I did a good bad thing. I went into a bookshop.
Good because I recognised my need to get away from my computer and zooming and email my work day feeling tied to a computer. Also after, sacrificing a huge crate of books in an untimely move/storage intersection that ended with me disposing of most of my personal library, I think I was punishing myself. As a result my bookcase is looking sad (as it relates to books)and not really a reflection of me. I had always been prepared to allow books and reading back into my life and count books as one library in any minimalism endeavour. I loved reading, and I think I still do. I’m still well read if audible books count. But in my mind, they do if perhaps less so than they probably should.
Bad because I came out of spending over $120. So much for trying small low spend challenges! Oh well. Back on that horse tomorrow.
But interestingly within half a page of the body of the first book I started reading once I got in was this quote, from Seneca Letters from a Stoic:
You ask what is the proper limit to a person’s wealth? First, having what is essential, and second, having what is enough
I think that will be a maxim I try and hold on to. I have an oversupply of some things. Post it notes for one. But there is no need for me to punish myself for overstock in one area by depriving myself of moisturiser because of an over supply in an unrelated and unhelpful (to the moisture level of my face) area. I still get a thrill when I use the last of a thing I have reserves of; ink cartridges or body spray.
So my plan is now to take delight in the using up of things. Purchase mindfully. Read more, as per one of my goals. But to punish myself less.
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