Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Compact
As it's been a year since The Compact started, they've been getting some press. I remember when I first heard about it...my immediate thought was "No way could I do that!". Of course, that's the disease speaking. Of course I could do it. My personal problem with The Compact is that it allows the purchase of used items. The purpose of The Compact is not so much to reduce personal clutter, but to avoid using up precious resources. So, if you need a TV, look for a used one rather than running out to Best Buy. But for someone like me, who loves thrift store shopping, it's an invitation to bring more clutter into my life, simply because buying used items is encouraged.
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3 comments:
I'm a recovering thrift store shopaholic. I've also been Compacting for three months. And it is a constant struggle not to find a reason to go shopping or justify a purchase just because it falls under the Compact guidelines because it is used. One of my reasons for joining the Compact was to simplify my life which they refer to as Calm-pacting. The clutter in my home is getting to me and I'm tired of not being able to find stuff. I enjoy reading your posts as it's nice to know I'm not alone in this endless cycle. I'm going to be taking you up on your dare and will post my results tomorrow. :)
I have not done the compact. I, too, am too easily swayed by the thrift stores. I have decreased my actuall shopping time, making lists, sticking to lists, and only going every couple weeks. Christmas though really threw us off, and it was upseting to me how easily I could go back to being a crazed shopper. I really thought I had control over it, but the holiday proved me wrong. I did not go over board, but for me, it was more than enough! I am stepping back, replanning and getting back on track, I hope. I have been doing the Seven Things project (where you part with seven things a week), to declutter, and am so impressed what I have learned about my possessions, my needs for them, and emotions for them. I keep a journal and write my attachment, even if I cannot rid of it, I write about why. I have been very successful though, and with three kids, my husband and myself, our household has rid over 400 things out of our lives! It is a great feeling, but we still have a long way to go. Like m said, it is nice to know there are others who deal with this.
Hi there! I found your blog via Emme's "Simplifying and Reducing." I'm a member of the Compact, too.
I'm not a hoarder, but I understand the temptation at thrift shops. My personal problems are books and art supplies. I have found that the Compact has also affected my behavior at thrift shops. The constant reinforcement of the idea of not being a mindless consumer seems to have settled in with me. I was spending about $40 a month at Salvation Army or Goodwill and I've only bought two or three things at either of these places since I joined the Compact last February. Something must be sinking in!
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