I got an email (for those of you who don’t know, it’s everydaycait@gmail.com, and I reply to every single email) that asked if I would show my makeup collection. I don’t like the way that it’s phrased, because there simply isn’t a collection.

One of the things that I’m passionate about is the idea of owning less. When you’re younger, I find that you often equate wealth as the owning of lots of physical objects. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten over that a little bit. These days, I mostly focus on the experience s I’m having and the people I’m having them with, instead of the things I own. I also like the idea of not being tied down. If I want to leave tomorrow, all of my things will fit into three Rubbermaid tubs. If I ever decide to go on a trip or something for an extended period of time, all of my things fit easily into the corner of a basement.

The big beauty gurus with roomfuls of makeup come to mind. It’s more than they’ll ever use. I don’t feel that’s necessary. I don’t look down on them for that, but it’s not how I operate. Right now, my collection, if you can call it that, sits in an old artist’s box. This is all of it. I’m even considering getting a palette (I’ve never owned one!) just so that I can downsize my eyeshadows further.

I don’t own many clothes or books either. I do have a few little frivolous items, but I think everyone does.

I find that it’s all too easy to get dragged into the mindset that things have emotional value, and they usually don’t. Yes, I have my grandmother’s jewelry, but that’s about the extent of that. I’m healthy; I have a nice job, and a nice family. I’m surrounded by people I care about. I feel like my life has been interesting thus far, so I don’t want to change too much.

I’m really interested in doing the six item challenge, where you only wear six basic clothing items for a month. I’m waiting for work to die down so that I can start to dress a little differently. My ultimate goal is to have just a suitcaseful of clothes, and that’s it. I suppose this is the long way to answer the original request, but there simply isn’t a collection. When I run out of something, I replace it. I will occasionally try a new product, but if I don’t like it, I give it to someone who will. I try to get a lot of samples so that I’m not stuck with owning a big container of anything, hence the Glossyboxes. They let me try things without that big commitment of ownership. I’m sorry for the long answer, but I really doubt you’ll see much in terms of a collection anywhere on my blog.

What do you think about owning things? Do you own more or less?
Let me know!