Tips for Filling Your Life with Things You Love
If you’re like many people, the stuff that surrounds you is just that…stuff. You have accumulated material items and many of them could disappear and you may never even notice that they’re gone. Shopping and accumulating things often starts off innocently and eventually it can become a bit of a habit.
Living a balanced life often means getting rid of the clutter and making sure that the items you have in your life are meaningful, valuable, and have a purpose. Let’s take a look at a few tips to help you make sure that you fill your life with things that you love.
1. Wait before buying. Whenever you have an impulse to buy something, stop yourself. Get in the habit of waiting 24 to 48 hours before you buy it – longer for more expensive purchases. During that time, assess the pros and cons of buying the item.
2. Do you want it or need it? We often buy things that we want but don’t really need. If you look around your home, chances are you can identify at least five things right now that you don’t need. Before making any purchase, make sure that it is something that you truly need.
3. Don’t buy it if you don’t love it. It’s a good rule of thumb. Before you buy anything, you must absolutely love it. Spend your hard-earned money on items that bring you joy rather than items that you think are okay or that you might use.
4. Do you already have it? It’s said that Imelda Marcos had more than 3000 pairs of shoes. Now shoes are something that you do need. However, you probably don’t need ten pairs of beige pumps or three black loafers. Before you bring anything into your home, ask yourself if you already have it or something close to it.
5. Does it have meaning? Many people get into the habit of buying relatively disposable goods. They are easily forgotten and readily replaced. As you shop for things that you need, consider making sure that the item is something that has meaning to you and brings value to your life.
6. Appreciate what you have. Take a look at the possessions you have around your home. Do you have memories associated with them? What value do they bring to you? For example, you might take a look at your worn kitchen table, a hand-me-down from your parents who bought it in the 80s. You may dislike the design of the table. But the table has been the center for countless family meals and wonderful memories. Focusing on that can shift your mindset and help you live well with what you have.
Be conscious of each and every item that you bring into your home and into your life. You’ll find that the more thought you put into your actions, the less stuff you accumulate, and the items that you have in your home are those that you truly love.
