The One Question I Ask Myself That Helped Me Buy Less

A few weeks ago I set out on a challenge. I challenged myself to declutter 100 items a day for 10 days straight. Yep, you read that right. 1,000 items decluttered over 10 days.

It was both harder and easier than I imagined it to be. I shared a bit about my challenge and journey on my Instagram starting with this reel!

Some areas were very easy to go through and clean out to reach those kinds of numbers. I was easily able to go through my household’s clothing and get rid of several hundred items. In my bathroom, it was especially easy to get rid of things!

Also because I was targeting a certain number it was easier to get rid of things I otherwise would have kept.

For example, we had 3 queen mattress protectors in a spare closet. We have 2 queen beds meaning we really don’t need that third one. My brother happened to just tell me he was in the market and so instead of keeping the extra one, I sent it to him! Saved him some money and made me some space.

Throughout this process, I realized there was another things I really needed to tackle: buying less.

The one question decided to start asking myself before I buy something was: how easy will it be to get rid of this?

Think about it, a lot of what we buy ends up in the trash. For the most part, things can’t be destroyed so it ends up in a landfill.

This fact devastates me. It makes me think twice about the things that I buy. I want to make more sustainable choices when possible.

Keeping this question in mind, I’m more easily able to make better choices when I buy something.

Some things I consider:

• can I resell this?
• how easy is it to donate this item?
• who will I give this to when I am done with it?
• is this going to end up in the trash?

The factors make it easier to buy less stuff that I absolutely don’t need. My home should ultimately work with me and for me – not against me.

Having a ton of clutter around does not make living in my home simple. In fact, it makes is far more difficult!

I really liked taking this challenge on and think I likely will again before the end of the year as well.

And now when I am looking for new items for my home, I can ask myself “how easy is it to get rid of this?” as a litmus test to avoid buying things I don’t need in the first place.

Let me know in the comments how you keep your home simple!