Hello, and first of all, thank you so much for your newsletters. They’re always a treat to read. As far as clutter and consumption— I’m probably not alone in having categories in which I do really well (I don’t have many shoes, and I pretty much have a capsule wardrobe, and I always wear the same jewelry), and others in which I do really badly (books, and yarn.). I’m using the public library and trying to read more ebooks, and with my daughter taking up knitting and crochet and teaching her friends (college in Minnesota is cold!), I’m trying to just give yarn away if they like it. As for the books, we have bookshelf space which we have agreed not to expand (my husband is as bad as I am about books), so that helps me set an upper limit. And like others writing here, I’m trying to shop my own home for things instead of buying more. And a one-in = one-out policy. :)
Hi Hillarie - Years ago I shopped myself into bankruptcy trying to buy the perfect life. If only I had those sheets my bedroom would look like the one in the catalogue! After my bankruptcy I bought a house that came with a ninety minute each way commute to a job I didn’t love. That led me to buying lots of fabric for all the beautiful quilts I would make in my (practically nonexistent) free time. Each time I ordered fabric or visited the quilt shop I was so happy! Then the fabric arrived and I put it on a shelf because I didn’t have time to make quilts. Finally, about three years ago, I took a long look at things and decided to give away much of my fabric (and yarn and clothes and…). I have no children, no nieces or nephews, no younger siblings, no one to inherit all of my stuff. It’s really made me think long and hard about new acquisitions.
Hi Hillarie. First, I want to say how much I enjoy your posts. They always leave me with something to think about. As far as my consumption changes, I started buying less & “shopping “ in my own home & closet. I’m married with no kids. As I get older, I wonder what will become of my stuff when I’m gone. A bit morbid but it’s my reality. So during pandemic lockdown, I went through the house. Gave away clothes, excess appliances. Now when I have the urge to shop, I look around my house to see if I can repurpose something. If not, I’ll look online. But instead of instantly purchasing, I wait a few days. If I still haven’t purchased it, I didn’t really need it.
Hey Hillarie, I'm in the process of moving and just signed a two year lease for a small house in an extremely urban neighborhood. But in two years, I must, just must, buy a home in the country. I so want to have a daily, direct connection with nature—hope I can last two years! Interesting about that overbuying thing. I hate clutter, so it's not too difficult for me to say "no".
Hello, and first of all, thank you so much for your newsletters. They’re always a treat to read. As far as clutter and consumption— I’m probably not alone in having categories in which I do really well (I don’t have many shoes, and I pretty much have a capsule wardrobe, and I always wear the same jewelry), and others in which I do really badly (books, and yarn.). I’m using the public library and trying to read more ebooks, and with my daughter taking up knitting and crochet and teaching her friends (college in Minnesota is cold!), I’m trying to just give yarn away if they like it. As for the books, we have bookshelf space which we have agreed not to expand (my husband is as bad as I am about books), so that helps me set an upper limit. And like others writing here, I’m trying to shop my own home for things instead of buying more. And a one-in = one-out policy. :)
Hi Hillarie - Years ago I shopped myself into bankruptcy trying to buy the perfect life. If only I had those sheets my bedroom would look like the one in the catalogue! After my bankruptcy I bought a house that came with a ninety minute each way commute to a job I didn’t love. That led me to buying lots of fabric for all the beautiful quilts I would make in my (practically nonexistent) free time. Each time I ordered fabric or visited the quilt shop I was so happy! Then the fabric arrived and I put it on a shelf because I didn’t have time to make quilts. Finally, about three years ago, I took a long look at things and decided to give away much of my fabric (and yarn and clothes and…). I have no children, no nieces or nephews, no younger siblings, no one to inherit all of my stuff. It’s really made me think long and hard about new acquisitions.
Hi Hillarie. First, I want to say how much I enjoy your posts. They always leave me with something to think about. As far as my consumption changes, I started buying less & “shopping “ in my own home & closet. I’m married with no kids. As I get older, I wonder what will become of my stuff when I’m gone. A bit morbid but it’s my reality. So during pandemic lockdown, I went through the house. Gave away clothes, excess appliances. Now when I have the urge to shop, I look around my house to see if I can repurpose something. If not, I’ll look online. But instead of instantly purchasing, I wait a few days. If I still haven’t purchased it, I didn’t really need it.
Hey Hillarie, I'm in the process of moving and just signed a two year lease for a small house in an extremely urban neighborhood. But in two years, I must, just must, buy a home in the country. I so want to have a daily, direct connection with nature—hope I can last two years! Interesting about that overbuying thing. I hate clutter, so it's not too difficult for me to say "no".