2020 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[ElainePG]

Goals and Habits

The guiding principles I declared back in the 2017 version of this thread,
2017 Goals/Habits
I created a general set of goals for my bags/SLGs and overall closet. No planned acquisitions, no ban, enjoy what I have, mindful purchases are okay.

• Edit my belongings to what I love, use or find beautiful
• Use and enjoy with gratitude what I choose to keep, shop my closet (I think I got this from someone on this thread, @bakeacookie, was it you?)
• Reduce my possessions, I have enough
• Be selective, thoughtful and mindful for things I purchase
• 30 day delayed gratification list
• 1 in 1 or more out

2020 Goals/Habits

• Practice a “no settling” philosophy, per @Annabel Lee and @papertiger
• Edit my belongings to what I love, use and find beautiful
• Use and enjoy what I choose to keep, shop my closet
• Reduce my possessions, I have enough
• Be selective, thoughtful and mindful for things I purchase
• Continue tracking my wears of bags (since 2014), clothing, shoes and jewelry (since 2015)
• Continue to put perceived wants on a 30 Day Delayed Gratification List
• Continue practicing a 1 in 1 or more out policy
• Review and assess wardrobe adds (bags, SLGs, jewelry, clothing and shoes) throughout the year and at year end for frequency of use (were they good purchases or was I wearing sales goggles?)
• Remember this quote which I have at the top of my 30 Day Delayed Gratification List, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for” - Epicurus or as @diane278 simply stated on her thread, “Remember when you wanted what you currently have.”

The above methods may not work for everyone, they work for me at this stage of life. My goal is to have a well edited collection of bags that work for my lifestyle, that I love and use regularly. I use and enjoy with gratitude what I choose to keep and continue shopping my closet.

Happy new year to my pocket friends and good luck with all of your 2020 goals!

It's so interesting to see which of your goals carried over from 2019, and which new ones you have added, @morebags . I don't think I knew about your 30-day Delayed Gratification list! Do you use it for all kinds of purchases, or only handbags? Are you able to stick to it?

I have added "no settling" to the top of my goal list as well, and just this afternoon it kept me from spending $120 on a cotton top that's almost (but not quite) what I'm looking for to wear with medium-wash jeans this spring. In the general scheme of things, it's not a TON of $$$, not a designer item, but it definitely would have been settling.

Happy New Year, and best of luck with your well-thought-out 2020 goals!

 

[ElainePG]

This app and course sounds interesting Elaine. I hope your recovery is going well.

It is… thank you for asking. The concussion symptoms are very nearly all gone.
I saw my doctor on Friday, and she was amazed at how quickly I've healed. She also cleared me to drive!!!

 

[ElainePG]

I recommend “The Good Lord Bird” by James McBride. Finishing it up right now. It’s about the adventures of John Brown, the abolitionist, and his runaway slave companion named Onion who’s disguised as a girl. Some parts are quite hilarious.

Edit: I’ll PM you re: future recommendations to avoid hijacking this thread.

I apologize in advance to thread members if I'm incorrect, but I believe we've posted book recommendation here from time to time.
I certainly have benefited from this, and I think other thread members have as well… yes? No? What do we all think? If we're reading, we can't be shopping, right?
I'm going to look for "The Good Lord Bird."

 

[Cookiefiend]

It is… thank you for asking. The concussion symptoms are very nearly all gone.
I saw my doctor on Friday, and she was amazed at how quickly I've healed. She also cleared me to drive!!!

That’s wonderful news!

 

[ElainePG]

That’s wonderful news!

Thank you!
And thanks to everyone on this thread for the moral support.

 

[msd_bags]

@Mulberrygal - “As I've got older "less stuff and more journeys" is what I'm all about and where I'm going.” This is so true, and valuable!

Over the past five years my DH and I quit work, moved from a 3,600 sq ft house to a 1,200 sq ft one-bedroom, adopted a rescue pup, and have spent half of the year traveling in a small RV, spending most of the winter in Baja, Mexico. It’s meant getting rid of a lot of stuff and being super-careful about new purchases, and find I’m finally starting to learn some patience about not going after every pretty thing I see. It’s still tough, though, and I’m glad for this thread!

