Ah, January. It’s the month to make and break resolutions.  We start the new year with so much hope for better results this time around — but in two short weeks, most of our good works have fallen to the wayside.  How are you ever going to have a life that is a TEN — Triumphant, Efficient, Nurturing — when you’re so focused on buying new stuff?  I always say: start small and build motivation on little successes.

So instead of trying new things to change your life – which is really hard, why not STOP doing the old harmful thing – which is a little easier?

It’s so easy to buy anything.  Maybe you buy new clothes instead of doing laundry, buy food while your pantry is full, buy more craft supplies while a room full of supplies sits unused or push old things into your garage when the new comes in.  You are covered up in stuff with nowhere for it to go.  It becomes overwhelming.  It is suffocating.  

CONSUMING!

Buying, buying and more buying. Also known as the big waste of time and resources.

A New Years Challenge: Say bye to buying.

In place of buying, commit to One Month of No Purchases (except for essentials, such as food, gas and medications).  If you can commit, four huge things will happen in your life:

• You’ll SAVE TIME, which will free your days to…
  • put away your holiday decor (if you’ve done this, skip to see a movie)
  • garden (trim roses)
  • write someone a letter or write your thank you notes
  • craft and make things with your current supplies
  • check off items on your to-do list
  • See a movie
  • Take a walk
  • Visit an art museum
  • Prepare your taxes — you’ll thank us in April
•  You’ll SAVE MONEY, which will free you to…
  • save for a vacation
  • buy an “investment” piece
  • pay off credit cards
  • save for retirement
• You’ll REDISCOVER LOST ITEMS, which will free you to…
  • remember you have some pretty amazing things
  • use discovered items before they expire
  • save more money because you are using what you already have
• You’ll LET GO OF UNWANTED THINGS, which will free you to…
  • decide whether to use what you already have, or get rid of something you don’t like or need
  • give to a friend who would use it
  • donate to charity to help someone in need
  • free up your space so you can breathe

Filling your time with anything but shopping is a win-win for you in every area of your life. Nurture yourself by saving time and money, and be more efficient with your time by getting things done and maintaining less stuff.  Replace shopping for your “wants” with focusing on the few you things you actually “need.”

I believe this one change will lighten your daily load.  Are you brave enough to try?  

How has “no shopping” been working for you? Leave a comment to let me know!