It has now been 5 months since I started the shopping ban on 1 October 2018.
Some of these months have been crazier than others, for sure. This past month I was backpacking for a week, did some traveling, and did some more decluttering. I also came home with a few souvenirs from my adventures - a magnet, sticker, koozie, and tshirt. All from my trip to Phoenix or from the NOLS course. I also purchased some household items (soap, toilet paper, etc).
As I go through my closet looking for a shirt, if I come across something I haven't worn in ages, I purge it. Same with every other area of my house. Things I'm not using need to just go. I am offloading all of the things I don't need! I find myself having an ever present box for Goodwill that I drop things into nearly daily.
I've definitely become more aware of all my purchases and can remember every little item I've purchased in the past few weeks. Every item. Before I started this journey I maybe wouldn't have thought too much about every little expense, and also maybe wouldn't have remembered every single item purchased. Now I'm so much more conscious of it. I fretted over my souvenir purchases after my NOLS course, because they didn't technically meet the shopping ban parameters (in that I wasn't international) but they are all useful. And having a use is good. I don't need any decorative nonsense without a use.
I have very little urge to go on a shopping bender these days. What I want to do instead is learn more crafts and make gifts that people will love and cherish. I'm working on finishing a cross stitch I started during the furlough that is of Joshua Tree. After I finish that, I'm going to try my hand at quilting! There's so many fabulous patterns for quilts that look amazing and I want to try it. Doesn't seem to be a hugely expensive hobby (comparatively) but time intensive, so will keep me occupied for awhile. So more bang for my hobby buck and the outcomes are useful and all of those things are good.
I still have a ways to go on the decluttering but it's a step by step process. So I will continue to do that. And I will keep on keeping on like I have been.
Moving forward, I think I will modify my approach for the next 6 months. I'm going to think about it in March and lay it out more concretely, but right now my thoughts are -
- NEW: Allow purchases for a cause. Example: a piece of jewelry that is handmade & supports ocean conservation.
- NEW: Used clothing primarily. New clothing is okay if used is not possible, and then strive for responsibly made clothes. Sometimes technical gear like my field clothing can't be found used but if it can, then I'll go that route. But I'm still continuing to not buy anything unless it's absolutely necessary.
- Household consumables still allowed as long as not duplicated (toiletries, cleaning products, pet supplies, home improvement materials, incense).
- Travel souvenirs are allowed still. These are typically earrings, fridge magnets, or books from the country I'm traveling in.
- NEW: Books are my weakness, so my hierarchy for reading is as follows: library, used from Thrift Books, Kindle digital version, or new as a last resort. I often come across books that are not available at the library or used, so I'm allowing Kindle books to be purchased now (limit 2 or $20 per month). As a last resort I'll buy the book new but only if all other options have been exhausted.
- Purchases to replace legitimately worn out items are still allowed.
- NEW: I'm nixing the pre approved shopping list.
- Activities are still totally allowed and encouraged. Examples: race entry fee, dinner with friends, etc.
- NEW: Fitness related purchases are allowed, IF I am replacing something worn out (like running shoes), OR repairing something that is broken (like my bike), OR trying my hand at a new sport and need equipment.
I feel pretty comfortable with these new rules for the next 6 months but I'll review and decide for sure in the next update!
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