An article popped up in my news feed a few days ago about the "de-influencer" movement and it made my day. It's high time for less of the "clothing haul" and "home makeover" influencers who've built an entire brand on consumption.
Full disclosure: At times I have fallen prey to trends and products pushed by a promoter.
In the last while though, my interests have leaned towards minimalism. It feels good to buy less, make do with what I have, and get rid of things I don't use. Recently I read a book that inspired me even more.
The Year of Less is Cait Flanders' month by month account of how she lived a year on 51% of her income, ridding herself of 75% of her belongings in the process. She allowed herself to shop for groceries and kitchen supplies, cosmetics and toiletries only when she ran out, cleaning products, gifts for others, and items on her approved shopping list. The approved shopping list consisted of several items of clothing she legitimately needed, such as boots and a sweatshirt. It also allowed for replacing items that wore out. She was NOT permitted to buy take-out coffee, clothes, shoes, accessories, books, household items, and electronics. Cait describes how she once accumulated $30,000 of consumer debt by overspending. In her year of less she sorted through all her possessions room by room and donated or got rid of most of her clothing, books, and other belongings. She faced some challenging times in her year-long experiment, but ultimately it taught her what she valued most: her family and friends. She also found the courage to switch to a job that paid less but was more satisfying, because she proved to herself she didn't need more money to have a fulfilling life.
Now that is a lifestyle worth promoting.
Yes, yes a thousand times yes!
ReplyDeleteAlso read Joshua Beckers The More of Less. Excellent book on downsizing.