practice mindful consumption

that I have bought a few things foolishly of late. I chalk it up to January doldrums but resolve to do better.
On the positive side I am:
-recycling more items
-reusing packaging materials in my art projects
-remembering my cloth shopping bags and using them (almost always)
-trading and borrowing books rather than buying them
-canceling my magazine subscriptions as my renewals become due
-frequenting the consignment and thrift stores regularly for clothes purchases
-cooking more at home – although I did eat out twice last week
-stop myself from buying a new pair of boots – just because they were on sale

I find I do much better when I stay away from the stores unless I have a specific reason for being there. That sounds simple, but I have often used shopping as entertainment in the past.

This came to me after cleaning out a closet and finding so many shoes I don’t wear.

I am going to put a moratorium on buying myself any shoes or clothes until after the first of the year. I wear scrubs to work (and have plenty). On my days off I mostly wear jeans (and have a couple pairs that fit me fine). Of shoes I have more than I need. I got two new winter jackets last year – no worries there. I even have some dressier items in case of an event I must attend. If I absolutely need something I will try to find it used.

I had lunch with my mom. Then she wanted to look at eyeglass frames, so we ventured to the mall. We tried on a few frames, browsed a few stores, and sampled perfumes at the department store makeup counter. Then we left…without buying anything. There was nothing that I absolutely felt I needed. It feels liberating to an extent.

A small step: I have the cloth recyclable bags and have been using them more (remembering to bring them into the store is an evolving process). If I am only buying 1 or 2 items I just put them in my regular handbag. I am going to practice this until it is an ingrained habit.