2016…The year of the fancy lotion.

The Year of The Fancy Lotion … a weird title, I’m aware. Let me explain.

A few months ago, I was looking for something in my bathroom. A brush? Or some lipstick? I don’t remember. Either way, I had to move about 17 bottles of lotion as I was searching. I kept thinking, Why do I have so much lotion? And I realized … it was all extra special, fancy lotion—the kind I get from people in little gift boxes or something I splurged on once because I loved the way it smelled. But they were all almost completely full.

The only lotion I use is the generic stuff I get in bulk at Costco. Because it’s functional and inexpensive. But what is the point of even owning the fancy lotions if you don’t use them? Ergo, I decided that this year, I will use the fancy lotion.

But I knew that if I was going to change my way of thinking, I had to change my habits. And the biggest habit that had to go was accruing more … of anything. I couldn’t see what I owned through all the stuff.

Last week I picked a little fun at making resolutions, but in the spirit of full disclosure, I do have one. I’m not going to purchase any new clothing in 2016. My drawers are genuinely filled to bursting and I look at them and see nothing. I have closed off the creative side of my brain when it comes to my closet and home in an act of true laziness. I’ve wasted so much time and money buying new things, completely neglecting to appreciate what I have (i.e. the fancy lotion).

Now, because I’m someone who needs a bit of structure, I’ve appointed myself a committee. They are three friends who will hold me to my word and help me evaluate purchases as necessary or not. If I want a new hat, does it count as clothing? What about underwear or socks? There are so many potential loopholes, that I need this committee to help me be accountable, yet realistic.

There are also about 4 items (each more than five years old) in my closet that I desperately tried to replace by the end of 2015. They are things that I use often and they have needed an upgrade for a long, long time. The committee already knows what these items are and have given loose permission to purchase them as long as the old version gets discarded.

But this isn’t about being legalistic. It’s about my perspective. I need a shift from the mindless consumerism I’ve fallen into and I couldn’t think of a better or more drastic way to switch things up. 2015 was the YEAR OF YES; this will be the year of paring down.

So on this first Monday of this New Year, I declare an attitude of gratitude for myself and those around me. May we feel content in our abundance rather than focusing on our lack. I pray that we seek joy in our relationships rather than our things, and I hope that we learn to value this incredible life we live.