Since February marks 6 months of my 1 year experiment with non-consumerism, I decided to get back to the thing that started all the craziness.
So my February challenge is February Get Rid of Crap Month, or FeGROCMo for short.
Because while not consuming new things is all well and good, it's not enough to simply not consume. I've benefitted in the past 6 months from people selling their used things- whether it be a board game or books. And thus, I think it's important that I also try where I can to pare down, and let other people enjoy things that I have that I don't really use that much.
So, I'm going to get on Ebay! I'm going to get bags for Goodwill. As for the stuff that no one is going to want, I'm going to try and figure out what's the best way to dispose of that junk. And for the stuff that I keep, I want to get it organized so I don't end up with two bottles of mouthwash or 6 containers of floss.
I've also found the reading I've been doing each month to be an invaluable part of the challenge. In December I read "The Omnivore's Dilemma," and in January I read "Garbage Land." This month, I'll be reading Judith Levine's "Not Buying It."
So that's what you guys have to look forward to this month. The anal-retentive organizer in me is really excited to start.
2 years ago
2 comments:
Good for you. We too have not been buying anything really - other than the occasional thrift store item - but there is still so much junk around my house. I can't wait for a free morning to get in those closets and cupboards and move the stuff on out that we never use.
Isn't it amazing how fast possessions pile up when we're not even trying?
I'm reading an old book, Vance Packard's "The Wastemakers." He outlines the corporate origins of our consumer culture, which is making me want never to buy anything again.
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