Outdoorsy Materialism

Lately, I am experiencing a new surge of materialism, which is a reminder that one purchase does not quell the desire for stuff but enhances it.

Chris and I both have recently become the proud owners of the material possessions known as bikes. I am very, very happy that we have them. I've been riding mine to work and the Y. Chris has been riding his about 10 miles a day (21 yesterday). I'm sooooo pleased about us having bikes and actually using them.

So am I content to go out and use my bike all the time and forget about making any other purchases? Nope. Yesterday, I bought new sneakers. To be fair, I bought my old pair 5 years ago and have worn the soles smooth-ish. My feet and knees have been hurting after zumba. It was time. After hours reviewing sneakers online, I ordered a pair from Dick's Sporting Goods online.

That should have been enough, but while on their website I also looked at a resistance band and earplugs for swimming. I almost bought both, but I found out I was $1 away from getting a reward that would cover most of the resistance band, so I put that on hold. I convinced myself I need it so I could get a better workout with one of my Denise Austin cheesy 90s workout videos. The earplugs I had been planning to get for some time because I do swim and I also tend to get swimmer's ear, so I feel like that's okay--and those are super cheap.

Materialism quelled? Again, no. I went to track my order to see if they were super fast and had already shipped the items yesterday and somehow found myself looking at canoes and then grills. Ridiculous. Both would be nice, except I would never use them with my partner in crime being five hours away. I'm not very good about doing things by myself.

Instead I made myself a list of activity gear, then I made myself some rules for purchases. Big ticket items like the grill and canoe cannot be purchased until my car is paid off. Little items like tennis balls, reflective gear for biking, and new fitness clothes must be earned. I haven't decided just how yet. I'm thinking maybe a short story or five must be written, polished, and posted on my blog in order to earn such things.

I may have to apply this reward system to clothing shopping too.

Simplifying Life

So in the spirit of New Year's Resolutions (which I am notorious for starting 2 weeks after the year starts and maintaining for about 20 minutes), I have set some goals to simplify my life.

After moving into my new place, I am amazed that I could fill up the closets. I had far less closet space at my last place, and it worked. I am completely convinced that I have too much stuff now. I'd like to see some open space in the closets.

My goal is to cut out some of the crap. I once lived a very stark lifestyle and had a room that looked like it could fit in a convent--simple, not stylish, bare walls. It was a very positive way of being. So, I'm going to try to go through the nooks and crannies of all my storage spaces and gather one box worth of materials to donate each month. One full box each month is required. Some of the first stuff to go should be excess pillows, bedding, and clothes. I've been given a lot of bedding lately, and I have a shopping vice.

I've already packed up one box of stuff to haul off for donating. I've also got a bag of old paint and materials I used to refinish my coffee table and end tables that I plan to take away somewhere. I need to figure out if it can be recycled or disposed of safely.

I'm also planning to read at least 2 books a month and I will get rid of them as I read them. I won't be buying any new books. I have plenty.

Last but not least, I need to keep plugging away at crochet projects. Then I can get rid of some of yarn. That should clear out some space too.

Hopefully my New Year's changes will involve some more cooking and working out too, but my only set goal is to get rid of some of the material stuff.