I’ve recently discovered Poshmark. And Depop, and ThredUp.

Oh my.

I really, really love it.

But not for the reasons that once defined me (as a former shopaholic….No!)

Something in me has definitely shifted in recent months. Maybe it’s the fact that our “need” for clothes has diminished considerably in recent times,  (even though I do try to dress more colourfully even when I’m not really going anywhere. It’s just juicy good for the soul + mood.)

The truth is that I’m no longer filled with the uncontrollable urge to CONSUME and spend, or to buy all the shiny things.   Yes, that was me!   I once coveted almost everything fashionable on my path, especially at this time of year when receiving the September issue of Vogue. OOOH, I wanted it all! And boy, there were many, many things.    As a matter of fact, looking back, it was all too much.  Now, I know better and understand I was just trying to fill a void,  a profound sense of unhappiness, and a lack of self worth by not following my dreams and true passions. It was just another form of distraction.

Now, I try my best to shop mindfully and consciously and I buy mostly second hand.

And…if I’ve fallen in love with Poshmark (as well as Thred Up , Depop, Kijiji, and other local second hand sites), it’s not to buy anything ( at least not right now), but to sell.

If scrolling through all the things still makes my mouth water, the truth is that I’m still in the process of cleaning out my closets of things I no longer wear. It’s been quite the exercise in purging. It has taken me years, (yes years!) of getting rid of old stuff that I thought would make me happy but no longer do. They just don’t resonate with my soul any longer.   I was holding on to some of it, and even had some of it placed in storage. But honestly,, the winds of change came barrelling through my life and closets!

And man, it’s been refreshing.

I found Poshmark…and began selling fast.    I couldn’t believe how fast the things were leaving my life, and that felt sooooo good, as liberating as a full moon ritual,  a massive sage cleansing ritual and an intensive epsom salt bath all rolled into one. 

There are things I’m selling that no longer wear as they no longer reflect my personal style or the person I have become.   My style has definitely changed and evolved over time, from being label intensive and urban to boho-prairie-gypsie chic, with a touch of vintage.

The one thing I appreciate so much about Poshmark is the ease and effortlessness with which the transitions are processed, the building of a community, the quick financial transactions, and receiving  emails that include a shipping label.

The reason I  wanted to share my experience about this closet cleaning process is that I believe that holding on to old stuff isn’t good for your soul, nor your wallet.

Frances Scovel Shinn in her wonderful and inspiring book  The Game of Life and How to Play It says that gripping and holding on to things we no longer wear is bad for our energy. It’s a form of hoarding that constricts us , our space and our energy and it prevents the law of attraction from working its magic. I’ve been experimenting with this and I must say that there is some truth to it, especially given the speed at which all the unnecessary and unloved stuff is leaving my life.

Also, according to The Guardian, one in three young women, the biggest segment of consumers, consider garments worn once or twice to be old.  That is pretty shocking.   Where did we all get so off track?  I know from my own personal experience that continuously buying new stuff isn’t beneficial to your spirit, it can be toxic, as put in the quote below:

“When we make a purchase and/or get what we want, we are temporarily happy and fulfilled. But the reason for happiness is not because we got what we wanted, but because for a brief period of time, we stopped wanting, and thus we experience peace and happiness.” —Adyashanti

I consider myself to be free of all that I have sold, and that in and of itself is a major blessing. I know that it will create space to attract more blessings into my life.

So what are you waiting for to be free?

This article was not sponsored by Poshmark or any other resale site.