I distinctly remember a conversation with my mum a couple years ago regarding my habit of spending tons of money on clothing. She told me I should start my own clothing brand instead of buying from others. It’s weird because I totally forgot this conversation ever happened until I started writing this.

To this day I still buy from other clothing brands, just like most people do. That hasn’t changed. It likely never will. But what has changed is my position.

I spent some time designing some of my own graphic tees. It wasn’t much serious. A bit of fun, maybe something to monetise. Really I just wanted to see my own work IRL.

At the same time as this, I started buying shares in the companies who created some of my favourite styles: Nike, Adidas, Zara, H&M.

Money usually moves in one direction – from the person who’s buying to the person who’s producing it.

I may not have started a seven-figure clothing brand. I certainly didn’t stop consuming (how could I, they’re clothes after all!). I just made sure I wasn’t standing entirely on one side of the transaction.

Of course, I still buy clothes. But the difference is that now, some of that money finds its way back.