Less Is More?

I suppose I’m about to find out if that’s true. I’ve decided to join my husband on a quest to ‘unconsume’ this year. The basic rule is to only buy what we need. At first when he told me about this I thought he was crazy, and I guess he kinda is, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that it’s something I NEED to do.

We’ve already started by looking at what we currently own and re-evaluating whether or not we actually need it. A pile has been started that is constantly being added to. Those items are to be sold or donated.

So the real question is, why did I decide to go along with this crazy plan? First off, I don’t believe in coincidences. I truly believe if you pay attention to everything around you, life will give you signs. So much has happened in the past year that has given me subtle and not so subtle hints that I need to ‘liberate’ myself of clutter. The hardest part for me was admitting to myself that it was indeed a problem, both physically and emotionally.

I need to do this to separate in my brain what is truly important in life and what is just clutter. The fact is, we are all consumers, and I have to confront the level of impact this has on my life. I was a bit shocked to find how much shit I buy, for no good reason at all. Once I got past that, something else dawned on me. I realized that this was the best way for me to see if this is in fact, why deep down, I don’t feel complete – I always feel like something is missing. Truth is, I look for things on the outside, to make me happy on the inside. Well, surprise…it’s not working. The deeper I looked into this, the more I realized that it’s not the ‘stuff’, but the searching for ‘stuff’ that may be the root of my problem. I know this is not a new concept but it finally found it’s way into my life on a personal level.

So this is what I now need to figure out.

I’ll be posting thoughts throughout the year as they apply to this journey of uncomsuming. I’ll be honest if I slip up, but even if I do, I’m sure it will provide valuable insight. My hope is that at the end of it all, there will be more room – to breathe, to grow and to receive life more intuitively.

Happy 2012! May this year inspire positive change to all.

January 1, 2012

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I totally agree that the word unconsume needs to be official! The questioning of stuff I currently own has been tougher than the act of unconsuming actually. Being someone who puts an emotional price on things is not good – I’m working on it though. It’s really awesome you’re giving it a go too Lindsay!

Lisa
Jan 10, 2012

Both you and Paul have inspired me to do something similar. I usually celebrate “reverse-Boxing Day” by sorting through my STUFF to sell/donate but this year I’ve decided to really be aware of the STUFF that I purchase so that I don’t need to go through this r-BD process.

Before buying something, ask myself “Do I really need this? Is the product bringing me pleasure” (and if not, why the heck am I buying it?) and if so “is that pleasure trying to fill a void that I can fill up from within?”.

I think it’s rad what you and Paul are doing. Way to uncomsume!

PS We really need the word “unconsume” to be added to the dictionary.

Lindsay
Jan 10, 2012

It’s definitely a process and certainly will present a few challenges. The accumulation always seems to happen with me as well but I’m now aware and working on it.
We’re also hitting the road in the flying toaster for a few months so hopefully that gives us some insight as to what we ‘truly’ need. Best of luck Zina on your journey and safe travels in your Bambino!

Lisa
Jan 8, 2012

I have the hardest time with this. I can live with very little, and often do, but every time I settle in one place, I just seem to accumulate…stuff. I haven’t worked out why, either. It’s like so much dandruff, collecting on my life’s shoulders. But I have to divest myself again in the next couple of weeks and months, because I’m shoehorning myself into the Bambino, so that ought to help. I hope.