This past year has been quite the year.
A time of tremendous change, turbulence, and a year to reflect on our own truth, priorities and values. I’ve been reading, painting, writing….oh, and completed another massive closet purge and clean-out. Ahhhh, it felt sooooo good.
I’ve written about this before on this blog, but it bears repeating again: I’ve given up the fashionista and shopaholic life for a more reasonable and conscious existence. They say that we come here to teach what we had to learn and what we had to heal…For me, it was to become more concious, because for a long time, I wasn’t. I bought all kinds of stuff and junk to prove I was somebody and to show my self-worth.
Although I had already begun making massive changes in my life, and was well underway to shop local, second hand, vintage and and less, I’ve decided to give up more things that are not good for the planet.
So here’s a list of the things that I’ve let go of in 2020 and that I’ll continue doing so next year:
- Take away coffee or tea in “throw away” cups. While I do enjoy my occasional take-out chai latte, going forward I’ll be doing so in a reusable cup. I have found too many empty cups in the trash lately not to make this important change.
- “Shiny stuff” sold at the cash. You know what I mean, those little shiny objects and knick knacks sold when you’re in the check-out line, all those things calling your name like kitchen towels, napkins, disco pens ( although I love my disco, I don’t need any more shiny objects, thanks), unicorn notebooks, and candy in every possible type, flavour, and color ( which usually makes me drool.. but I do resist.). Anyway, the point is that unless I absolutely need something, I walk on by…like in that classic 70s tune by Dionne Warwick.
- Uncomfortable shoes. I used to buy TONS of shoes, in all different styles, price ranges and materials. Sadly, I rarely wore any of them. After moving back to Canada from from New York City years ago, I sold a few dozen pairs, some of which had never even seen the light of day outside my closet. No more of that. I now wear comfortable, quality shoes and, only occasionally do I spurge on a touch of foot whimsy. I’m talking to you dear Unicorn Keds.
- Fast fashion. I haven’t set foot in a fast fashion store in years, except to buy socks for a last minute event. And to be honest, I no longer follow styles. As a matter of fact, I haven’t followed trends in years! Which is major shift for someone who onced cut out pictures in “shopping” magazines. I think there’s a pretty major disctinction between fashion and style: fashion making you crave things just because they’re in season…. and style being something innate, timeless, and unmistakably YOU. I’ll take style any day. How about you?
- Buying anything for the “free” gift. Let’s face it, there isn’t anything free in this world, and usually the cost of this so-called “free” gift, is more pollution, something this planet can do without.
- Anything made of acrylic. I used to buy acrylic socks because I found them “cute” but quickly found out they were uncomfortable, and most often, would disintegrate in the wash. I only buy things that can “breathe,’ so no more holiday themed socks or those cute ones sold at the local drug store.
- Synthetic perfumes. I’ve stopped wearing them as my skin can’t tolerate any artificial perfumes or scents….So I’ve quit buying them. Now I only buy natural essential oils and perfumes. I’m a big fan of the Goddess Line and Pacifica.
- Bathing suits that don’t fit (and the matching flip flops.) I used to buy bathing suits because I found them “sweet” which meant they inevitably stayed in my drawers and did not get any pool time.
- Cheap sunglasses. I don’t even come near them. I will stick with high quality. My next purchase will be these amazing sunglasses made from ocean trash. Thank you for making them, they rock.
- Pretty but unnecessary home accessories that are “in season” and go out of season just as fast. I used to buy tons of that stuff, only to need addtional storage for it all, which I do not have, nor want.
So that’s my list. What’s yours? What are you getting rid of? As a side note, did you know that cleaning up useless clutter and stuff creates space to bring much more abundance into your life?
Did you know cleaning and clearing is a spiritual teaching and a secret that will bring more abundance to you? It’s related to the law of giving and receiving and of circulation. Curious? It’s one of the topics covered in my book, Splendeur.
If you’re making a point of cutting back on your stuff, I invite you to be patient with yourself. All great things take time, including becoming a more conscious consumer. We all make mistakes, we all fall back into buying stuff we don’t need, especially in stressful times and during the holidays.
Just cultivate mindfulness, and beingness, and the next time a sparkly but unnecessary object crosses your path, take a deep breath and walk on by…
Images found via Tumblr.
Follow me on Instagram:
Follow me on YouTube
