New Year's Resolutions

Jessica loves New Year's Resolutions, but last year, she was tired of the old standards (exercise more, lose weight)! Inspired by some of her co-workers at IslandWood to try to reduce her overall consumption, she made a New Year's resolution not to buy anything new for the entire year.

She established her own self-imposed rules: (1) she could buy food, cleaning products, and hygiene items, (2) she could buy one new item each month, and (3) she could accept unsolicited gifts. In addition, her husband was allowed to purchase personal items for himself or for their family, but Jessica was not allowed to be involved in any of the decisions or purchasing.

Jessica has only bought nine new things this entire year! Every new item she purchased was either a gift for a family member or a necessity for her two children.  Some of the items she bought included a balloon for a birthday party, a book for her cousin's baby shower, and a pack of bottles for her one-year old. Sticking to her New Year's Resolution forced Jessica to get creative in a number of situations. For example, when she found out in April that she was pregnant, she borrowed maternity clothes from other moms.  When Jessica and her husband bought a new house, she was tempted to buy new curtains and furniture but resisted the urge.  She used tools such as Freecycle.com or Bainbridge Island's online Mom's Group to seek out necessary items like a double stroller and bassinet.

According to Jessica, she learned:

• how little you need to consume as an individual.
• that there is a difference between ‘wanting' and ‘needing' things.
• that there are a lot of things she used to purchase impulsively but discovered later that she didn't need or want.
• that while it may feel good to buy new clothes and shoes, there is much more satisfaction in knowing you are being kind and gentle to the earth.
• how to live a simpler lifestyle and focus on what REALLY matters.
• that many things can have a second or third life after one person is done with them.

Jessica was tempted to buy new items many times, but her husband, family, and friends supported and encouraged her to stick to her New Year's Resolution. She succeeded! She feels like she has set a good example for her children so they can start to learn that they do not need to live a consumptive lifestyle to be happy, and she knows that her experience has shaped significant life habits that she will carry on throughout the rest of her life. Jessica hopes that her story will inspire others to make similar commitments and choices this New Year. As stated on a bumper sticker, "The best things in life aren't things." Happy New Year!

*This article was first posted in 2009.