Decluttering - alternative way, mindful accumulation?

FrugalWorker

Wow - feels like you're over analyzing it. Get rid of stuff you don't like or use. Don't let anything in to your house that you don't want.
Simples.

Don't over analyse your wardrobe. There's no magic number. Get rid of clothes / shoes that you don't wear and ones you do wear but really shouldn't. When I did that I realised that there were some gaps in my clothes.... and it wasn't that I needed to cut back.

May be its easier for me - I'm not sentimental, like things clean, hate shopping and comsumerism.

As an aside I would be very wary of focusing on your house/possessions of being a reflection of you and your family. I used to keep books that I had to read or that I'd read. They drained me out as I kept looking at them as the person I aspired to be, but got frustrated as I hadn't read them all. similarly, keeping too much wool, I get frustrated as it's a sign of the scarf I never fininshed knitting, etc... I'm me, I may change what I love who I love, etc... I don't need to be limited by possessions. Don't get me wrong, people will get a sense of me when they come in my home - BUT, it doesn't define me.

dragonlily

I have just had a major success, I have just had a massive empty of my wardrobe and packed up in two large storage bags probably two thirds of my clothes including anything whatsoever that is black.

I've not gone for a true capsule wardrobe (as there is plenty room in my wardrobe for a bit more than the bare bones capsule) so have based it round navy and grey trousers. I m fair so have gone for predominately soft pastels. Main colours are coral, pale green and blues from baby blue to royal blue. I have made sure I have gym stuff, casual and work clothes. It has made me realise that all I do want to buy is going to be some new sandals as the last pair were worn out last summer, and a new raincoat. I am so excited about trying it out!

As an aside I would be very wary of focusing on your house/possessions of being a reflection of you and your family. I used to keep books that I had to read or that I'd read. They drained me out as I kept looking at them as the person I aspired to be, but got frustrated as I hadn't read them all. similarly, keeping too much wool, I get frustrated as it's a sign of the scarf I never fininshed knitting, etc... I'm me, I may change what I love who I love, etc... I don't need to be limited by possessions. Don't get me wrong, people will get a sense of me when they come in my home - BUT, it doesn't define me.

I think this has not come across in the way I intended. I am becoming more and more conscious of the whole aspirational buying into something mentality. For me, I guess I am just wanting to actually do more of the opposite i.e. consciously free myself from the tyranny of items defining me. So, actually doing what you say and ditching the things you think you keep because one day you will do whatever with them, and instead have things that are useful and reflect you in the present. LOL, probably getting too deep again. I know, unfortunately for me it is my personality, my life would probably be more simple without all the analysis! x

squiggles

Valli wrote: »

I think Martin has already hit the nail on the head here with his money saving mantras!

So, when shopping you should be asking...

Do I need it?
Can I afford it?
Is it worth it?
Will I use it?

Just add in. Marie's mantra

Does it spark joy?

And if you answer no to ANY of these mantras don't buy it!

I read on the forum many years ago (think it was either the debt or savings section)

"Buy nothing unless you can eat it"

moneyistooshorttomention

I've been "working on it" for a while re possessions. It was more difficult I felt personally until I'd swopped to the house I will probably stay in (as I felt to some extent "How can I tell exactly what I will require till then?" - as I'd had some things for years that were for the house-I-was-going-to-have - rather than the one I actually had at the time).

That being a house with a proper garden (for my gardening hobby) and better size kitchen (for my cooking hobby). I've got that house now - so can better focus on what I actually require.

Possessions that reflect oneself - there you have me to some extent. As some of the clothes I have are ones I've not worn since moving here (too smart/not warm enough/etc) - but I'm keeping them for visits back to Home Area (smarter/warmer). I am sticking to only buying any new clothes if they will do for both Here and Home Area - so I guess that's a start:rotfl:

I tried scanning Pinterest pages etc on capsule wardrobes the other day and got a bit floored by the fact they seem to be based around colours like black/navy/etc. I see that that makes sense in many ways - but now I'm in my 60s colours like that feel too dark for my "faded" colouring. So - I guess that's me unable to do that then - even without the "gotta do for two locations" when it comes to buying new clothing...:cool:

dragonlily

I tried scanning Pinterest pages etc on capsule wardrobes the other day and got a bit floored by the fact they seem to be based around colours like black/navy/etc. I see that that makes sense in many ways - but now I'm in my 60s colours like that feel too dark for my "faded" colouring. So - I guess that's me unable to do that then - even without the "gotta do for two locations" when it comes to buying new clothing...

How about basing on around grey, white, green etc, that might work better for you. I don't think there is a need to base around a dark colour particularly as we come into spring x