She Strengthens

Transforming My Relationship with Money and Stuff

Uncovering Hidden Spending Habits

At the start of my year-long shopping ban, I thought I knew my spending habits inside out. But it wasn’t until I faced my triggers and bad habits head-on that I realized how ingrained certain behaviors were in my daily life. I discovered that I often bought coffee on mornings after a bad night’s sleep and before running errands. This realization made me question how difficult my challenge would be.

Decluttering Beyond Physical Space

As I navigated the first few months of my ban, I not only got rid of physical items in my apartment but also decluttered my digital life. I cleared out unused apps on my iPhone, unfollowed businesses on social media, and organized my desktop and inbox. This process helped me focus on what was truly important to me.

Identifying Spending Weaknesses

Books were a significant temptation for me, especially cheap eBooks. However, I reminded myself that I had unread books on my shelves and didn’t need to spend more money. The real challenge came when I went through a breakup and felt the urge to fill the void with purchases. I realized that I used to buy things to make myself feel better, but the shopping ban helped me resist this temptation.

Saving Money and Prioritizing Needs

Throughout the first three months of my ban, I saved money by putting it into a dedicated account. At the end of September, I had saved $760, which was more than half of my goal. I used this money to buy a new bed, a purchase I had been putting off for years. This experience taught me that stopping unnecessary spending allowed me to prioritize my needs.

Developing Healthy Habits

As I continued my ban, donating and getting rid of items became a habit. I decluttered and removed 68 more items from my home, bringing the total to 54%. I also learned to resist temptation, even at my favorite used bookstore. However, I did accidentally break my ban once, which was a valuable learning experience.

Overcoming Bad Habits

One of the most eye-opening experiences during my ban was realizing that I had a habit of talking myself into buying things I didn’t need. On Black Friday, I almost gave in to buying a new e-reader, but I caught myself and canceled the order. This experience taught me that I had a bad habit of rationalizing unnecessary purchases.

Celebrating a Minimalist Holiday

In December, my family and I celebrated a minimalist Christmas, focusing on experiences and useful gifts. This was one of the best and cheapest holidays we’ve had, and it marked a significant shift in my mindset around money and material possessions.

Soul-Searching and Self-Awareness

During the later months of my ban, I did some deep soul-searching and realized that I had bought many things to project a certain image or level of success. I purchased books to appear well-read, clothes to fit in, and furniture to showcase my supposed success. But this realization helped me let go of these desires and focus on what truly brought me joy.

Appreciating What I Kept

As I continued to declutter and reflect on my purchases, I developed a deeper appreciation for the things I chose to keep. I realized that everything I kept made my life better in some way, and this gratitude helped me cultivate a more mindful approach to consumption.

Final Decluttering and Reflection

At the end of my ban, I did one final decluttering and removed 54 more items from my home, bringing the total to 70%. When I finished the ban, I didn’t feel the urge to buy anything, and I realized that I had transformed my relationship with money and stuff. I had learned to prioritize my needs, resist temptation, and appreciate what I already had.