Actually Lighting the Candle: Finishing Things Before Looking to Replace Them

We all know that one person who has thirty different candles, yet never picks up a match to light them. They will still enjoy the candle by leaving it open in a room, and it will last forever. Yet, what’s the point of buying the candle then? The aroma is much stronger when it’s actually burning, and then when it’s done, you know when it’s time to buy a new candle. Seems like a simple enough concept, so why is it so hard for people?

This is because companies work so hard to market how their new products are so much better than their old ones. They’re newer, more in-style, this celebrity is using it, it’s more efficient, and the list goes on. So, with a few ads and social media posts, we’re convinced that what we have at home isn’t good enough, and we need to go out and buy more. But isn’t that the reason we bought the now-discarded item in the first place?

It’s a vicious cycle that will never end. Unless of course, you put a stop to it.

Since adopting a minimalist lifestyle, I’ve realized that I own duplicates and similar versions of a lot of items that I own. They change with the season, holiday, weather, or sometimes just my mood. It’s like I’m stockpiling for an apocalypse that’s only going to take out my Bath and Body Works stash.

I now have the clarity to see that there’s no point in buying a replacement for something when you haven’t even opened the first one yet. It’s just going to create more clutter and take up space. This idea has already saved me money, and stress.

See, it was common for me to buy a new pair of shoes, a deodorant, or a gallon of milk before I’d even gotten close to finishing or using the one in my home already. It wasn’t from not being satisfied with what I had, but rather the need to buy something new because it was available. The culprit most responsible for this incessant buying: sales. When a product I used–and liked– was on sale or part of a promotion, it immediately ended up in my cart. It didn’t matter if I had just bought that same product a week before, because I needed to have a back stock, right?

My answer for you is no. Sales are designed to make people purchase items they don’t need at the moment, if at all. Don’t fall victim to their ploys.

Instead, when I see an item that I like on sale, I appreciate it, and then think to see if I have something similar already. Odds are, I do, so I refrain from picking up the new item. I also made a mental note to use that item when I get home, since I clearly wanted another one.

My life has completely changed because of this.

Every day now, I’m using what I have before considering buying something new. For example, I have had a candle in every room of my apartment since I moved in, but they’ve only been lit a few times each. Now, they’re burning constantly, because I love candle shopping, and I always want to get new ones with the season. So, I’m using up my winter candles right now, so when spring comes soon enough, I won’t be buying a candle when I already have one.

It feels good to use what I’m buying as well. It makes me more aware when I’m shopping, because if I don’t want to use it, why would I get it? I’m not going to grab a candle with a scent I don’t like just because it matches the current bathroom aesthetic. That’s a waste.

This methodology can be applied to every room in your house. Cut down on food waste by not going grocery shopping until everything is gone from the kitchen. If you can still make a meal, it’s not time to buy more yet. Going to a bookstore is fun, but there’s a dozen unread books on your bedroom shelf that should be enjoyed first. That new eyeshadow palette is cute, but those colors are in your other three at home too.

Now, I’m not saying you can never buy new things, but rather, be aware of what you’re buying versus what you have. When shoes have holes at the bottom, it’s time for a new pair if you don’t have a replacement in your collection already. Some things need to be replaced before they fall apart, just for other health reasons. Toothbrushes, razors, and hairbrushes should be changed out at least once a month.

In order to avoid the clutter though, I’ve made sure that whenever I go shopping and bring things back, I get rid of one thing before I can put away the new one. If I bought a new sweatshirt, I have to donate one that I had in my closet. This can be applied to most items; when you buy something new, get rid of something old. Then, if you don’t think it’s time to get rid of the oldest item because it’s still useful, you know that you didn’t need that new item, and you can return it instead. You will be surprised at how your house is slowly upgraded, with both new products and less clutter.

To start this process, go through the items you find yourself buying most often when shopping. For me, that would include beauty products, hair accessories, and books. Next, make piles for the trash, donations, sell, and keep. You want to start off with the lowest amount of these products that you need. Now, you’re going to start using these products as often as you need to. Burn the same candle, spray the same perfume, and eat all the crackers.

Just because you’ve finished, doesn’t mean you should immediately go out and buy more either. Work yourself down to one or two of the same items, and only then can you start replacing the items. If you want a sandwich but are out of bread, use up the tortilla wraps and bagel thins that are also in your pantry. Cupboards, drawers, and bins should be empty before going out to refill.

It’s definitely not the most fun lifestyle change at first, but it will be so worth it once you can look around your home and realize you only have the necessities; nothing is going to waste or sitting forgotten on a shelf somewhere. It will also eliminate guilt in stores when you want to buy something, because you can justifiably say that you need it. Start slow, maybe with one particular type of item. Then let those little victories spread to the rest of your life.