DEBT

[source:pinterest]

It's currently New Years Eve, 17 minutes before the beginning of 2015 and I'm sat in my bedroom, alone (not in a depressing sense, I just don't celebrate New Years, nor does my family) staring at this screen, surrounded by 'new clutter' that christmas presented; boxes, gift bags, cups, gifts. I feel determined to change one major thing in 2015, and that is my debt.

During this 'journey' into discovering minimalism, I've come to the realisation that I can not avoid my debt; and at 23 years old that's not a heart-warming thing to admit. I mean, c'mon ...why do I even have debt? Besides my university student loan, there is no logical or legitimate reason that I should find myself in £1400 of debt. I have always lived at home, rent-free and realistic monthly expenses including a phone bill, transport (occasionally) and food. So why am I in so much debt?

I can tell you exactly why I have this debt, the answer is consumerism. My desire to have new trainers, new clothes, another lipstick or expensive candle and conform to trends. My desire to always buy the best gifts for my family and friends, even when I couldn't afford it. My desire to say yes to invitations to eat and drink out even when I have no physical bank balance. My desire to just add things to my basket for the sake of it, or 'just in case'.

Along with clearing out the physical clutter, I aim to clear this debt in any way I can. Making a conscious decision to tackle this debt head on is a bit scary, I feel a sense of guilt about racking up this debt, I feel foolish and I feel crappy that I have this figure weighing me down, always in the back of my mind. That's going to change. I'm not sure how, or when or how long it will take me but I'm sincerely hoping the journey of minimalism will help me to figure this out. I know for sure that I won't be buying impulse purchases, I am aiming for key pieces of clothing - only if I need them. Other purchases or expenses will be made only when I consider them to add value to my life.

I think that's the one thing I've really loved taking from 'minimalism' ..... the one question I ask all the time when considering buying, throwing, or keeping an item ... 'Does this/will this add value to my life?' I know for certain that debt, does not add value to my life in any way, shape or form. It has to go.

THE INITIAL PURGE

When I first embarked on my mission for minimalism and simple living, I had no idea where to even start. I'm what society would call a typical consumer; I earned money to spend it, every penny and more was squandered on material belongings. I am lured in frequently by giant sale signs and end of aisle offers in the supermarkets. I buy multiple items and I'm an impulse shopper. Earlier on in the year when my full time, poorly paid admin wage came to a halt I soon realised just how little 'disposable income' I actually had. Substituted by the beginnings of freelance work and selling some items, I managed to maintain my lifestyle - with a little less on the buying front. However, even months down the line I still spent more than I earned, which is where my interest in minimalism began. How could I spend less? What could I do to break the spending cycle? How could I move away from being a typical consumer? 

Of course, the first step was to begin the initial purge of belongings. I needed to decide which items I loved, which items I needed and which items I thought I needed along with getting shot of all of the items I definitely didn't need and didn't want! Surprisingly this seemed to good to be true, I didn't feel the attachment many have spoke about when it comes to material possessions so it took next to no time to fill up bags and bags of 'stuff'. This 'stuff' is going to make it's journey to donation, sale or trash. 

After the 'intial purge' I had a pile of stuff ready to be donated (that I am continually adding to), alongside a 'to sell pile' which resulted in 'list items on ebay' being at the top of my to do list for several weeks. Do you know what? I donated those items too - having that task at my to do list an never ever getting around to actually doing it became a stressor, something that constantly annoyed me so I decided to end it and just donate the stuff. Now it's out of my space and out of my mind.