You ever look at some of your stuff and think, "Why did I buy this? Why do I still have it?" Oh well, maybe I’ll find a use for it eventually. If your answer is "all the time," solidarity because same. I have a great method for changing this habit to share with you. If you're looking for how to start your minimalism journey, save money, and declutter - look no further than the Buy Nothing Project.
Babies have an especially quick way of filling our homes with “stuff.” Stuff people give you. Stuff your pregnant mind says you absolutely must have. Stuff a new grandma just can’t wait to see her baby play with or wear. Stuff.
I had mountains of stuff. My daughter was my mother’s first grandchild, and it showed. She was so excited about her that we got monthly boxes of clothes, toys, and other random knick-knacks.
Why? Because she was excited and could not stop buying. Society has ingrained in us such a consumerist culture that we understand stuff as love. My mother lived on the other side of the country and had no other way to show her love than by buying stuff.
The truth is, babies don't need much. We can be sustainable parents by opting for minimalism and choosing toys that last. This is why wooden, open ended toys have become so popular. Alongside modest wardrobes and modern cloth diapers, parents are looking for sustainable options.
My first baby was born, and she was precious. Also, she was huge. She grew like a weed. This beautiful tiny baby was wearing 9-month clothes by 3 months because she was just so chunky from loving on her milk.
What did this mean? It meant that all those beautiful clothes my mother spent hours fussing over and mailing never got worn. They simply didn’t fit. They were either only worn once or never at all.
We decided to save them for the next baby. Our next baby is so cute and also a boy. My baby girl’s clothes are all sparkly and pink, so it wasn’t exactly gender-neutral. Now I had mountains of baby clothes that I had no idea what to do with.
Most people thankfully often donate, but many times they sit in storage for ages, taking up space in our storage units, garages, and homes. There is a solution for all of that. It’s called buy nothing. That’s right—buy absolutely nothing. Spend zero dollars.
What does that mean? It means all that stuff sitting in your house that you don’t use can actually be exactly what someone else needs. These groups are often separated by communities, so you give where you live.
This is a different kind of minimalism than thrifting or upcycling. The goal is to give and receive locally with zero dollars spent.
That pregnant mom in your community would love all those beautiful clothes. Do you need a lamp? A dresser? A bed? No problem. Wish for one, and someone may have one they no longer need in their home and will happily give you. It is an online community built to reduce waste and give use to things that sat collecting dust or maybe just space in your home. Sustainable meets functional.
It’s also an amazing way to get to know people in your community. Going to pick up a trampoline to give to your kiddo? No problem. Pop into your neighbor’s and have a chat to pick up. Countless relationships that otherwise wouldn’t happen in our now busy lives are formed.
I have built wonderful friendships in my group and am in absolute awe of how generous people are. It has been so good for me to get rid of things I would have had a difficult time parting with, knowing it’s going to a person who really wants or needs this item instead of just sitting in a storage room or in a store for someone to hopefully buy one day.
It helps give those toys that would otherwise go to the trash a whole new life. Kids don’t care if something is brand new and sparkly. It’s an incredible feeling to know that you don’t have to throw this perfectly usable item in the garbage just because it’s taking up space.
What are some ways you reuse items? Share your favorite minimalism tips below! Are you part of the buy nothing community? Share your experience!
