I have been watching Wendy Harmer's show on the ABC, Stuff. This has really resonated for me, as I oscillate between decluttering and giving things away, and madly collecting, buying, grabbing, and 'must-having'. I know there is some psychological 'need' associated with the behaviour, and several things in this series have been 'Ah-ha' moments for me.
Two quotes that I have noted are:
- The best things in life are not things.
- The Earth pays for everything we buy.
I really agree with these. I have accumulated so many THINGS, and as all people with craft habits know, there is no better way to accumulate stuff than to learn a new craft. Then we have to store it all.
Despite this recurring behaviour, I'm actually a huge believer in reducing our footprint. The first blog I ever read and subscribed to was Consumption Rebellion, by my friend Eilleen. She opened my eyes to this consumerist behaviour, and lived it by challenging herself to not buy anything new for 12 months, except food and medicines. It's entirely do-able. She made some of the most beautiful and thoughtful birthday presents for friends' kids, found joy in simple items, and introduced me and others to the concepts of ethical goods. I am now more aware of what I am buying, particularly with coffee and chocolate. This has also made me examine why I feel the need to buy, own, and shop. I tell myself that I will Use What I Have rather than acquire more, but at times choose to ignore that, 'treat' myself, or worse, don't think about what I am doing.
On Stuff last night, someone said that it's not the physical things that we love but the memories of people or place attached to those things. That's so true. I love some things because friends, Mum, Nan, Grandad gave them to me or used to own them. Sentimental attachment. The Buddhist slant on this in last night's program was that things on their own are not a problem, but being attached to them is a problem.
My son exhibits the same behavioural traits as me in this way. He loves to have things, but doesn't really use anything. He just likes to know it's there, and he likes to be able to see it.
I realised after posting this week's This Is... that I cart around a lot of stuff in my bag. Today I tried just taking my keys and wallet out rather than a whole country, and I actually felt like something was missing.
We as craft-sters brag about our 'stash', and collect more and more beads, wool, fabric, buttons, whatever it is. I am going to TRY not to buy anything for a month that is not actually NEEDED. This may sound easy to some, but I make a lot of spontaneous purchases. Magazines, fabric, books for the kids, food when we are out, op-shop items, a bar of chocolate when I am in the queue at the supermarket or petrol station.
I will also USE what I have.
This is a great opportunity to even sell a lot of things I don't use, but knowing me, I will just give them away, which is harder to do, but more liberating! I try not to hang onto things that others could be getting pleasure from and benefiting from.
4 comments:
Maybe you could start a new movement - Don't buy anything unecessary month. I'd join in and try. I love the saying that Suze Orman says at the end of every program - People first, then money, then things.
I know exactly how you feel, watching the show has been a bit of a wake up to me as to why we behave the way we do. We started a bit of a challenge at the start of the year and haven't purchased anything new since December with the exception of school shoes that were desperately needed. It has felt great and the kids are doing really well to. Good luck with your no buying!
I've really enjoyed that Stuff series. Lots of food for thought, just like your post. Thanks!
I've been watching Wendy Harmer's show as well and feel equally inspired. I'm moving house in a few weeks and can't wait to turf out most of my useless junk, and live a more simple, more decluttered, more 'environmentally responsible' life. But I'll be turfing it to LifeLine - hopefully somebody else can do something worthwhile with all my crap.
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