Friday, September 2, 2011

Well, hello there. I've been thinking about writing again for quite some time. Over the weekend, at my 25th high school reunion - the 40's are the new 30's ya know - I heard from a few old friends that they actually read this little blog. Plus, I've been feeling the pull of not buying anything new nipping (chomping and drawing blood is more like it) at my heels and wallet.

An update - since I last wrote, I have added quite a bit to the old Macy's credit card. I didn't walk into the place for an entire year and then the beginning of March hit and I went a little nutty, really. What did I buy, you ask? Well, I did buy a vacuum cleaner which is allowed on the purchasing diet, but I mostly bought CRAP! Clothes and more clothes! Just how many pairs of black pants does one gal need? And then one needs new tops to go with the silly pants. It's such a mind fuck. I somehow felt justified buying things I didn't need because I had gone one whole year without doing so. What's that all about?

I liken it to falling off the wagon. While I'm not an alcoholic, I have had my brush with problem drinking. While I don't smoke anymore, it took me years, literally years, to quit. I've never really had a problem with food but I certainly can justify a large biscuits and gravy breakfast if I've run a 5K earlier in the day. And anyone that knows me well knows that I struggle with an addiction to aspirin - silly but true.

I realize now that I have to treat buying things in the same way. Truth be told, I don't have the money to spend willy nilly on stupid shit I don't need, like one more pair of black pants. I need to remember and realize that it's not only not good for my bottom line, it's not good for my mental well-being. I felt pretty great last year, not buying anything new. It really made decision-making easier and freed up money for actual life experiences instead of more things.

Well, friends, I'm starting again. I'm making a commitment today to stop my madness. Making a commitment to not buying anything new makes me feel more mindful and aware about everything, not just purchases, which in turn makes me feel more alive. Over the top? Maybe, but sometimes going a little extreme can bring you back to center.

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