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!

But, it was on clearance!

I'm not a huge shopper but I do have a love for clearance sales. Over the years I've amassed massive amounts of things due to clearance sales...I mean, come on, who can pass up an item that's 90% off? This has been something that's been difficult to overcome, especially now that all the holiday items are so deeply discounted. Once again, if it's not a necessity, it's not necessary...are new burlap stockings a necessity?

Weekend Project

My first task to minimize this year is to purge and organize my closet, hopefully I don't get lost in there

I was a broke jerk!

Great article that points out many of the afflictions that plague us when we are consumed with things...I saw some of the same things in myself, which helped lead me to the idea of minimalism and decreasing my consumerism http://grist.org/living/materialism-makes-you-a-broke-jerk-says-science/

Do I make you uncomfortable?

Since beginning this journey and having discussions regarding my newly found point of view on consumerism, I've learned that people are uncomfortable with things they don't understand. We're constantly inundated with images and ideas of how our life should be and what we should strive for. Even our children are bombarded with massive advertising campaigns geared towards raising mini consumers. So, when someone decides enough is enough, it's almost strange and awkward because it goes against the norm. I've even found people explaining why they've purchased things, like they're trying to convince themselves that their purchases were necessary. If "things" make you truly happy then you should not feel guilt or remorse for owning them, they should bring you joy...and yes, I agree that some purchases do bring great joy, especially those that align us with how our life should truly be, or the life we secretly long for. What I long for is something that truly can't be bought because I've come to the realization that experiences mean so much more to me then things. But, when we're tethered to our things are we really happy or are we truly uncomfortable with our place in the world? Maybe my choices make people uncomfortable because they themselves long to become untethered and unchained, no longer owned by their things.

minimalists—anyone who’s deliberately seeking a life with less stuff—find more value in the stuff they do own. -theminimalists.com

Yes!

Making lifestyle changes can be hard. Here's a great blog post about how our mind will trick us into keeping the status quo. http://zenhabits.net/bs/

The simple things...

So, why the simplifying?

You may ask, what made you decide to begin downsizing and simplifying your life? Well, I was discussing with my husband one day what our dream life would look like when we retired and it occurred to me, why are we waiting until we retire? So, I began imagining what it would be like to live that life in the near future and what would need to be accomplished to get to that point. For those of you who may not know me, I am somewhat of a country girl who has an extreme fondness for the mountains, which were a prominent part of my upbringing in Idaho. My dream is to own a small ranch in the mountains where my family and I can thrive while working on being more self sufficient. But, to get to that place it will take paying off a small fortune of debt, thanks to my college education, and a substantial amount of savings. Therefore, I made the decision about a year ago to start paring down our lives to get to my ultimate goal. Baby steps, smaller then I would like, but those small steps are slowly preparing me for the minimalist lifestyle I am longing for.

I resolve to...

New Years resolutions abound and we all make those small promises that we will lose the weight, spend less, or (insert your resolution here). I stopped making resolutions years ago because the failure of the resolution did massive damage to my self esteem. Instead I make goals for myself, nothing too ridiculous or unattainable. So this year, my main goal is to find a hobby or pastime that I can enjoy with the kiddo, a chance for us to spend some real quality time with each other. It breaks my heart to know that before too long he will be grown and I will have missed so many opportunities to really be with him and spend that time that makes his memories. So, here's to a New Year and a new chance to live the life we want. I hope each of you, if you have made one, keep your resolutions and meet your goals and if by chance you don't, it's ok, there's always next year ;)