Follow-up to yesterday’s “$100 trash can” story,

and

The secret to stop buying so many things online

So, the new trash can arrived and… umm…

It was a bust.

It was huuuuuge.

Like a piece of furniture-huge!

I felt shame.

I felt stupid.

I had looked at the photo of the lady with her foot pushing the foot pedal and I had assumed it was a certain size, a reasonable size. Was this woman a giant? Was I completely stupid?

After a few minutes of judging myself, I had the following realizations about my buying mistake:

• We don’t need more stuff in the house.

• Our current trash can is perfectly OK.

• In fact, our current trash can is a perfect-fit for under the kitchen sink.

Why did I think having a trash can out, in the hallway, the entrance to the kitchen, like a piece of furniture, in a 375-square-foot apartment, was a good idea?

I’m laughing at the ridiculousness of it now.

Before I was laughing, I did judge and beat myself up for a few minutes — at the first sight of the huge box sitting in the lobby of our apartment building.

Did our neighbors think we had a couch delivered? (I exaggerate, but that’s why you love reading this stuff, right?) :)

Now, to the ending to this story:

We returned that $100, 20 lb. trash can first thing this morning — a 3/4 mile trip to the closest UPS store.

Which reminded me of a couple of weeks ago:

One of my clients (who used to be totally disorganized and a self-proclaimed shopaholic), she and I were joking about how her life used to be just a series of awkward conversations with her UPS man — He would bring her boxes of things. And, a few days later, he would pick them up to return.

Now, she has —

• stopped buying things she doesn’t need.

• stopped wasting time online, searching for and ordering things she doesn’t need or have room for.

• stopped wasting time opening and recycling boxes.

• stopped wasting time trying to make that thing work in her home.

• stopped wasting time finding a box, printing a return label, and calling UPS for a pick-up.

Now, she is an organized person, who loves the things she owns. She’s organized, focused, and manages her time better.

If you find yourself buying “a few too many things” online, try this:

First, stop judging yourself.

You’re human with human desires.

And #2 :

The moment you notice yourself searching or scrolling or about to click that “Buy Now” button —

Pause.

Take a pause.

Feel the urge.

When you feel the urge to buy something, close the browser window and wait 24 hours.

During that 24 hours, think about WHY you want that thing.

Write it down.

How exactly will having that thing add to your life? Will it add to your life?

Will it truly bring you joy, or are you just seeking temporary dopamine hit you get when you open the box?

So, that’s it.

Pretty simple.

• Pause your urge to shop for 24 hours.

• Find out WHY you want to buy that thing.

• Then, after 24 hours, if you are convinced that thing will make your life better, go for it.

• No regrets.
  

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