Retail aversion therapy
Nov 28th, 2006 by Lynne
If you've ever worried that you might have shopaholic tendencies, I may have discovered a cure. My sister has lived in the same house for more than twelve years, about the same amount of time we've lived in ours. We're helping her move into a new place, and since our own property is on the market as commercial, John and I are doing a pre-move cleaning.
Why is this a cure for shopping?
Imagine twelve years' worth of books, with only a few hundred donated here and there to the library. I've been going through bookshelves and plastic bins at our house and at my sister's for a few weeks now, and I think I'm cured of wanting to acquire ANYTHING for the foreseeable future. A weird time of year for that, huh?
It gives you a new appreciation for those books you DO want to keep.
I just donated a ton-load of books to the library. I felt like a weight was lifted. However, I highly doubt that I will stop buying books. I have all this new space now!
-Karen
Good point, Karen! :-) We have a ways to go before we’re in the “Hey, we can see our shelves again!” stage, unfortunately.
I get all the shopping aversion therapy I need trying to drag the girls with me in public. Doesn’t help with Amazon, alas.
I got married a few years ago. My new husband is/was a packrat. My garage is full of ’stuff’ — we got a few things for the wedding, but mostly just had a party. If anyone buys me anything for Christmas, I’m liable to make them select something from the garage to take home in exchange! However, I’m always up for gift cards for books! I donate the ones I don’t want to keep almost as soon as I’ve read them — cuts down on the clutter.
Hi, Jody! Taking the kids shopping is a challenge, I’m sure. Do they both fit in a stroller?
I like your system, Pam. :-) No net addition of “stuff” to the household!
I can sympathize. We moved cross-country in April and actually paid the movers to pack my books (along with the stuff in the kitchen.) We have 39 boxes of books!
I couldn’t stop. I get unhappy if my TBR pile drops below 100.
Alice
I can so relate to this! I moved from IL to AZ last year (and back again) and practically divested myself of all worldly possessions in the process. The most painful parting, however, was with the boxes & boxes & boxes of books. Worst still, was when I later realized I had accidentally given away a box of them that I’d meant to keep! I still mourn their loss. Sigh.
HOWEVER, it did feel good to be free of “things”. Unfortunately though, after a while you start to forget and begin accumulating “stuff” again. Enjoy the freedom while it lasts. :)
Hi, Teresa! Thanks for stopping by. :-)
The place we’d most like to move is a few thousand miles away, so all those boxes of books would get quite expensive. I saw on your blog that you live on the Sunshine Coast. Although I’ve been to BC twice, I ran out of time on both visits and didn’t get to take the ferry up there. It’s definitely on my list for the next visit, whenever that happens. I’ve heard it’s one of the loveliest spots in the province.
Hi, Alice! A TBR that large may no longer be just a “pile.” :-)
Hi, Rebecca! I’m SO worried that I’ll accidentally get rid of something I meant to keep! Maybe I need a quarantine system or something…
I hope we only move once. Twice in a year sounds rough!
Every once in a while I buy books I used to own and gave away. I miss them, lol.
Too funny, Edie. :-) I bet I do the same thing!
I buy books I already own and can’t FIND! Argh! But I do look for them first :)
If you can’t find the books, and they aren’t already packed, it’s time to trim.
My TBR is on bookshelves, so I guess it’s not a pile. It has a complete turn over, by number if not by volume, every six to nine months.
Alice