Goingshopping is like visiting paradise, isn’t it? Why then, even after a binge, do wefeel dissatisfied and unsure and a strange sense of emptiness at times? As ifit was not enough and the next time we need to top that somehow? Buy more?Spend more? Go to a better place?
Overthe past years, I have reflected over this behavior pattern and learned some things,mostly inspired by a need to deploy my time and money for more fulfillingactivities.
Ireached a point when I was just done with shopping. I mean how many more storeswould I scan? How many more clothes would I buy? What would I do even if Ibought everything that I ever liked? Would that really make me feel ecstatic?
Iturned to my wardrobe and started to go through the things that I had neverworn and knew I never would. Those are the ‘mistake’ purchases. We all havethose, right? I have no idea what I was thinking when I bought this! Or why didI never try this before I bought it? Something in me made me a bit sick and Idecided that day that I would add a rule to my life. If I get something new, Ihave to decide first what I would let go of. I would assume my wardrobe has afinite capacity and at no time can I consider expanding it. New shoes? I wouldfind someone to pass on my older ones to. There are always those things whichare just lying there and my rule was quite simple. If I have not used it forover a year, through all the seasons and opportunities, chances are, it wouldnot get used in the future.
Istarted a de-clutter chain for myself. I ear-marked people I would pass thingson to “ a ‘Second Chance’ store run by autistic kids, supported by an inspiringwoman I know was a great alternative. Many other such people form part of my pass-onchain today and I realized I had set up a system for recycling things in myhouse. It is thrilling to say the least that I don’t see the things I hadbought with so much passion and effort rot away and they get another life,while making room for my new acquisitions.
I dothis for my mom when I can and have been coaching women to organize their housebetter and keep the house healthy, from inside.
Nobodylikes clutter. Clutter is depressing and does not allow you to feel great aboutthe new. Make space for the ‘new’. Be grateful for what you have had,acknowledge its presence in your life and let it go. It is an ultimate feelingof liberation. Give it a shot or just reach out if you need some help.
