Do you hoard your new underwear?
Gretchen Rubin
6x NYT Bestselling Author | Host of the "Happier with Gretchen Rubin" Podcast | Pre-order "Secrets of Adulthood," out April 1st
The most idiosyncratic and cryptic of My Twelve Commandments is “Spend out.” What does that mean?
I have a miserly nature; by spending out, I mean to stop hoarding, to trust in abundance.
I find myself saving things, even when it makes no sense. Right now I’m forcing myself to spend out by wearing my new underwear.
Last week, I went to buy new underwear. When I got home, I forced myself to toss out my sorry old pairs, because I could feel myself tempted to “save” the new underwear. And indeed, even though the old underwear is gone, I find myself re-wearing the same laundered new pairs, so that I can “save” the new ones that are still neatly folded, with their tags on.
Why buy new clothes and then “save” them for months? Not wearing clothes is just as wasteful as throwing them away.
I have a scented candle that smells so wonderful that I find myself "saving" it. That’s crazy—I love beautiful fragrances, spend out, use it, enjoy the candle!
I use pens long after they've dried up, I keep my toothbrushes for too long. There's a virtue and a joy to frugality, and there's a preppy wabi-sabi to soft, faded khakis and frayed cotton shirts, but it’s not nice to be surrounded by things that are truly worn out or stained or used up.
And spend out applies to creativity as well as to possessions. I find myself thinking, “I should save that story…” or “I don’t want to use all my best examples now…” But pouring out ideas is better for creativity than doling them out by the teaspoon.
How about you? Do you have to remind yourself to "spend out"?
Supplier Growth Strategist
11 年One of the most common items that I see people "save"...Champagne. Find a reason to celebrate on a regular basis and drink that bottle that's been in the frig for 2 years!
Fish Monger / Retail Marketing at Harbor Fish Market, Portland, Maine
11 年I had this lesson brought to my attention when a friend's dad passed away. She said his dresser was full of new clothes with tags still on, mostly all outdated because he was saving them "for-good". She said little did she know that he meant for-ever:)
Senior General Manager Strategic Sourcing at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
12 年I use to do the same. But, after marriage things have changed. My wife periodically keep the old cloths out of my sight and I have to use new cloths by default.
Consortium Enrollment / Customer Service at Concentra Medical Compliance Administration (CMCA)
12 年Interesting! I do this too. I grew up in the middle class (like most) and my parents were frugal. That's how we got by. So I am definitely a "save for rainy day" type. I could identify with all of your examples. In the last few years, I've started to make a change and get rid of some of my old, worn out items so I have no choice but to use the new items. Perhaps your point about it being as wasteful to NOT use the new items will stick in my head next time I am tempted to leave that new blouse in the back of the hanger or "save" that new candle.
Freelance Health & Science Writer | Yoga Teacher | Helping publications and businesses share engaging and informative content about science, medicine, health, and wellness
12 年I try to maintain a stable equilibrium of my wardrobe. If I buy a new shirt, I get rid of a well-worn one. If I decide that I need that pair of Grinch boxer shorts, it's time to let go of last year's Frosty the Snowman underwear. More challenging is when I receive clothing as Christmas presents, because often I don't need new clothes yet. So I take a deep breath, and practice letting go. It's only "stuff," you know. Sometimes (shhhhh), I give away the gift, unworn with tags still attached.