In reality, most of deal with “excess”, even though we feel we are lacking.I am not sure where the line was crossed where we, as a society, went from having the essentials and being happy, to having excess that suffocates us.
I always tell my clients, clutter cleaning is like finding free money. It is also a reality check. Often, we buy things threefold because we forget we already have something, or, we just can’t find it. Do you ever have that feeling when you are getting ready to buy something that you have bought that before? You probably have!
Advertisements, sales, and in general the status quo (geared up by some great marketing firms) make us believe we constantly need MORE. Shopping is a high, spending money is an addiction.
I don’t think anyone is immune, but you can turn things around. I am not perfect, and because I live a realistic life, I completely understand why you have three of the exact same handbag, or thousands of plastic containers :).
My guilty pleasure are estate sales, as you well know. About 1-2 years ago, I made a huge coup when I bought 3 boxes of Italian & French preserving jars, some of them the large 3L size. I would have bought more if I had more $$ on me. Anyways, I uses some of them, and the rest got moved around until they ended up in a shed. The other day, I decided I wanted swap out all my Tupperware storage containers for glass (this is another post, but check your food! Glass is much better) and started making a list of how many large Mason Jars I had to buy. That night, it popped in my head that I still had BOXES of gorgeous jars somewhere in a shed! I just saved at least $100, made energy space, and honored the items I already own!
Here is a tip if you feel you “need” something:
Make a list of things you need, and put them in priority order. I love using index cards for everything, and have a NEEDS card. Write what it costs next to the item. Before you buy something big, put it on that list, even if it is for just a day or two. This will have give you time to think and prioritize. As you get something on your list, cross it out. Also, you can start looking at estate sales or online marketplaces for things. I wanted a specific IKEA desk that costs around $300. I found one on craigslist for $60, like new, and one at the Goodwill for $9.99!! Law of attraction, baby!
If you go to estate sales, have a separate “Estate Sale Wallet”. Yep, no cards, just cash. Make yourself a budget and stick to it. I usually put money mine when I sell something. This is gold when you REALLY WANT THAT ANTIQUE DRESSER THAT IS HALF OFF, but you only have $20 to spend. Be like steel. I have had situations where I was on the brink of grabbing my real wallet because I really WANTED something. You will feel like a badass by the time you get to your car because you stayed strong! If you have too many close calls, transfer your ID into your estate sale wallet before you go. No temptation!
Watch tiny home or minimalist videos and go googoo over how simple they live. With only the essentials. See how clean it is, and how easy it is to find things. Even though I still don’t know how a woman can have a whole wardrobe in one box!
The more you make minimizing, reusing, and scrutinizing purchases a mission, the easier it gets. You will go home and search if you feel you already have something, instead of just buying another. You will find it super easy to get rid of things or sell them when you look at your priority list and have a goal what to buy. Without doing it consciously, you will easily sell 3 things that should have been sold ages ago so you can buy the one thing you really need or want right now.
Now go explore that neglected shed or mystery box in your basement! You never know what treasures you might find!
Warmly,
Heike
“Not all CLUTTER is CLUTTER!”
If you are ready to make a change and shift the energy in your home, I can help! See http://www.heikesharp.com for details. Long distance & online intros coming soon!
