Choose Wisely: Buying to Transforms Our Lives

After Christmas, I dropped off outgrown and unloved clothing at a charitable donation center. The line was long. It makes sense–in with the new and out with the old. The holidays bring a new deluge of stuff to houses already brimming over with stuff. I like the minimal look for aesthetics, but my house looks like the holidays spewed itself throughout, and no home edit can fix the chaos. Cabin socks, blankets, candies, kitchen gadgets, books, candles, clothes, and holiday decor lay everywhere!

There is not much we can do about Christmas past, but this trip to the donation center reminded me that I have hopes and goals to become a more thoughtful consumer, and next year, Christmas gift-giving can be a part of this goal. 

I recognize the generosity of our family and friends is precious, and there is much gratitude for that. (Receiving a gift is something that many did not experience during the holidays.) But chances are, if you are reading this, you may have given or received a few perfunctory gifts--obligatory or generic gifts that get the job done and will likely end up in the landfill within the year. Many items are disposed of after one use or have a relatively short life. 

In truth, I took five bags of clothes to the donation center. These clothes had been cycled between friends, cousins, and sisters--truly, a group effort in purchasing fast fashion.  I volunteered to donate them on behalf of the group. While in line, I thought about all the time, money, and resources put towards these clothes. Reselling, recycling, or trashing uses more time and resources. (An estimated 84% of donated clothing is destined for a landfill or an incinerator, according to the EPA.) Then, I thought about a pair of jeans I own. They were an investment for me, but I have worn them hundreds of times. Each wear has financially cost less than a quarter. Some fast fashion choices cost $25 or more per wear when worn once. My jeans will be holey and spent before they are trashed. I cannot say the same about the inexpensive Amazon sweater I purchased and stretched out after one wash. 

I question my actions a lot, but I never question my actions during the 10 minutes it took to buy a cute, trendy sweater at a discount. I need to consider these actions more and become a more conscious consumer. There is a British designer I love so much, and whose products are more sustainable since they are made well and are classic designs. I do not own a single piece because of the price tag--truth be told, the price isn’t much more than the jeans I invested in. It’s time for me to cultivate a closet and life that leans on quality, more loveable goods. I need to embrace my inner Goldilocks and find those things that are just right for me and will last longer than a year.

I’m not the first one to talk about buying less but better. A Google search will reveal it as a common thread weaved throughout minimalist and frugal living forums; this used to be the only way to buy. The wool blankets at my grandparents’ homes were old but just as warm as the day they bought them. Solid dining room chairs from the 60s are still standing strong today. However, corporations are about profits, and planned obsolescence has been trending for over 90 years. But as a consumer, I (we) have choices. Some companies and products exist on the premise of buying once. Le Creuset comes to mind with their lifetime warranties. Their Dutch oven retails for $279, but you will never need to purchase it again. I bought a discounted, generic Dutch oven from a store no longer in business. It was never as solid as the Le Creuset version, and its life span is ending. It was a $90 purchase that I will keep making. What would have been my better option? New and shiny several times or buy once? It truly depends on your goals. For me, it’s time to be more conscious--with my time and money. 

Next year, I will find practical ways to live and buy–having gratitude for what I already have and optimizing my wallet and time--supporting my life in a way that makes me feel whole and healthy. These actions may seem very Pollyanna, but how I spent my money and time this year wasn’t aligned with my heart, so consuming in the new year may mean taking time to gather up cash and spending more time discovering what I really love, which will save me more time and money in the long run. 

The Sirens of Consumerism are so loud that sometimes I can’t hear what I truly want or need anymore. The same may be true for you. I thought my word of the year would be Grace because we all need that, but in reviewing this past year and how I want the New Year to emerge, my word of the year is Consciousness. It seems like a strange word to choose. But I’ve been living on autopilot by listening to the Sirens, social media, the Joneses, and whatever else grabs my attention. This new year is a time to find a new awareness and to become conscious of my thoughts, motivations, and the real/physical world around me. This year, I hope you explore this with me.