I'm an early-career academic, which means I have to be ready to move across the country every few years. I could only bring one car's worth of belongings when I came to grad school, which really gave me a sense of what I had and what I could live without. Now before I buy something, I ask myself, "Will this fit in my car next time I move? Is it worth the space?" This has stopped me from buying home decor, cookware, small appliances, furniture, and a normal-sized TV. It also prevents me from becoming a habitual or therapeutic shopper.
Even if you won't be moving in the foreseeable future or aren't limited to the storage capacity of a small sedan, I find a lot of comfort in knowing the things I care about are few and easy to find. If I had to, I could be out of here in an hour without leaving behind anything I'd miss. For me, "not buying stuff" provides a sense of mobility, freedom, and security.
May 18, 2019 at 09:58PM
