Hi all! This is a post from last year, right around this time, where I worked with KonMari consultant Tomoka, from A Tidy Transformation.

Since the start of the year is the most common time for people to clean out and clean up, I’m republishing some posts that otherwise would have been buried in the feed. This is the first one; stay tuned for more!

_____________

I’m about to roll out the post on the final results of my Closet Kondo—the decluttering and organizing session with a KonMari exert on my master closet. But as I get all of that together, I wanted to share with you, friends, this one tip that will help you buy less. It’s helped me keep my unnecessary shopping—and therefore unnecessary clutter—in check during this sale-packed holiday season, and I hope it will for you, too!

But first, a confession. I’ll be the first to admit, it’s hard for me to turn down a deal. (This always reminds me of what Andrew says when I tell him about a sale, because I’m a sucker. for a BOGO, which is: “It’s only a great deal if you need it!!” To which I say, Buzzkill! Haha.)

I’m sure many of you have the same issue; when something is on sale and you like it, it’s hard to pass up.

But these days, I’m trying to make a distinction between liking it and needing it.

That’s why I appreciated, and why I think you’ll appreciate this advice from my friend and Orlando-area KonMari expert, Tomoka Brabham. It’s so simple, yet has totally transformed my mindset.

This One Tip from a KonMari Expert Will Help You Buy Less and Keep Clutter Down

And here it is:

Think of stores as your extended storage.

What does Tomoka mean by that? Well, when we realize that all we could truly ever need—and about ten thousand things we don’t—is always right there, down the street. At Target. At Bed Bath and Beyond. At your local clothing boutique. At Sephora. At literally any store accessible either in-person or online.

And you know what? That means—barring any immediately-needed item—you don’t need to keep any of it in your house!

Okay, so how can you apply this? It’s simple: Use it as a check before you buy.

HOW I USE THIS PHILOSOPHY WHEN I SHOP

The idea behind this has become a bit of a mantra for me. Here’s what I ask myself when I shop: “Do I need this now?” If the answer is no, I’ll remind myself that it’s okay to leave it where it is, whether that’s in the store, or online, until I truly have a need for it.

And as silly as it sounds—because we have all been conditioned to buy buy buy—I remind myself that whatever that item is, or something just as nice, will be waiting for me when I do in fact need it.

THE CHALLENGES OF SHOPPING LESS

When we see something nice at a good price, we tend to think, “It’ll never be this cheap again!” “Even if I don’t need it now, I’ll wear it… someday!” … etc. etc. etc. But when you remind yourself that there is an endless supply of beautiful things out there, ready for the plucking when they’re actually needed, it truly helps.

For someone who used to plan entire mornings around a Target run so I look for good endcap sales, this has been a difficult concept to implement, haha. But I’m getting there, one reminder to myself at a time.

HOW TO DECIDE IF THIS IS A GOOD PHILOSOPHY FOR YOU

I realize this approach to curating your closet might not be for everyone.

Women whose true joy is fashion and having tons of options at any given time, might find true joy from having more around them, right there in their space.

But for me, the simpler, the better. And that’s why when Tomoka said this during our decluttering session it truly resonated.

Since I completed my closet session with Tomoka, it’s been so easy to get dressed in the morning, knowing that what is left is only what I truly love and use. (More on that in the upcoming post!) So that’s why I’ll be going back to this simple, but powerful, reminder every time I feel the urge to click “Buy.”

So there you go. A little something you can arm yourself with during this season of bonanza holiday sales. Buy what you need, but if you’re feeling like you’re becoming surrounded by too much clutter, just remember: It’s always right there—in the store or online—when you actually need it.