This frugality slogan from the Great Depression is too often forgotten in the age of mass production, quick fixes and one-click buying. Many find it useful as a minimalism mantra. I do not.
It’s the make it do aspect that I struggle with. Frugality may be a side benefit, but it is not the reason I became a minimalist and making something do does not work for me in the long run. This does not mean that the instant something is not working, wears out or is just not quite the right fit, that I run to the stores for the opportunity to spend a day shopping.
Historically I would not have thought twice about replacing an item (or more accurately buying another one and storing the original item ‘just in case’). So why have I struggled so much this week to add pegs to my shopping list?
As a more mindful consumer I have one rule. Whatever it is, it must be fit for purpose. If it doesn’t do what I need it to, or doesn’t solve a problem then it’s not fit for purpose. If I don’t like the aesthetics of it then it’s not fit for purpose (it’s got to live in my house after all). If I don’t like the feel of it, it’s not fit for purpose. This is obviously very personal – my wife and I have two potato peelers as we disagree on which is fit for purpose.
I’ve been uming and erring about a waterproof coat for months. I need one, but deciding which one to put on my Christmas list has proven hard. I loved the sewing machine I received last year. It has given me a lot of joy developing new skills and gaining the bonus of perfectly fitting new skirts!. This year, I figured contributions to a coat that would last years would be ideal.
My requirements are that it needs to be
- Waterproof – this may sound obvious but we don’t have a car and I commute to work on foot. In the depths of winter it rains…a lot!
- In my colours – I’m not particularly fussy about which, but it needs to be a yellow-based bright Spring colour.
- Preferably mid thigh to knee length – see point 1.
- Have a hood – see point 1.
- Be warm(ish) – I don’t mind layering but don’t want a flimsy coat.
- Good quality.
- A good fit – some form of gathering at the waist if it is a longer one.
I’ve hit a glitch though. Christmas is 13 weeks away and in addition to accidentally minimising my phone contacts I’ve also accidentally minimised my raincoat (aka lost it!) . There is definitely a downside to minimalism!
Urgency has yet again reared it’s ugly head in my minimalism journey. With the pegs, I struggled to even put them on the shopping list because of a lack of urgency. I did’t NEED pegs. I had pegs. Did they ‘Spark Joy?’ Certainly not. Well six of them did, but the rest didn’t. They were an eclectic old bunch, mismatched and liable to break. It wasn’t urgent that they were replaced, particularly as we’re coming into winter, but I realised there is a difference between pegs and my coat. I knew which pegs I wanted.
On the other hand I have a sense of urgency about getting a coat but haven’t found “the one” that ticks all the boxes. Should I just make do? Compromise? Buy more than one?
On Sunday, after buying my new pegs, I visited a shop and found a good quality, pink waist length jacket with a hood that was waterproof and a good fit. I also found a waterproof, knee-length coat that was warmer, had a hood but was not in my colours and made me look slightly ill. I haven’t bought either and I’m resisting but the urge to buy is strong! Neither is completely fit for purpose, but….
What would you do?
Discoveries
I’ve had this one in my email to share with you for a while. Melanie Fisher over at Realisation of Good has produced a One page guide to decluttering. It is great and includes a list of 11 questions to ask yourself when deciding to keep something, including “Is it easily replaceable if I end up regretting letting it go?” It’s a perfect introduction for anyone who is thinking about simplifying.
Thank you, and thanks for sharing! ❤
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You’re welcome Melanie. I really enjoy dipping into your blog when I get chance.
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I want to embark on being a minimalist, but not sure if Im starting correctly. I wrote a blog on my site on how I plan to start, if you could give me some feedback that would be so much appreciated!
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Good luck with your journey. I’ll take a look, although you’ve inspired me to finish the “Where it all began/Ideas for getting started” post that has been sat in draft form for about three months now! Stay tuned, it’ll be up soon.
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If you’re not happy with either of the coats you looked at. Don’t buy them. A good coat is essential. However, I’ve minimalist my coat (it had holes in it) and my wife said duo you really need a waterproof coat? What a stupid question of course I do.
After some weeks I have bought a cheap but smart looking casual jacket that will provide some warmth can be used all year round and now have a good quality umbrella on my list.
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I think in my wise mind neither fit the full criteria but my emotional mind is telling me buy the pink one!!! I think I’ll carry on looking and tolerate the anxiety about an impending torrential downpour.
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Oh the joys of British weather – if we all lived in California our minimalist wardrobes would be much easier to deal with! Hold off – as soon as you buy a coat you don’t want the right one will turn up. Sod’s law! M
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They really would, but I must admit I like seasonality 🙂 It is absolutely guaranteed the right one would show up. Question is would it work if I simply bought one of them and kept it in the bag with the receipt so I could return it 😉
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I like your style! Just don’t lose the receipts (which is what I’d do!). I like the seasons too, even if it does mean coat dilemmas. M
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Minimalism is also great practice for the next Great Depression. I hope we never see it, but one never knows.
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Perhaps it is a way of avoiding the next Great Depression!
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I certainly hope so. I am no expert when it comes to investments but with recent events I do feel that the whole system is pretty much a house of cards. Capitalism is dependent on the fact that people are spending money. Do you remember right after 911 President Bush telling America to go out shopping? Practicing minimalism my not prevent a crash but it certainly will prepare us to get through one.
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