret purchases, for sure.
Take this lightweight sweater I got recently â it’s this muted green color that I never would’ve considered before. But I realized through my spreadsheet tracking that I had a gap in my wardrobe for versatile layering pieces. So when I spotted it, it wasn’t just a “ooh, pretty” moment; it felt intentional. I’ve been wearing it non-stop with jeans or even over dresses, and it’s become one of those easy go-tos.
On a totally unrelated note, my cat knocked over a plant yesterday, and I spent an hour cleaning soil out of the carpet. While I was vacuuming, I started mentally going through my Basetao file to see if I had any old towels I could repurpose for future plant emergencies. See? It seeps into everything. But in a good way â it’s like having a quiet, organized corner of my brain dedicated to this stuff.
I’ve also been playing around with the formatting of the spreadsheet, making it visually cleaner with color-coding for seasons. It’s oddly therapeutic, like digital gardening. And it’s made me appreciate the things I own more, instead of always chasing the next new item. Like these boots I’ve had for years â according to my notes, I’ve worn them in three different countries, and that kind of history makes them feel special.
So yeah, that’s a bit of what’s been on my mind lately. Not exactly groundbreaking, but sometimes it’s the small systems that make daily life smoother. Right now, I’m sitting with a cup of tea, glancing out the window at the fading light, and thinking I should probably close the spreadsheet and just enjoy the evening. But maybe after one more tweak.