Shop Your Home: Finding the "New" in the Already Owned

Do you have the itch to buy something? You don’t need anything; you simply want to go shopping. If you’re like me and trying to live more simply, minimize the clutter in your home, or save money, then going shopping “just because” doesn’t align with those goals. The feeling of wanting something won’t just magically go away, even with firm determination to stick to a goal. So, I have an idea...

Shop Your Own Home

What if we shop our own homes? Most likely, you have closets full of things, drawers full to overflowing, and storage bins you haven’t opened in a year. I propose that by pulling every item out of that closet, drawer, or bin, you will potentially find something you’ve forgotten about—possibly still with the tags on—that could satisfy the itch for shopping.

The dopamine hit from a new purchase could also be found in discovering that cute top already in your closet that you’ve yet to wear. If it fits, and if you still love it after trying it on, then by all means, cut off the tags and wear it! The dopamine will still hit.

Refresh Your Decor

Or, maybe it’s an urge to purchase something new for your home. Instead of heading to Target, go around your home and gather all your decor items into one spot. Now, evaluate them with fresh eyes. Would that vase that sat unused on your bedroom dresser actually be perfect in the center of the dining table with actual flowers in it? Those candlesticks that were spread throughout the house might look amazing grouped together across the mantel.

Rearranging your furniture can also freshen things up and satisfy your longing for "new." Here’s a radical thought that just might change your shopping habits moving forward: Often, less is more. Try editing—or what I describe as curating—your decor, wardrobe, and even the contents of your fridge down to just those items that you love and love to use. When spaces are cluttered, our minds can’t even “see” our beloved items because they are drowned out by all the other things vying for our mind's attention.

The "Shop Your Fridge" Challenge

Our homes shouldn’t look like a store. My fridge doesn’t need to contain every sauce found at the grocery store or a hundred meal options for the next seven days. When I open my fridge and see exactly what we love to eat and can largely use up within the week, my mind breathes a sigh of relief. It is literal breathing space created by limiting my purchases.

Here’s an idea I used myself this past week with great results! I took out all the half-used bottles of sauces and jars of miscellaneous things from the door of my fridge. I had:

• Less than half a jar of red curry paste

• Half a jar of peanut sauce

• Three-fourths of a jar of tahini

• Half a jar of Kalamata olives

I’d bought all of these for recipes that didn’t use them up, so there they sat. Next, I asked AI for recipes using these various ingredients and looked through them for inspiration on how to easily use them up by cooking things my family would enjoy without requiring me to purchase other random items. It worked! This week we enjoyed:

• Asian pork salad with peanut sauce

• Red curry chicken with rice

• Greek salad (I did choose to buy a small amount of feta for this)

• Roasted Brussels sprouts with a garlic tahini drizzle

I used up all the jars (except the tahini, but I now have multiple other ways to use the rest) and spent less at the store because I wasn’t buying more food when there was a stockpile already in my fridge. Now, my fridge looks less cluttered and I can easily see what we need to eat. It cleared clutter, prevented financial waste, and kept me aligned with my goals. It’s a dopamine hit of pure satisfaction!

Curate Your Routine

Is your makeup drawer a mess? Instead of heading to Sephora, simply open your drawer, toss what’s never going to be used, and curate a makeup routine that utilizes all the products you already own and love. Gaze at your newly decluttered drawer, breathe deeply, and enjoy the freedom you now feel.

The possibilities of “new” are already in your possession; you just need to be able to clear the clutter to see them. How can you shop your home this week and experience a “less is more” dopamine hit of your own? Pick one area that feels cluttered and go for it!

I’ll be here asking AI for creative ways to use up half a jar of almond butter. :)

Simply,

Stefani