Letting go of excess and learning to wear things out brought me peace, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation for mindful living.
My Journey Of Owning Less
There are some things I’ve stopped buying since learning about minimalism and decluttering my home. I don’t consider myself a minimalist, but I see the benefits of owning less and enjoy living in a space with clear, empty surfaces. Still, some things were hard to say goodbye to—and one of them was my shoes.
I Loved My Shoe Collection
I have a nice collection of shoes and boots. Since I started decluttering, I’ve realized that having excess in any category isn’t fun. It takes time to maintain and manage all that stuff. So I thought it would be nice to have fewer shoes. I got rid of a couple of pairs, but I really liked my collection and wasn’t ready to let any more go. I wore them all from time to time and liked each one.
I’m Not Buying Any More Shoes
One of the tips I learned was not to buy any more shoes. Over time, some would wear out naturally, and that way I’d end up with fewer. So I dedicated one specific place to store all my shoes and allowed myself to keep only as many as would fit there.
I Worn Out A Pair Of Converse
Now, a couple of years later, I have a little fewer shoes. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a hole in one pair of my Converse, and it didn’t make me sad. I was actually happy that I’d made good use of them, and by the end of fall, I’ll be able to let them go. It doesn’t happen often these days that you buy something, use it, wear it out completely, and know it served you well for years. There’s real joy and a sense of accomplishment in using your things so thoroughly.
Guilt Free Living And Using What You Have
It’s a very different feeling from when you get rid of perfectly good items—for instance things with tags still on them that you never even used. There’s so much guilt and even shame in realizing you’ve used your resources poorly and unwisely. That wasteful attitude keeps us from living a happy, fulfilling life where we appreciate everything we own and use our belongings completely until they’re no longer usable. I don’t need excess or “just in case” items. I want everything I own to serve me and my family for years to come.