Managing Presents

The easy part of this project is not buying things for myself, but what about when others buy things for me? Christmas and birthdays are critical moments when it's especially hard to stop this kind of indirect consumerism.

When I first thought about this year's resolution, I had the idea of using every potential present as a way to get things that I really could need. I just turned 36 and some people in my environment do not feel comfortable with the idea of not buying any gifts for me. I tried to convince them, but since I do not want to be rude to anyone, I have accepted the idea of receiving gifts... with a bit of secret strategy: the new things I will get, will substitute items that I already own that are not in good condition.

I will replace my four-year-old wallet and some of my old jeans... and that's it! I have to check all my clothes and donate (or throw away) what I do not usually wear so I will replace those items in a 1:1 or higher ratio! It is the most positive way that has occurred to me :)

That's all at the moment! I will keep you posted on my progress!