For most of my life I was a visual shopper. If I saw it then I had to have it. I also practiced retail therapy, buying stuff to feel better instead of dealing with my issues. I was one of those people who always had to leave the mall with a purchase. It didn’t matter if I needed the item or not. It was just the thought of buying something new. This behavior  resulted  in accumulating a lot of stuff over the years.

Then something strange and unexpected  happen. I went blind. I could no longer see the  items brightly displayed in stores calling my name. Sometimes I struggled with transportation  to even get there. And online shopping was not even  an option back then. I strained to keep up with trends and my stockpile of stuff  was becoming too much.

Use Less Stuff Day

As a society we are accumulating too much stuff. People pay for storage, don’t always donate or recycle. Then there are landfills  that are filling up with all kinds of things we have thrown away. Thursday, Nov. 17 is Use Less Stuff Day. This day is a gentle reminder to  clean and declutter.

Clothes and Shoes

After going blind, I quickly realized I needed to make a mental change and trim down my stuff. First I started with my wardrobe. I focused on functional  not trendy pieces of clothing and jewelry.

I kept my shoes down to a couple of pairs. The essentials of black, brown and navy dress   styles with 2 pairs of tennis. These simple colors  and styles  can go with any outfit. It also made it easier to find and keep them organized.

Home and Office

To avoid falls, stumbles and bumping into furniture I downsized. I went to a modest layout, keeping furniture  mostly on the perimeter of the room. Ask yourself, how much stuff in your home is a show piece? You know that sofa you never sit on because it is for those guest that  don’t come over. Less is more and  better. Having too much furniture  can be a physical hazard and danger especially with vision loss.

Working from home has  motivated me to scale down more. I don’t have to wear professional clothes  to a job but I have several business suits  I need to figure out what to do. I know I want to keep  some pieces for videoconference  calls or meeting in person.

I am an introvert  so don’t mix and mingle too much in crowds. So, even my casual  wardrobe  has been scaled down. Just a couple of slacks and skirts  with interchangeable  tops to match.

Use Less Paper

I have also  reduced my paper footprint. What I mean is  paying bills online instead of using printed statements  and envelopes  for mailing. I fill out forms online  and receive the majority of my info via desktop computer or smartphone. I read books from the library instead of purchasing them and  watch movies  through streaming verses DVDs.

Lack of Emotional Attachment

Another interesting yet peculiar thing  that came with my blindness was the lack of emotional attachment to things. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a sentimental person. Like Marie Kondo, I do want to keep items that spark joy. Still, because I don’t physically see I don’t have that same level of emotional attachment.

The statement, “out of sight is out of mind” is really true. I do forget  and/or lack interest in things I can’t  see. This mentality  leads me to constantly  take inventory of my belongings. Do I still cherish it or  have lost that lovin’ feeling? Every couple of months I check out what I have and what I can give away.

More Doesn’t Mean Less

However, I come from a place  where more communicates  prosperity, value and self-worth  . When people have less the assumption is they are not doing well. But this is not necessarily true. Having less or should I say, the basic  necessities of life, is  peaceful and not burdensome. I know  for a fact the more things I own the more I have to worry. The more I have to track and keep organized. The more stressed out  I get.

A minimalist lifestyle is a work in progress. I have not perfected it yet  because I live in a world of consumerism. The call to shop and buy is ever present. However, I work on it and do my best. Writing this post has energized me to do another walk through and declutter my home. Looking at what I need to keep and what I can remove. Plus, the holiday season is coming up and the perfect time to give.

Do you have a minimalist lifestyle? If not, what ways can you scale back your stuff?