USE MY STUFF

Today I wore a pair of beautiful shoes I had been hoarding for one year. They were always too pretty or flashy or expensive to wear but today I just forced myself to wear them.

I have not been true to myself on this goal in the past. I have made some progress but I know I have not been doing my best.

1. No spending on anything other than food, bills, toiletries, donations, services and events until January 2010 (that’s six months time). That should give me enough time to use up most of the things I have fully. I joined up with a friend on this goal. I hope this helps.
2. I have decided to make things using only my current stash of material.

Here is a photo of some dreadlock jewellery I made using wire I have had in my stash for years because I didn’t know what to do with it.

Yesterday I bought a really small travel-size bottle of body spray.

I had always wanted that scent and it was discounted etc. etc. blah.. blah.. Point is I did something I said I wasn’t going to do. I feel like crap about it. I think this is probably part of the reason my day didn’t go very well today. I need the discipline to do what I say I will do.

Yesterday I wore one of my “going out” outfits, my new special occasion handbag and sprayed myself with expensive cologne just to go about town and run errands. It was nerve wracking but worth it. I thought I’d stick out like a sore thumb but I didn’t.

I resisted buying more underwear today. I even put back all the tops I had taken up to buy. I did break down and buy a piece of fabric at a steal but it doesn’t matter if it was a steal. It set me back with this goal because I didn’t need it. I just liked the colour and thought it was really soft =-{.

Too many notepads, diaries and notebooks lying around this place. Some of them I completely forgot about. I love writing and making lists and such but this is ridiculous! There is officially a freeze on paper too.

I can buy no more perfumes or body sprays. I definitely don’t need any more shoes other than a pair of black wedges, brown wedges and black flat sandals. No more white shirts either.

I have been on a drive to de-clutter my stuff.

It is much harder than I think such a seemingly simple thing should be. For the most part I like about 98% of the things I own. It is hard for me to toss them. My clothes fit or will soon fit or have marked sentimental value (just 6 or so pieces which don’t take up much space). My books are useful and I want to read them (minus a few which I will give new homes).

I realised last night that the reason I have so much stuff is because I fear scarcity. We didn’t always have stuff as a child and now that things are better I have been accumulating but not USING stuff. Net gain- NOTHING. If I don’t make use of what I have I still don’t really have it do I?

Stuff includes books, skills, talents, strengths, clothes, support of friends and family, love, lessons taught, advice received.