New Mission

Stage One - Learning to Live with Less
Everyone comes to a realization in their life. A point in time where you just wake up and think to yourself, that today has to be different. Something has to change and that change starts from within yourself. I've had that moment. I had that spark of clarity that spoke to me and I finally opened my eyes. I said out loud all the things I was thinking but scared to say because then they would become real; Why am so I unhappy? Why don't I like my life? Why can't I get the things I want? What do I even want in my life?  And why did I feel like I was so far behind everyone else my age in figuring it all out? I didn't truly know the answers to all those questions, but knew that it was time to make a change so I could find out. A big one. A drastic one and one in the right direction to meet my personal goals, get answers, and find purpose and fulfillment for myself. The moment lighting hit me, was when I was seriously considering raising my rent in order to have enough space for my "stuff". How ridiculous is that?! Why did I honestly think I needed MORE space? I'm only ONE person. I live in a modest size one bedroom apartment with more than enough space for one person. The last thing I needed to do was waste money on rent just in order to store clothes I don't wear, electronics I don't use and things I bought and don't need. I had space, it was filled with all this stuff and that's when I began to feel trapped. I began to feel weighed down. So I thought I need to get rid of anything I don't need, haven't used or haven't worn. I need to learn to live with less. I had good intentions when I bought, was gifted or given all of these items and I have more than enough to survive so I need to learn not to consume unless it's necessary. No one woman needs 22 black dresses that over half of them have tags still on, or a Wii system that was used 5 times and now sits in the box collecting dust, 96 DVDs that are sealed in a Tupperware tub getting dusty or even cable TV so I can sit inside and wast time watching reality TV. So, with my new clarity, I started with a major overhaul. (Major for "me".) In my apartment, I had racks of clothes and tons of shoes (over 100 pairs), that were sitting there, not being worn, not being used collecting dust and never seeing the light of day.  How can I get these out into the world so they can be used? That's what they were made for. I began to distribute items to friends and family and whom ever was interested or need anything.  A friend took my Wii off my hands and I found a website where I could sell 96 DVDs to so they can be used/recycled. Everything that friends and family didn't want is going to be donated to Goodwill or a women's shelter. I've got down the items I'm keeping to, about 1/6th of what I began with and I couldn't feel better about it. I feel lighter. I'm not even having anxiety about not having those items anymore. I've made myself a promise, that I will not buy or consume unnecessary items. I've called to shut off my cable at the end of the current billing cycle, I will be cutting off the XM radio in my car that I never listen to and I am looking for an even smaller apartment so that I make better use of the space I live in. So going forward, I will continue to learn to live with less and hopefully begin a zero waste lifestyle by consuming less and I will be sharing and writing about my transition into a greener, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle here.