"No Buy, No Bag"

I'm always looking for ways to leave less of an impact on our planet, utilize items I have in my home for creating, and simply do more with less. I frequently visit second-hand stores, but more as a creative outlet than a way to consume less. However, last year, while watching several documentaries about consumption and materialism, I challenged myself to buy less and use less; therefore, leaving less. For one month I did not buy any new items and to go along with my limited intake of materialistic goods, I did not use or accept any plastic bags.

The challenge was simple: For one month, I would not buy any new goods. If there was an item that I needed or a birthday gift, or whatever (somehow we come up with the most amazing reasons for buying more), I would scout it out at one of many local second-hand stores. When purchasing food or toiletries (which I considered necessary items), I must use a bag I brought with me from home; if I forgot my bag, I carried the items out with me. Needless to say, this challenge was a success! Now, I've done many different types of body cleanses; however, this was one of the most memorable as I immediately felt the world of advertisement and desire lifted from my shoulders. And, quite honestly, buying from second-hand stores was just another way of recycling, which is also good for the Earth.

Well, I've brought the challenge back this year; moving it closer to the end of the Holiday sales. This challenge is necessary for cleansing ourselves from the shopping frenzy we find ourselves in after the Holiday season: the endless commercials, the constant sales, the need to buy, buy, buy. I'm calling the challenge this year "No Buy, No Bag" and have invited my friends, family and coworkers to join me. I'm facing the challenge of Valentine's Day coming up and thinking of creative, second-hand gifts I can buy my husband; however, you never know what you just might find at a second-hand store and this is just another beauty of this challenge.

Though the challenge only lasts one month, it's a fantastic way to break free from the cycle of excessive materialistic spending. It bridges our minds and souls to creativity and allows us to remember what is important in our lives (sadly, what's important is not the clearance Levi Jeans, but we somehow forget this). This challenge will remain in the back of my mind for the remainder of the year, forcing me to consider second-hand before brand new and allowing me to leave less while gaining more.