We follow metric system here so I had to convert sq. ft. to sq.meters. I mentioned in an earlier post (can't recall if on this thread or on the 2019 thread) that I might be moving to a much smaller space, likely this 2020. A personal decision. From my current 1,800 sq.ft. to a studio unit with roughly less than 400 sq. ft. (This is just slightly bigger than my current bedroom!) Talk about small spaces!! Real estate prices are going up like crazy here in the metro area. I visited this future place yesterday and I was staring into the cabinets there. How could I fit all my stuff?!!! Aside from clothes and bags and kitchen items and linens, I have 3 big pieces of luggage at least, plus some smaller pieces, plus some winter clothes (I live in a tropical country but am fascinated with winter outerwear for when I travel). These alone will occupy space!! When I furnished this place a few years back, I had the architect build a lot of cabinets/shelves/storage. But now I don't even have "under the bed" space since there are also shelves there. The move will be a challenge!! But I can't wait for the day when I have disposed all my "junks" and can live happily in a smaller space. And it goes without saying, I need to downsize my bag collection.

 

[Mulberrygal]

@Mulberrygal - “As I've got older "less stuff and more journeys" is what I'm all about and where I'm going.” This is so true, and valuable!

Over the past five years my DH and I quit work, moved from a 3,600 sq ft house to a 1,200 sq ft one-bedroom, adopted a rescue pup, and have spent half of the year traveling in a small RV, spending most of the winter in Baja, Mexico. It’s meant getting rid of a lot of stuff and being super-careful about new purchases, and find I’m finally starting to learn some patience about not going after every pretty thing I see. It’s still tough, though, and I’m glad for this thread!

Ooh that's wonderful for you both, Congrtas on having the courage to go with your dream. It's not easy to sell up and take a leap of faith.
I know just what you mean about "pretty things" it's not easy to resist more stuff but I have the bigger picture in mind.

We have similiar plans although we tried the RV too soon. DH is still working somewhat and it turned out a costly upkeep with too few trips! The solution was to sell for now and take more time out in the winter to travel to the sun. We come back in between at the moment so DH can catch up. He has his own business and is slowly winding down.........but not fast enough for me We then enjoy the summer at home with days out, short UK breaks whilst I progress the downsizing..............I can't wait though, to be free of all the "stuff" I spent a lifetime collecting

 

[Mulberrygal]

We follow metric system here so I had to convert sq. ft. to sq.meters. I mentioned in an earlier post (can't recall if on this thread or on the 2019 thread) that I might be moving to a much smaller space, likely this 2020. A personal decision. From my current 1,800 sq.ft. to a studio unit with roughly less than 400 sq. ft. (This is just slightly bigger than my current bedroom!) Talk about small spaces!! Real estate prices are going up like crazy here in the metro area. I visited this future place yesterday and I was staring into the cabinets there. How could I fit all my stuff?!!! Aside from clothes and bags and kitchen items and linens, I have 3 big pieces of luggage at least, plus some smaller pieces, plus some winter clothes (I live in a tropical country but am fascinated with winter outerwear for when I travel). These alone will occupy space!! When I furnished this place a few years back, I had the architect build a lot of cabinets/shelves/storage. But now I don't even have "under the bed" space since there are also shelves there. The move will be a challenge!! But I can't wait for the day when I have disposed all my "junks" and can live happily in a smaller space. And it goes without saying, I need to downsize my bag collection.

There seem to be quite a few of us of a like mind. I'm also going to find it a challenge without the storage space. I'm trying to give myself time and sell it off now.

I was horrified when I saw a friend's small airing cupboard after they downsized and wondered how I'd fit my 16 duvet covers in.........16 why do I need 16? There is only the two of us.............that's 2 covers for the spare room that nobody has stayed in for years and 14 for our bed

I bought them because we have too much choice, in huge stores, online, sales etc..........just too much. Some were on offer, too good a deal to pass up, others I couldn't decide, they were all pretty so I bought two or three ........ I've got decision fatigue just trying to decide which to get rid of or which to put on the bed next!

In the old days when I didn't have the room 2/3 were plenty, when they got tired looking, I changed the decor or got fed up etc I'd get another and throw/donate, one in one out. The end result is the same and it's good to have a change rather than have too much stuff

Lol, I'm cured of buying "stuff"

I apologize in advance to thread members if I'm incorrect, but I believe we've posted book recommendation here from time to time.
I certainly have benefited from this, and I think other thread members have as well… yes? No? What do we all think? If we're reading, we can't be shopping, right?
I'm going to look for "The Good Lord Bird."

Yes please, I'm always looking for reading ideas. I struggle to find books I like now but was a big reader in the past.
Like you say, it will stop us shopping.........ideal minds

 

[momasaurus]

I apologize in advance to thread members if I'm incorrect, but I believe we've posted book recommendation here from time to time.
I certainly have benefited from this, and I think other thread members have as well… yes? No? What do we all think? If we're reading, we can't be shopping, right?
I'm going to look for "The Good Lord Bird."

