There are definite things that we just cannot stop buying, even though we already have lots that we have not used. And then there are things that we get as gifts but that we use sparingly meaning that they keep sitting in our closets.
It is pleasant to collect things we like, but if they are sitting unused and not serving their purpose, then it is wasteful to keep buying more. Our unused objects take up space and cause unnecessary clutter.
In this post, I share five commonly amassed things to use up before we purchase more.
Books
Many book aficionados, when they see a book they want to read, they immediately buy it. But they do not essentially read at the same rate as buying.
I first suggest that when you see a book you want to read, add it to a ‘to read’ list instead of immediately buying it. I maintain an excel sheet of all the books I want to read. The current count is 1,959 books which I do not know how I will get to but that is a bridge I will cross later.
Second, work your way through your unread books. Forbid yourself from buying any more until you have read the ones you have. Books are eternal; they can be bought in the future too, unlike clothes or home decor which trend.
Earlier, I had a possessive streak about my books. Once I completed reading them, I would still hold on to them. But then, I acquired so many that they would not fit in my bookshelf. I took a deep breath and let go.
Now, once a year, I browse my bookshelf and take out at least 20 books to give away. And I have always found that people are eager to take them away. By this process, I am ensuring I only keep books that I genuinely love.
So, lastly, can I recommend that you adopt a similar approach? Your bookshelves will not get too cluttered with books you will never read again.
Personal Care Products
Personal Care Products (PCP) are some of the most common items that people tend to gift meaning that I have accumulated hordes of them faster than I can use. I have had a whole closet full of them but, fortunately or unfortunately, for me, these types of products often take a long time to use up.
It is easy to get attracted by PCP and hold on to them, but they have a use-by date. Therefore, it is careless to hoard. Stop getting new PCP for a while; try to use up the ones you already own. And, if you have willing friends, can you ask them to take away the ones they feel they will use?
Candles
I built up an excessive collection of candles when I received them as gifts over the years. I began to use one steadily. And can you make an intent to not buy any until your collection has thinned a little?
Food
Have you examined your kitchen cupboards lately? At times, food packets get forgotten, especially if you bought them for a particular recipe but you do not normally use them. That happens with me a fair bit; something N cannot stop commenting on!
Can you remember to go through the labels and use up any forgotten food before it goes out of date?
Speciality Tea
When I travel, specially to tea – producing areas, I buy a lot of speciality teas enthusiastically but conveniently forgetting that I prefer only Masala Chai. I thus have tea packets at the back of my kitchen sideboard.
A while back, I confronted myself to NOT buy specialty tea. If I wish to taste, I will do so at the destination itself and not bring it home. I am glad I stuck to this when I visited Kerala recently. Have you bought specialty teas in excitement and have built up a collection? Then, do ensure you do not forget them in your storeroom.
What could you use up before buying more?
I expect this post shows that there are many advantages to using up what we have got before buying more. We will bring down waste, save resources, create space in your home and save money. It is also an exercise in realizing what you have, instead of always ‘needing’ more.
Do you associate with this post? Do you have an increasing collection of anything not mentioned here that you could use up before you buy any more? Let me know!
