Lets chat about lists. There’s a grocery list, a Target list, I’ve even listed “list” on my list. We live in a world of consumerism. We need this and we need that. We even joke about frequenting Target, going over budget and buying things we didn’t even need. Now, let me say, in Target’s defense, I love that place and I shop there often. That’s the only place I can buy Kombucha, tampons, and a pizza-shaped floatie. ⇽((Which item do you think I didn’t need?)) That’s why I’ve adopted the minimalist approach to Motherhood which I want to share with you.
If you need it, I can guarantee Mom knows it and that makes Mom’s the ultimate consumer.
What’s wrong with this? Well, in the short term, not much but it could spark an argument or two on how much, realistically, you need organic, emu eggs over chicken eggs. In the long term however, it could be bad for the environment yes, but lets look at how it can personally effect you and your family.
I was talking to my sister-in-law recently and she shared how she never used a number of expensive baby items. Swings, bassinets, chairs, obnoxious toys. A chair in particular that I too had for Penny, which she loved but her baby, did not. And that’s okay but the big picture is we, as Mom’s, are constantly being bombarded with these unrealistic lives of parents owning vintage cots for their babies that will be drinking a kale smoothie at their kidchella-themed first birthday. And if you live in Los Angeles, you can replace “babies” with dogs in the aforementioned scenario and that would’t be far fetched.
That’s where Mom Jeans & Mimosas steps in like a big sister.
I love me some nice things. I do. That chopped and packaged Whole foods watermelon being one of them. Wildfox sweaters with the shameless logo covering my chest like “yeah, I just dropped $100 for this jumper so what?” and vegan skincare because its… well.. vegan. Is that bougie? Maybe.
But I’m budget bougie.
I cut my fruit, shop at sample sales ((that jumper was actually $30)) and that vegan skincare was saved up for buy working my butt off or gifted due to my reaching out to them ((also, considered hard work)). It’s okay to like nice things but it’s not okay to buy unnecessarily. That purchase becomes clutter and studies show that each room carries visual reminders of all the work that needs to be done in the way of cleaning. A cluttered home, rather than a haven from stress, is a big stressor in itself. It intensifies the frustration and exhaustion that a Mother feels dealing with small children every day. Seriously guys, it effects Mothers a great deal. Think of it this way, you see a bunch of toys, those images go in to your brain as stimuli and when there’s an abundance, the number of stimuli increases and then you mutter WTF to yourself 20 times a day.
Okay maybe that last line was me inserting my own personal MOMent. 🙂
Never the less, this can trickle down to your kids understanding, allowing a value disconnect that can start a cycle of wanting more without every being truly satisfied. However, maintaining complete order in a house with small children is unrealistic all the time. So what do you do?
The solution is to stop and think. Why am I considering bringing this home? Will it add to my life, or will it take away. Will I use this every day? Will it add to my or my family’s cultural enrichment?
Over the years, I’ve had to tame those boredom buys and impulsive wants. Here are some tips I’ve adopted along the way:
ߛ I spend all of Monday at home. I call this day my minimalist Monday. I don’t buy anything online either. I spend nothing. GASP!
ߛ I purge monthly and seasonally. I go through rooms that might be taking too much time cleaning or just don’t feel homey anymore and bring three boxes. Things to trash, things to donate and things to store.
ߛ I visit the store twice a week because buying just once can leave a lot of fresh food going bad.
ߛ When it comes to Target, I use the Target app with Cartwheel. I make a list and walk right past the dollar dump aisle which can swallow up a good $10. Better yet, I do my shopping online and use the drive-up so I never have to place a foot inside the store. I get only what I need. If you need help with this, hit my up in a DM and I can talk you out of that Magnolia book purchase.
ߛ I almost never buy Starbucks because I live in Los Angeles where literally every coffee store is way better. I also invested in an espresso machine. Ask me about all the millions I’ve saved thus far.
ߛ I use the library. That “Girl, wash your face” book is there. Why aren’t you? It’s free!! Plus, your kids feel super responsible when they get their own library card.
ߛ Those lists I was making fun of above? Those lists save me the headache and stomach ache of regret. I never add to my wardrobe unless it’s thought out and written down either on paper or my iPhone.
ߛ When I do buy, I shop second hand first, then move on to department stores if need be. I like to shop here in soCal at Crossroads Trading Co. and Buffalo Exchange. That blazer (from my Instagram TV video) everyone keeps asking me about is second hand. But you would never know! I also use apps to buy and sell gently used items like Poshmark. You can shop my closet here.
ߛ If you do buy, opt for shopping small and pay attention to their backstory. I really like unique stores like Nation LTD who sustainable source natural fibers like cotton, silk and alpaca to bring you the Ultimate staple tee shirt. You know you go through a million cheap tee shirts that you instantly regret after one wash. Why put yourself (literally, you place yourself inside these shirts) through another disappointment when you can reflect mindful design and the less is more motto? You can read more about how they are made right here in LA and make conscious efforts to recycle and create a more sustainable future. Click here to find out more or shop.
Details on this look:
Blouse: thrifted from Crossroads Trading Co. // Cardigan: Tres Vu // Jeans: Levis // Boots: Forever 21 // Bag: Vegan Crossbody by Melie Bianco (gifted)
My hope is that we would all take a step back and really reduce the number of items we buy. As an influencer, blogger, and store owner myself, I wish for my audience to feel that they can trust that what I bring into my home fits my needs and not my wants or because I’m getting paid. Have you adopted the minimalist lifestyle?
