Chapter 1: My Journey Towards Minimalism

Over the last three years, I have given away an astonishing 140 kilos of clothing—equivalent to more than 300 pounds. Along with my clothes, I also donated a significant amount of furniture and decorative items, including lamps, desks, vases, plants, dishes, and various trinkets. These items represented years of a compulsive shopping habit.

Since then, my purchases have been minimal, focusing solely on essentials. I haven’t acquired any new decorations; I already possess more than enough. For instance, I recently bought a desk to create a writing space, as I used to work in bed with my laptop resting on my stomach. I also purchased a white T-shirt, since I tend to wear them frequently.

You might wonder how one person can accumulate such a vast collection of clothing. The answer is simple: I have a passion for fashion and variety. This led to continuous buying, resulting in a wardrobe so large that most items went unworn, creating no need for disposal.

My love for interior design fueled my desire to fill a spacious home with beautiful decor. Although I have since sold my house, the urge to collect still lingered in my new, larger apartment, which features ample storage for numerous blouses, skirts, vases, and mirrors. However, I realized I already had enough mirrors, so this wasn’t a case of my addiction resurfacing.

How did I initiate this transformation? Surprisingly, the change occurred almost without my awareness. However, you can learn from my experience to enact change in your own life.

Three key factors contributed to my shift:

1. A sudden drop in income.
2. Lack of storage space.
3. A busy schedule that left little time for shopping.

Initially, I had no desire to stop my shopping spree. I recognized that my closets were overflowing with clothes I rarely wore, yet my love for the shopping experience made me hesitant to quit. Like any addict, I occasionally entertained the thought of stopping, but it felt distant and unlikely.

Then, life intervened. With my income dwindling, I had to move into a smaller place and could no longer store my clothing. They ended up packed in bags and stored away. Out of sight, out of mind.

With my clothes removed from my daily environment, I realized I didn’t actually need them. I had been enamored with the thrill of searching and trying on garments rather than truly valuing the items themselves. Once acquired, they simply became clutter.

When I eventually decided to sell my home, I recognized that I needed to part with my decorative items as well. I sold what I could and donated the rest, including the clothes in storage. I meticulously weighed each box, totaling 140 kilograms of clothing!

My spacious living situation had blinded me to the reality that I was hoarding. This revelation was disheartening and prompted me to cleanse my surroundings. I resolved to keep only a few essential items, striving towards a minimalist lifestyle, which has been liberating.

However, an old temptation resurfaced. One day, I reminisced about my shopping addiction and felt an urge to indulge. I craved the excitement of a shopping spree.

But, during my visit to the mall, I discovered something surprising: it was utterly dull. Although I noticed the beauty of the clothes and the quality of the fabrics, I felt no desire to try them on or take them home. I appreciated them aesthetically, but they held no real appeal. Instead, I found myself longing for a uniform style, similar to what some notable figures, like Steve Jobs, adopted.

While I can’t wear the same outfit daily due to seasonal changes, I wish to simplify my clothing choices and avoid the hassle of daily outfit selection. I would prefer to focus my creativity and energy on writing, painting, and enjoying life.

If you’re grappling with a shopping addiction, here’s what worked for me:

1. Creating Distance from Temptations: Although it wasn’t intentional, life circumstances forced me to avoid shopping malls during the pandemic, coupled with my busy schedule and financial constraints. This unexpected break turned out to be a hidden blessing.
2. Developing Disgust for My Habit: Associating my shopping accumulation with hoarding and chaos motivated me to distance myself from it entirely.

In my case, the change occurred naturally, and I can’t claim credit for it. Life knocked me down, but it also helped me rise. I’m grateful for this outcome; my finances no longer support futile habits, and I feel liberated from the cycle of addiction.

Thank you, life.

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