Less is More

I’m tired of being sold to. Even worse? I’m tired of selling to myself.

We are surrounded by a 24/7 loop of commercials, algorithms, and influencers telling us that happiness is just one more checkout button away. I’ve fallen for it more times than I care to admit. But looking around at the mountains of 'shit' I own, I’ve realized that my life has become a collection of things I didn't need, bought with money I should have kept. I’m done with the performance of consumerism. I’m ready for the 'Less.' I’m ready for the 'More' that has nothing to do with a shopping cart.

Let’s dive into solving this problem (It’s me girl, I’m the problem).

Quite Literally, Buy Less

This one is simple on paper, but a battle in practice: Stop spending money on things you do not need. My new golden rule is the 24-Hour Buffer. Before I hit 'complete purchase,' I walk away. Sure, there are exceptions for the rare, genuine 'need' or a long-awaited deal, but let’s be real: 99.9% of the time, I don’t need it. I’ve found that by giving my brain a day to cool off, the 'must-have' urge evaporates. About 90% of the time, I forget the item even existed. Turns out, I didn't want the product; I just wanted the hit of the hunt.

Declutter

For the last few months, I’ve been on a mission to excavate my own life. I’m going through everything I own and purging the ridiculous amount of stuff that was either never used, rarely touched, or bought in a moment of 'what was I thinking?' Because the process is overwhelming, I’ve mastered the 'Power Hour'—every few weeks, I spend sixty minutes ruthlessly sorting through clothes, jewelry, and those endless stacks of puzzles. The results? My home finally has room to breathe, and I’ve made over $2,000 on Poshmark in the last year. I’m literally getting paid to reclaim my space.

Get Intentional

Identify your 'Why.' What are you actually saving for? What are the things you’d do if you had more time and more capital? Write them down and keep that list within arm's reach. Every time you’re tempted to click 'Buy,' force yourself to answer one question: Which do I want more? Is it the $80 sweater, or is it that flight to Europe? Is it the designer handbag, or is it the freedom of an early retirement? Face the choice head-on. Are you chasing a 20-minute dopamine hit, or are you building the life you actually want to live?

Be Creative

You don't have to click 'buy' to get the thrill of something new. Since I work remotely but travel often, I’ve realized that investing in a stagnant 'work wardrobe' is a financial trap. Instead, I rent. It’s fiscally responsible and keeps my look fresh without the clutter. For events, stop buying one-hit-wonder dresses that will just collect dust—borrow from a friend and trade stories instead. And if you’re as appalled as I am by the price of denim lately? Stop overpaying. Buy a high-quality pair from a thrift store or pull an old favorite from the back of the closet and take it to a tailor. A $20 tailoring job will always look more expensive than a $200 pair of jeans that don't quite fit.

At the end of the day, you’ve got to commit to making a change. It’s not easy (it’s me still struggling to part with the jacket I haven’t worn in 2 years) but it’s so beyond worth it for the freedom from clutter and financial gain. Got tips? Let me know, I’m always looking for ways to kick consumerism’s ass!

Tidying Up - Hunger Games Style

Ya’ll Marie Kondo is THE pop culture moment. Her book and her show on Netflix have inspired an entire movement. Simplifying clutter has been around for a few years but in late 2018/early 2019 with everything going on, we seem to have become addicted to minimalism and countering consumerism.

I love that life and I’ve been working to consume less, make smarter purchases and overall spend my money on experiences rather than things. Where I’d also like to extend this idea of tidying up is to the people we surround ourselves with.

The idea of what brings you joy very much applies to human relationships as well. We deserve peace, simplicity, and joy in the friendships we build with friends and family.

So let’s get Hunger Games about this idea of tidying up. If a person does not bring you joy, let them go.

I know, there are so many complications with that. From work to friends to family, sometimes you simply cannot remove yourself from a relationship entirely. But there are people who can be bid farewell. Do so. And then minimize your time with people who don’t bring you joy but are a necessity sometimes within your circle of life.

When you do this, watch how much calmer, simpler, and more joyous your life becomes.

When you remove the drama and negativity piece by piece, you are brought peace.

As I get older, I become less bothered by people who serve no purpose for me. On social media, I block people who are nothing but headaches. That’s the beauty of social media, we choose the content we engage with. In real life, when friends or family members bring me great stress, I limit my time with them, phase them out, or directly let them know the relationship is no longer working.

And I commit to it.

That’s what the biggest piece is - staying strong. If you are able to make these choices confidently and truly stick with them - that is where you will find the benefits. If you’re constantly stressing about the outcomes, what others think about you or these choices, you loose the opportunity to enjoy the benefits.