What if you were more intentional in your consumption?

Have you ever considered shifting from consumerism to intentional consumption? A compelling and life altering question I asked of my From Clutter to Tidy group, which you too, may wish to ask yourself.

It seemed a straight forward question, one that resonated for me. Simple. Not complicated. Easy to comprehend. Yet, the responses surprised me.

Many in the group were confused about the term intentional consumption and were unclear as to what would be considered consumption that is intentional.

What did I mean by it, and what would qualify as such.

I was glad they asked for clarification since there is a vast distinction between consumerism, as we have been living it since the 1920’s, and being more intentional with how we consume.

What we consume. Why we consume it. What purpose does it hold for us. What decisions did we make before we purchased.

All important questions to ask and yet, over the years, we no longer ask those all important questions before we take out our wallets and purchase.

Before we fill up our refrigerators, pantries, closets and homes with all sorts of excess stuff.

What is the difference between the two?

Let’s use a simple example — a trip to a store like Target. It all begins with a desire to shop, whether you planned to do so or not. As you enter the store, you definitely take a cart. After all, from past experience, you know you will buy more than you can possibly hold in your arms. Up and down the aisles you go, tossing items in the cart. You seldom go straight to the area for the item you came to get. At some point you feel done, or maybe your cart is overflowing which signals you are done, so out the door you go.

So, based on this one simple example, let’s ask a few questions … 

Q: Did you plan to go to Target, or did you simply drive by and feel the urge to pull into the parking lot and shop? Did you really need to shop in the first place?

Q: Did you have a specific item or list of items you were going to purchase? Or, did you buy whatever you found desirable?

Q: Was Target the only store to get those planned items, or were you drawn to the store because of all the other stuff available there?

Q: Were all the items that ended up in your cart planned in advance? Or, did you end up purchasing stuff you didn’t need, truly want, or end up using?

Q: Did you buy these items because everyone else has one and you don’t?

Did the example and questions help you see the difference?

Simply put, in a nutshell, consumerism, as it has morphed into over the last century, is “the preoccupation of society with the acquisition of consumer goods.” You consume for no particular purpose, planning or intent.

Whereas, intentional consumption, you only buy that which adds value to your life, is essential and clearly supports your purpose in life.

After all, most often the true joy is in the desiring of the thing, not in the having of it.

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Still feeling overwhelmed by the idea of letting go of your stuff?
Maybe you need more encouragement, assistance on what to focus upon. Or, simply a friendly hand to hold? Then, let’s talk.

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