No matter how good we are at letting go, we also need to get a handle on acquiring things, to keep our spaces clear of clutter.
Some of us scroll online store apps to pass the time and make one-click purchases in the spur of the moment. Some of us bring home sidewalk finds that we didn’t need. When considering our homes, it doesn’t matter whether we paid for the item or it was given to us for free, but there it now is. Inside our homes.
Once an item has entered our premises, we will then have to clean it, store it, maintain it, and ultimately decide how to dispose of it.
Here are 3 strategies for how to stop acquiring clutter:
1. Refuse Free Stuff That You Don’t Need
When someone offers a poster to go with an event ticket, a backpack to go with a work event, a water bottle from participating in a race, stickers for your kids, free books to take home…
Politely say no.
If you’re given a bracelet or a lanyard ID holder that you will need during the event, see if they will take it back after the event.
And that cool piece of furniture on the sidewalk, just walk on by.
2. Unsubscribe From All Marketing Emails
Unsubscribing from marketing emails is an extremely good way to stay away from temptations. You won’t miss what you didn’t know was offered.
Even if you do purchase items from the store, there is no need to receive their emails. Unsubscribe every time.
If you’re afraid of missing out on a good sale, it’s pretty easy to know when stores have sales because they happen at the same times of the year and the offers are the same whether you clicked their email or not.
And remember, the best deal is to keep your money and not buy things you don’t need.
3. Postpone Buying Decision
Sometimes it can be difficult to know whether you really need an item or just really want it. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting items as long as they don’t end up as clutter soon after.
One of the best ways to distinguish a want from a need is simply to wait.
You can decide to wait a day, a week, or a month before you make the purchase depending on the item.
You can keep a running list of items you think you need. You can do this on paper, save items online, or take a photo of the item.
Many needs will vanish, or change, with time.
If you struggle with a particular type of buying, say a one-click buying from an online giant, you can add barriers for yourself by removing the app from your phone.
If you struggle with buying a particular type of item, say books or clothing, see if you can channel that energy differently.
If you keep buying books, familiarize yourself with all that the library system offers, and always check the library records first.
If you keep buying clothes, bags, or shoes even though your closet is full, it’s time to ask yourself what you really need. Because most likely it's not another pair of shoes, it’s something more.
You can even challenge yourself to go for a whole month, or longer, without buying anything.
"Refuse what you do not need."
Bea Johnson, Zero Waste Home