LIFE WITH PRICE TAGS

After going through purging once again before the new year starts, I asked myself -

Is my self-worth based on the price tags of my things?

Why is my existence revolved around my stuff? One of the biggest steps I took over the previous years was to declutter my living space which followed to living less. I identified my weakness and strengths. I still own a bunch of “stuff” even after all these years, it’s quite challenging journey especially when we are programmed to consume. Self control and clarity can be easily achieved only when we recognize the reason why we fall back to our old habits. Until now I have kept my signature bags that I couldn’t let go and worst I barely utilized it. I want it to remain it in pristine condition, whenever I use it I get too cautious not to accidentally spill water, sauces, etc. in short I am too preoccupied. It causes me stress rather enjoy the function and beauty.

I paired down my things by selling and gifting but the cycle was endless. The concept of “one in, one out” made my effort almost useless and illogical. Minimal lifestyle was to remove all “unnecessary” stuff and be happy with what is left or remain. Therefore, let’s go back to the question -

When did my stuff started to revolve around my existence, more importantly why?

I faithfully reflected on my lavish lifestyle, why I lived pay check per pay check and accumulating so much stuff was part of my life? As mentioned on my previous post I wouldn’t leave a shop unless I purchased something. Shopping made me feel accomplished and sense of purpose - “Accomplished” yeap, that word struck a cord in my core. I was finding happiness and a certain comfort of accomplishment by shoving stuff in my life. It was like “you're more brilliant if you have these and that, you are the best if you possess this amount, you deserve the most polished and expensive shoes… etc. “ Those lies I constantly fed myself to fill a void in my life. I worked in a company that I prayed for and comfortably reached a salary tier I wanted. The so-called status I developed was an illusion that was begging for acceptance. It inflated my ego, not my soul. The world wouldn't be careless if my handbag was brandless. Acquiring those signature accessories and clothing made to feel better about myself as if I have done something good. In fact my appearance remains a total fraud, because in my household I sustained a terrible relationship, piled credit card debts and unsatisfying job. I was a total joke. Moving gradually to WHY Minimalism rather HOW developed me a genuine self-reflection of my shopping habits. The freedom from societal pressure allowed me to reflect and resolve what has been missing or void in my life. I realized during my minimal journey that I don’t need to cling on expensive price tags to bolster my ego and impress other people. Minimalism is letting go of our past but at the same time learning from them and allowing ourselves to pursue the highest form of which we can be. It’s limitless, because there’s absence of stress and we allocate our time to where and what matters most. The price tag we are wearing doesn’t equate to our genuine VALUE. Identify the void what's keeping us stuck in a miserable life then it follows with WHY. It’ll be more straightforward to infuse our lives with the right answers. Our self-worth and value don’t come with a price tag.