Who are you?

“You’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re not your f***ing khakis" -Brad Pitt (Fight Club)

"The interesting thing about greed is that although the underlying motive is to seek satisfaction, even after obtaining what you want, you’re still not satisfied. It’s this endless, nagging desire for more that leads to trouble. On the other hand, if you’re truly contented, it doesn't matter whether you get what you want or not. Either way, you remain content" -Dalai Lama

Yep, it was a large purchase

Even though I have embraced the minimalist movement and vowed to decrease my consumerism, there are those things that do add to the enjoyment of my life. For our couple Christmas present, a couple of months late but was in search of the best deal, we purchased a sectional. It was a large purchase that made me severely nervous but in the end will enhance family time by offering seating for all of us as well as guests that come calling. And yes, before I purchased it I dwelled on the questions I always ask before making a purchase....will this purchase enhance my life and or make it easy? Yes, I believe it will.

Someone may be getting on board...

When I took on the project of cleaning out the closet I refrained from purging my husbands beloved enormous collectIon of t-shirts as well as the rest of his wearables. But, much to my surprise, he was so inspired by my organizational skills that he went through his own clothes and purged our closet of clothes that had not been worn in about a year. So proud :)

A new way of thinking

There are a few things I've learned while adopting my new lifestyle and one is that you have to truly change your way of thinking. This applies to purchases and purges. The hardest part about this is that I have found most purchases and possessions hold an emotional attachment or involvement. I believe this is the ultimate reason that our consumerism has become such a problem. Some call it "retail" therapy but does it really make us happy or, when the initial high goes away, are we left depressed and broke. I question my emotional reactions when considering a purchase...why is this item needed, will it make me happy, why will it make me happy, will it make my life better or easier, and the list goes on. The same questions can be asked when purging but instead of the why it's the how. How is this dress I haven't worn in three years needed, how will it make me happy...because, um, it makes my cluttered closet more asthetically pleasing with its beauty? Granted, there are always those items that hold sentimental value as well and keeping those is a personal choice, although I'm sure grandma would prefer you live an uncluttered life instead of suffocating yourself in a house filled with mementos. Once we face the emotional aspects of consumerism and delve into the whys and hows, minimizing becomes more simple and once you start it's like a snowball effect, nothing can stop you. Think of it like removing a bandaid, the anticipation of the pain is much worse the the actual pain. Unless you're addicted, then it may be time for an intervention...

Project complete

Finally finished with my first run at the closet...may donate a few more things but I think it 1000% better!