I’m neither a materialist or a minimalist. I don’t have any specific philosophy when it comes to owning and buying stuff. However, I have come to realize that buying less → having to work less → more time to live. And I love life. I know you do to, so here comes my little guide to shopping less.
How to appreciate what you have and buy less
1. Understand why you shop
How does shopping make you feel? Happy? Important? wealthy? Imagine finding something in a store, or imagine buying something on your wish list. Does it make you feel excited? Why? As for me, buying things make me feel inspired, energetic, exciting and interesting. When I’ve been out shopping I usually rush home and unpack my new stuff. Then I use the things religiously for about a week. And then the excitement is gone.
Sometimes I don’t even unpack my new things and leave them lying around in shopping bags for weeks before I remember. And sometimes I just never use or wear what I have bought at all. Sounds familiar?
I believe it is the act of buying new things, and not the things themselves that makes me feel good. Understanding how it works for you will help you understand where to break the habit.
2. Find other substitutes
What else in life make you feel this way? As the main goal here is to free up some time, try to find something that is free. Reading blogs for example makes me feel the same way as I do when I shop. I get inspired, it boosts my energy and I feel interesting and exciting. Decorating and reorganizing my home does the same. So whenever I feel like shopping, I should start doing these things instead. Other things that might be substitutes are giving yourself a home spa treatment, making an inspiration board, creating and crafting something, work out++ Find something that works for you!
3. Clean out the clutter
It is so much easier to appreciate your things when you can see them. Get rid of all clutter, things you don’t need and items you have bought, but never used. (Bindu Wiles’ the Shed Project is perfect for this). Work systematically and go through all surfaces, closets and drawers. If it is hard to remove something you don’t really need or use, consider to give it to charity or hold on to it for a limited amount of time, say two months. If you haven’t used it by then, just get rid of it.
4. Display what you have
When you have some clear surfaces, put the things that mean the most to you on display.You want to be surrounded with things that you feel reflect and reinforce your personality. Put the clothes that make you feel good in front of your closet. Place gifts received from friends and family where you can see them and be reminded of their generosity. If you are happy with your things, you’ll not be as tempted to buy more stuff.
5. Work out your buying priorities
We all tend to think that “if I buy this – then I’ll be happy” or “If I get that – then I’ll be able to realize that dream” and so on. Remember that things themselves don’t make you happy. They might give some form of instant verification or spark, but real deep happiness you’ll have to find within. I encourage you to make a list of things you should stop buying. And then make a list of things you are “allowed” to buy that will contribute to real happiness, not just give you instant verification.
I’ll leave you with a section from this post on Zen Habits that I use as my personal buying guide.
“When you think about your things or want to purchase something new, consider these parameters:
- It brings beauty into your life and stirs your soul.
- It supports a passion or hobby.
- It helps bring family and friends together in a creative, meaningful way.
- It educates and enlightens.
- It makes life profoundly simpler so that you can pursue more meaningful things.
- It helps someone who is sick or incapacitated.
- It is useful and necessary for day-to-day life.
- It’s part of a meaningful tradition or a reminder of a special event.”
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Thank you to everyone who has told me their dreams, tweeted and posted about the Dream Experiment. I still need you to help me spread the word! And remember to submit your dream for before September 13th!!
This is a great post!
I’ve cut waaaay back on my shopping and am in the process of decluttering my life I now think my money can be better spent on amazing experiences rather than “stuff”. I always ask myself when I’m out shopping is this truely what I want/need or can my money be put to better use. I do still treat myself but tend to save up and wait to purchase things now rather than instantly buying them, sometimes just waiting to buy things can make you realise what you truely want/need and be exciting plus when you finally make that purchase it feels all the more worthwhile. xoxo
Thank you!
I think you have a great point about spending money on experiences rather than things. That’s what life is about, right?
♥
I recently gave up 80% of my closet, and it was hard. Why throw away thousands of dollars worth of designer clothing and bags, but I had to do it. Now, having such a large space in my closet, it’s made me more creative with what I have, and appreciate what I did keep.
I get dressed quicker, find more time, and up next is my makeup, camera collection, and books. Just like clothes I’d never thought I’d get rid of, it felt very good having so much time and space.
oh, that is so impressive! Congratulations!
I imagine tackling your camera collection will be hard though!
I’m participating in Bindu Wiles’ the Shed Project, and up next is all my papers and notes!
I’ve been pretty diligent in exercising restraint when it comes to bringing new items into my home, but I completely struggle with getting rid of things! I’m in the process of cleaning out my room but I just feel so guilty for getting rid of things that might have sentimental value or possibly sending things to the dump (some things just can’t be donated!)
I know exactly what you mean. It’s hard, but definitely worth it!
This is such wonderful, wonderful advice! Buying less is a concept that I’ve only come to appreciate within the last couple of years – I used to buy like a mad woman but honestly, it’s just stuff, and I’d much rather live and spend my money on experiences like travelling, anyway!
Thank you!
I used to do that too, and as a result from that, working so much that I nearly burned myself out. Who remembers things 10 years from now anyways? An epic journey on the other hand… ;)
great post
thank you!
Thank you for this – I recently purged a bunch of my stuff and have been rethinking my purchasing habits, and I already feel a lot better!
Great to hear that you feel better! :)
Hi! I’ve lurked on this place since december last year. It’s a beautiful thing you’re doing: changing your life because you can’t stay in the same place forever. I admire you, and also love what you’re posting on this blog.
Related to this post, I’ve been doing some downsizing in my life since a tragic event happened in my life a few months ago. I realized that life’s too short and fleeting to be worrying about stuff. So now I’m working on having less and living more.
Thank you! :)
I’m sorry to hear about your tragic event, but I’m happy that something good came out of it. That is the beauty of life… :)
xxx