Day 41 - What comes in

I think one of the simplest ways to simplify your life is to simplify what comes into your home. 

Here are some questions I ask myself off and on to try to limit overconsumption.

FOOD
Will I eat it this week?  I live within 2 miles of about 6 grocery stores.  They can serve as my pantry.  I don't need to stock up.  In fact, stocking up can clutter up things to the point where I can't find what I have.  If there is a great sale, I might buy some extra but I have learned not to over do it.  I do make an exception for toilet paper (due to psychological scars from childhood.)

Will my schedule allow me to prepare this?  How many times have I thrown away food because I got too busy to cook it.  Elaborate meals aren't feasible for the week.  I'm not going to get up and prepare anything for my lunch.  I should never go to the grocery store unless my kitchen is clean because I am much more likely to cook with a clean kitchen.  Who wants to wash dishes before meal prep? 

CLOTHES, ETC.

Do I need it?  Maybe the better question is how much do I NOT need it.  I do not need another tank top undershirt.  I have at least 30.  Just because I see a cute purple one and don't have a purple one doesn't mean I need to buy another one.  I am trying to not buy things that I'm not even close to needing.

Do I want it?  Have you ever bought something, brought it home and then wonder why you got it?  If I don't like it, chances are I'm not going to get good use out of it.  I will wear it a few times out of obligation, but then I will find many reasons never to put it on.

Will I wear it?  I bought a crazy multi color shirt dress a couple of years ago that was quite expensive because for a moment I wanted to be one of those people that would actually wear something like that.  I will not wear it.  I will look at it and say things like, if I had different parents I could put that on and feel totally comfortable.  I will try it on occasionally and pretend like I might wear it but I will change before I actually go out.

Does it fit?  Ever bought something that is the size you plan to be in 6 months?  I have smalls with the tags still on them.  I have been a medium for 4 years.  There is no logic to this.  I see something cute and its on a great sale and I just know when I am a size 4 again it will look great.  Well everything looks good on you when you are a size 4.  But what are the odds that I will be a size 4 again without a terminal illness?

If I were Bob I would have a section here about vehicles, but I'm not so I will leave that to him and his blog.