What I'm NOT Buying in 2017

If you know me, you'll know I am the definition of a hoarder. Up until last week, I had boxes and boxes and boxes of stuff under my bed that I haven't touched in years. Just incase. I had clothes from when I was 40kgs heavier still in my wardrobe. Just incase. Heck, I had clothes from PRIMARY SCHOOL. Just incase. I had make-up that I bought in 2010 (SEVEN YEARS AGO?!) that I'd genuinely never used. Just incase.

To put things into perspective for you - I owned over 50 scarves. I live on the Gold Coast. Why? When would I ever have a need for FIFTY SCARVES? I had a draw full of lip balm. I had over 10 unused bottles of soap from Lush. It was insanity. I didn't take any photos because it was straight-up embarrassing.

The problem wasn't excessive spending though. I'm actually a really great saver (if I do say so myself -hair flick-). The problem was my need to "stock up" on things, and my issue with throwing them away. Ever. Even if they're empty. I can honestly say I've bought about three or four make-up items in the past two years, however I had draws upon draws filled. I had two wardrobes overflowing with clothes, but can never ever find something to wear. I had a box full of boxes of products I'd once bought, because one day I might need the box of the iPod Classic I got for Christmas in 2007, you know?

I spent weeks (yes, weeks. Probably closer to months) getting rid of my stuff. I threw all the expired make up out, as well as the clothes that were ruined. I donated A LOT of stuff. At current count I've donated over 15 bags to LifeLine. I'm honestly nervous that if I was to go into my local store it would just be like walking back into my bedroom. I gave some stuff away. It was such an effort, but it's done. I can now fit all my make-up into a small bag, all my clothes fit into a small wardrobe and I have a pretty normal amount of scarves left. It was a huge process and I need to make sure it isn't going to happen again. 


So I set myself a challenge. My challenge is not buy anything in 2017. Not a single thing.

Well... that was my original challenge until someone pointed out that I'll probably need to eat and buy toothpaste and stuff. So the challenge is to not buy anything that isn't necessary. That means no new clothes, no new fuzzy socks, no new make-up, no shoes, no books, no jumpers, no candles, no unnecessary skincare products. Nothing. For twelve whole months. Not only is this going to be better for me, and better for my wallet, but also better for the environment.

Cue the minimalism. I've done my research. I've watched all the documentaries, read all the blogs, watched all the YouTube videos.. and I am SO inspired. I just can't contribute and participate in this kind of lifestyle anymore. I've always fantasied about going zero-waste and how am I supposed to do that when I own six jars of moisturiser? So. I'm not going to buy anything for a year, because I can guarantee if I need something I probably already have it. 

I'm going to make monthly posts to keep me in line showing you everything I've bought that month and I'll justify it's necessity. For example, yesterday I bought an iron. That's totally necessary... right?

Let me know if you'd like to see a post about how I managed to make the shift from being a hoarder to being a (wanna-be) minimalist. I'm so excited and nervous for this year, and I just really don't want to get a place of my own and fill it with junk. Wish me luck!