Recently, I've found that I have the unshakeable desire to get rid of everything. I want as few possessions as possible. After backpacking through Asia for a month with a handful of t-shirts and two pairs of shorts, I realized that I don't need a lot to be happy. I actually am happier when I have less. It gives you a sense of lightness, freedom, peace of mind. Minimalism isn't just great for your bank account, or the environment, it's great for your mental health.
I have decided I need to shop smarter. I'm not going to the grocery store during a hectic week and buying things for an elaborate recipe I never find time to get around to, or buying ten apples just because they're a good price. Every item I buy will have a purpose, and will be purchased in an amount where it won't be wasted. Calgary, out of everywhere in Canada, has the highest instance of food waste and that is just devastating! You don't need twelve hot sauces, and you need to be honest with yourself - sure, you heard that kohlrabi is great for you but are you going to commit to eating it or are you going to throw it in the crisper and forget about it until it grows its own ecosystem of mould? A packed, disorganized and chaotic fridge also causes you to close the doors and order take out! So, take some time to detox your fridge for physical, mental and environmental health.
Secondly, my bathroom. I worked at Sephora for years, then Skoah, and now Neal's Yard Remedies. I have no shortage of makeup, skincare and haircare. However, I had several shampoos, more body lotions than I could ever use up, even in 100 lifetimes and ten versions of the same damn eyeshadow palette (Well played Urban Decay, I own every Naked palette). Not only will you get ready faster if you streamline your makeup choices, but your skin and hair will thank you. Using a new cleanser and moisturizer every week can inundate your skin, especially if you aren't using natural & organic products - you're introducing a slew of toxins to your system. Now, I'm a sucker for the latest and greatest; I had two or more of everything - cleanser, toner, moisturizer, mask, scrub - because shiny, new packaging gets me every time! But my skin suffers because of it! My tip is promise yourself you will not buy something new until you use every last drop of what you already have. Rotating skincare can have it's benefits, but switching it up daily can be overkill. Have one shampoo & conditioner, and invest in good quality makeup (one foundation, one or two eyeliner colours, one blush, one bronzer, one eyeshadow palette with flattering, diverse colours + so on!)
Lastly, my closet. Something I've been slowly picking away at for a long time. I purge my clothing constantly, and consign it and then I feel like I have nothing to wear. So, I shop more and start the cycle all over again. I watched a Netflix documentary called "Minimalists" & another called "The True Cost", where they discuss the fast-fashion industry (think H & M, Forever 21, Zara). We live in a day and age where people buy one new clothing item a month on average, and throw clothes away at an alarming rate. This is harming the people who manufacture the clothing for pennies an hour, and polluting the planet with astonishing amounts of waste. The solution? Peruse your local consignment store so you aren't directly investing your money into fast fashion moguls and, even better, are supporting a small business' dream (In YYC? My favourites are The Clothing Bar, Curated Consignment, Danielle's, Fond Boutique, Peacock Boutique, Velour and Salvedged). I am now focused on curating a capsule-closet, developing a sense of personal style and letting go of pieces that don't bring me happiness. But going through my clothes, I realized its hard to let go! "But it is cute. But I might wear it someday. But I spent a lot on it." These justifications usually mean you should just let it go. If its not a 'fuck yes', its a no. One tip I learned was to pretend your closet is a store - would you buy that dress, sweater, pair of shoes now? No? Get rid of it then! Consigning my clothing has also been a great source of extra income, and not buying anything new is made easier by the thought of investing that money into travel. Collect moments, not things. If you need hands-on help sorting the trash from the treasure in your closet, and ending up with a versatile, timeless wardrobe, contact the brilliant Brittany (find her at flopsylife.com)
Detoxing is not just dietary. You need to detox your life, your environment. Having streamline, simple, aesthetic surroundings reduces stress, reduces unnecessary worries, improves sleep, reduces anxiety, allows you more freedom with less possessions weighing you down. Make your home your temple. It is an act of self love to have a beautiful living space that allows you to feel at peace.
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