This week I went to John Lewis - oh no! With good intentions of replacing my kettle which has been falling apart over the last few months and our printer which has let us down several times with important documents, and now refuses to print. Both items we have had for some time and I was comfortable with replacing them, but I somehow ended up in the ladies' fashion department! I have spoken for some time to my husband about buying a work-type jacket for the warmer weather, which I can wear with work clothes. I do find it difficult keeping warm but at the same time looking smart - chunky cardigans don't really complement my dresses or smart trousers! But as we are in a year of living on a shoe-string, I'm not sure it comes under the definition of necessity!
I thought today would also be a good time to discuss the terms of my challenge; I've been meaning to return to this but haven't got round to it so far. I often get people asking me to 'define necessity' and they seem to think that my challenge must really mean living on the bare necessities (and as a result, judging from their reactions, taking enjoyment out of life to a large extent). I never intended for this to be an extreme challenge where I denounce all wordly goods; it was more that I had got to a point where I looked around me and saw people buying things simply because they are trendy or say something about their status in society. I realised that I was getting sucked into this commercial frenzy of buying things for the sake of having them - for greed rather than enjoyment or need. So I still feel I can enjoy my life, go to my exercise classes, go out for the odd meal and drink and see the odd concert - but nothing in excess. Making sure what I do spend is within my means and thinking about the purpose of the item before buying it: that's the idea. I am pleased with my progress so far as I have bought very few things that break the rules - as I mentioned in a previous post.
One thing that I never felt before this year was guilt when I did buy something unnecessary - which I guess is a good thing. And I have acquired a self-discipline that I didn't have before of not visiting shops much. And when I do, I ask myself whether "I need it". The jackets - yes 2, I have to confess - are certainly breaking the rules and have left me feeling a bit disappointed in myself! One jacket may have just scraped through as something I could do with for my daily life, but I am not going to dwell on it too much. Instead I intend to carry on thinking carefully about my purchases and enjoy exploring the world of hand-made goods and home-grown food and try better the next time I enter my favourite shop!
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