6/3/20 Let's hop right to it. I try to be a minimalist. I continue to declutter as I feel more freedom when I let go of things. Decluttering is always a work in progress. Kind of like a website. I like focusing on the idea of eco-minimalism. To me, that means any opportunity that having less will help the environment, I take it. (That's actually quite often). I really think before I buy material things because a lot of the time, they aren't essential. I have set down a rule to help me stay with a small amount of possessions. I call it the minimalism rule. However, it is more of a process. It is "one in, one out". In summary, this means anytime I want to bring a new item into my life, I take one out that no longer sparks joy.
1. I only keep things in my possession if I use them on a monthly basis. This is the first step in being minimalistic. Of course, this can fluctuate. It just needs to be reasonable. That is how minimalism works. You define what you need. I define what I need.
2. Have multipurpose things. If I can use one item for multiple purposes, I do. This means I don’t have as many things to tend to or care for.
3. If I want something new, I choose one thing I don’t need, put it on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or some other online retailers and give it a price and wait a month. Over that month I live without it. If a) I was fine without it for a month, b) and able to sell it, c) I still want the new item after a month, I am one step closer. If it doesn’t sell in a month, I make it free as a way to get rid of it.
4. If the object is a replacement, and would be needed before getting rid of another item, I wait a month and do the same thing. Over this month I ask myself some questions and consider why I need a new one and how necessary it is. Other questions include, is it for aesthetics? Is mine not repairable? Is it sellable? If after answering the questions and waiting a month I still want/need the item, I buy the item and try to sell the older item. I have found waiting a month is helpful because most times I learn I do not actually need the item or it will not keep me happy in the long run.
5. There are more questions I like to think about: what purpose and value will this bring to my life? What else could this money be spent on that is more worthwhile? Who will I be supporting if I buy this item? Do I want to support them? Where and who made this? Is it getting shipped overseas? How long is that distance? Is there a better option? Will I use this often or at least once a month? Can I afford this easily? Quality over quantity? Is this timeless? Why/ how do I feel about buying this? Is it to make me feel better? Do I need it? How will my life change with it? How will my life change without it? Do I love it?
6. I answer all these questions over the month and get into the headspace that is needed to buy it. If at any point during the month, I do need the product I am trying to sell, I must take it off sale and the month restarts. This simply tells me it is not yet time to get rid of that item and I still use it in my life.
7. Money: It’s okay if I have a negative profit, this is not my main source of income. If I make a few bucks in the process, cool. But it’s not necessary. Another idea is to trade. A really good website for this is BUNZ. (Not sponsored). However, I only use it if I find just what I need there.
In the end, my goal is to have the lowest impact on our environment as possible. By buying nothing at all, not only do I save money, but I save the Earth too.
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