It definitely seems like the thread police (at least the nasty one) have left the premises! I am OK when the topics wander.

 

[dcooney4]

It is… thank you for asking. The concussion symptoms are very nearly all gone.
I saw my doctor on Friday, and she was amazed at how quickly I've healed. She also cleared me to drive!!!

Yay!

 

[dcooney4]

I apologize in advance to thread members if I'm incorrect, but I believe we've posted book recommendation here from time to time.
I certainly have benefited from this, and I think other thread members have as well… yes? No? What do we all think? If we're reading, we can't be shopping, right?
I'm going to look for "The Good Lord Bird."

Absolutely love a good recommendation!

 

[dcooney4]

We follow metric system here so I had to convert sq. ft. to sq.meters. I mentioned in an earlier post (can't recall if on this thread or on the 2019 thread) that I might be moving to a much smaller space, likely this 2020. A personal decision. From my current 1,800 sq.ft. to a studio unit with roughly less than 400 sq. ft. (This is just slightly bigger than my current bedroom!) Talk about small spaces!! Real estate prices are going up like crazy here in the metro area. I visited this future place yesterday and I was staring into the cabinets there. How could I fit all my stuff?!!! Aside from clothes and bags and kitchen items and linens, I have 3 big pieces of luggage at least, plus some smaller pieces, plus some winter clothes (I live in a tropical country but am fascinated with winter outerwear for when I travel). These alone will occupy space!! When I furnished this place a few years back, I had the architect build a lot of cabinets/shelves/storage. But now I don't even have "under the bed" space since there are also shelves there. The move will be a challenge!! But I can't wait for the day when I have disposed all my "junks" and can live happily in a smaller space. And it goes without saying, I need to downsize my bag collection.

That will be quite a challenge but once it is done you will feel so free from all the clutter.

 

[foxgal]

We follow metric system here so I had to convert sq. ft. to sq.meters. I mentioned in an earlier post (can't recall if on this thread or on the 2019 thread) that I might be moving to a much smaller space, likely this 2020. A personal decision. From my current 1,800 sq.ft. to a studio unit with roughly less than 400 sq. ft. (This is just slightly bigger than my current bedroom!) Talk about small spaces!! Real estate prices are going up like crazy here in the metro area. I visited this future place yesterday and I was staring into the cabinets there. How could I fit all my stuff?!!! Aside from clothes and bags and kitchen items and linens, I have 3 big pieces of luggage at least, plus some smaller pieces, plus some winter clothes (I live in a tropical country but am fascinated with winter outerwear for when I travel). These alone will occupy space!! When I furnished this place a few years back, I had the architect build a lot of cabinets/shelves/storage. But now I don't even have "under the bed" space since there are also shelves there. The move will be a challenge!! But I can't wait for the day when I have disposed all my "junks" and can live happily in a smaller space. And it goes without saying, I need to downsize my bag collection.

400 sq ft? Wow, that IS downsizing! It will be a challenge but exhilarating when you’re in and are living so efficiently! There are so many creative ways now to furnish small spaces with pieces that do double-duty, like murphy beds and ingenious storage solutions. Check out websites on tiny homes for ideas. For winter wear, check out bags that vacuum seal out excess air.

 

[Uptown Luxer]

I left the group before because I failed miserably. Last year I purchased three very expensive bags and I am tired of my lack of self control in that area. This year I made a decision that I will not buy any handbags. I am also going to let go of my jewelry shopping as well. I put in an order for some studs and I finished designing a ring for a stone I’ve had forever and then that’s it. I did ask my husband for a Cartier bracelet last year, which I pray he gives to me .... lol but I am taking my hands off. I need to overcome this weakness of mine when it comes to handbags. I can easily go without clothes and shoes but bags ...... oh my .... it’s a huge struggle for me.

 

[coloradolvr]

I haven't followed this thread before but given my desire to stick to my goal I thought it might be fun to literally shop my closet and come up with new ways of breathing life into an older unused bag.

I came up with this combination over the weekend. I have almost let go of this bag multiple times. Given that the resale on LV Epi is pretty awful, I've always stopped short of letting her go. That and my dear departed mom loved bucket bags and navy/white. So this first attempt is to honor her! This is a limited edition LV bag paired with Christian Dior strap and twilly. I'm trying to get over mixing brands and hardware which will help a great deal in coming up with new ways to wear. I might occasionally pop back in with new ideas! One week in and sticking to my goal