Last year, I wore the same thing almost everyday. I had bought all these clothes to wear, and then, I only wore a fraction of all of the clothes I owned. I would wake up and just grab the same thing, because it was comfortable and mindless to put together. T-shirt, jeans/leggings, jacket, boots, scarf. I had bought so many different things, but I chose to wear the same thing everyday.
Fashion is a large form of self expression, and my expression was laziness, and not really me.If I got rid of all the stuff I didn't wear, my wardrobe would than be substantially more ME. The minimalist approach to my wardrobe would make my wardrobe effortless. Every piece would have multiple uses, multiple outfit opportunities. I would be able to wake up in the morning and know what I want to wear, because there would be fewer possibilities. I have three white t-shirts; why do I need three white t-shirts if I can only wear one at a time? The two others are completely useless to me. I have so many duplicates of the same thing. Thinking I need them when they don't serves no purpose in my life but to become clutter.
Why is it so hard to get rid of all the stuff I don't use? You would think if these pieces of clothing actually had meaning, then it would validate how hard it is to get rid of them. But, these things have no real point in my life. They're just things. But, why does it feel like every time I throw them away apart of myself is thrown away.
"The things you own, end up owning you."
-Chuck Palahniuk
We've all been conditioned to believe that the more you have, the more successful you are. We live in the world of consumerism, where more is better. We keep buying things to validate our existence.
"We are consumers. We are the byproducts of a lifestyle obsession."
-Chuck Palahniuk
We're force-fed the newest products that claim to make our lives better in some way. The feeling of accomplishment when you buy something is fleeting.
"Reject the basic assumptions of civilization-especially the importance of material possessions."
-Chuck Palahniuk
For someone who wants to see the world, money is always the massive mountain staring me down. How will I fund my travels? First, I could stop wasting my money on impulse buying. I could be saving that money for plane tickets, or new hiking gear.
Without worrying about the next thing you are going to buy, you could focus on yourself. Making yourself a better person without worrying about your aesthetic. Start getting rid of what is cluttering your life, so you can start focusing on what really matters: true happiness, family, love.
I recently got rid of 60% of my wardrobe. I still have so much excess, and I plan on downsizing again. It really is hard to get rid of things I think I need. Things that the idea of owning makes me feel better about my self, but the actual act of owning is pointless. I buy things just to buy things; I feel like that is the hardest part about downsizing. It's changing your mindset to not want to buy anymore, to be absolutely content with what you already have and not seek validation out of objects. Learning to resist the urge all around me. Having enough willpower to say no.
I don't want what I own to define who I am.
