I am a minimalist now, but it took me a long time to realise that buying stuff wasn’t the answer to making me happy. Some people believe that happiness lies in a ‘click’ or a ‘buy it now’ but I’m sorry to tell you- it doesn’t and here’s why.
Minimalism on Female First
Any purchase you make will be a novelty at first: But the reality is, this wears off eventually. It may take hours, days or months, but everything has an expiry date for when that retail therapy ‘buzz’ fades. When an item is no longer new and shiny, becomes unoriginal or turns into the ‘norm’ in your home- it will no longer bring you the excitement it once did. Think about things you have bought in the past that you were eager to own and consider how you feel about them now. Do you even own them anymore?
Shopping is often less about the stuff and more about the people: Think about your most recent shopping trip- did you go with someone else? If this is the case- do you remember the conversations you had and the memories you made more than the things you bought? Chances are- the answer to this question is ‘yes’. This is because there is more value to be had in spending time with others than acquiring stuff. Instead of going shopping on your next meeting- why not go out for lunch or meet up for a coffee instead?
Shopping uses up energy you could be expending elsewhere: Think of your last shopping excursion- battling through the crowds, wandering around aimlessly to find something you never knew existed, finding your size or preferred colour, wondering if you had enough money, waiting in a queue- was this enjoyable or more of a hassle? Did you feel tired afterwards? What could you have been doing instead? Shopping uses up valuable energy that you could be injecting into something more worthwhile.
Shopping absorbs your time: Consider how much time you spend in the shops, looking for things online, ordering stuff, checking your bank account, sending things back. All of this takes up time. So, when you reach for your phone to look for the next ‘must have’ item- think about what you are sacrificing for this. Time with your partner, time with friends, time with family, time spent on your passion, time spent on your health. All of which are far more important than items to wear or put in your home.
Shopping costs money that could go elsewhere: It’s obvious- but anything you buy reduces the amount in your bank account- thus reducing the opportunities that are available to you. Money that you could be saving up or spending in a more meaningful way. Although money doesn’t bring happiness either- saving it helps you to achieve your dreams of travelling, having a place to call home or having a secure future for instance. If you are not spending money on things- you can spend it on people and on experiences instead. You will get far more out of a day out with your kids than from a new sweater. You will get more fulfilment from a meal out with your partner than in a new ornament for your home.
All things come to the end of their life: Things wear out, they break, they don’t fit anymore, they fade, they become redundant. Memories are forever, experiences are the gifts that keep on giving and we remember people fondly even after they leave this life. The same can’t be said of stuff.
There is always something new to tempt you: Retailers are constantly coming up with new ‘essentials’; seasonal colours that you ‘need’ to wear when the time is right, gadgets that will make your life ‘better’ and items that will make your home more in-keeping with the current ‘trends’. There will always be something newer and more impressive that comes along- leaving you with discontentment over the things you bought before. You are setting yourself up for failure when shopping for unnecessary items.
Shopping does not equal happiness- buy only the items you need- purchasing anything above and beyond this is robbing you of things you can’t get back.
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