Upcycle

Sounds like some freaky exercise concept doesn't it? Well in actuality, I ran across this concept in the last issue of People Style Watch. It refers to the process of reusing your belongings or giving them to people who can make better use of it rather than recycling or throwing your items away. Turns out that I have been doing this for years and was so excited that there is actually a word to call these activities. Because I am an expertly trained shopper...actually I should say 'impulse shopper' I often find occasion to upcycle.

Upcycling has actually been very fun and therapeutic! As through the years, I have been trying to channel my inner scrapbooker, athlete, singer, guitarist, violinist, golfer, tennis player, actor, clothes whore, etc., so I have plenty of things in my possession that people who actually are great at the above listed activities can benefit from! The therapeutic release comes from actually being rid of the items so that I don't feel the constant nagging guilt from not completing any of the hobbies that I purchased materials for...

:: Scrapbook Hell ::
For years I have felt guilty about hoarding thousands of sheets of paper, rubber stamps and organizational tools for the hobby! I would try to make myself feel better by telling myself, I would either use all these items for my wedding invite business or for the one day when I decide to actually complete a scrapbook for my kids. None of which I ever got to. So 10 years after I started this hobby that I never started, I started giving my friends my scrapbook items. These girls are amazing, they make all these cool scrapbooks, cards, etc. So much more deserving of the items that have been guiltily hiding in my cabinets. Now I don't feel pressure for planning how I will never use the materials that I have stored forever. One more thing that I will never have to get around to doing:)

:: Downsize Your Closet ::
Does anyone else out there have things in your closet that you know you will never wear again but probably cost you a fortune to purchase so you feel guilty about donating them? Well that would be half my closet...and my husband has the same issue with "gifts" that he has never gotten around to wearing. Well we brushed off our Ebay passwords and put some items up for auction. Amazing that our junk became some other poor soles worthless internet auction purchase. A bag of barely used kids clothes, J Crew Peacoat circa 1999, and a leather Structure jacket gave us a return of $50 to spend on more useless purchases! Some habits die hard.

:: We Love Craig ::
Well actually it's his list that we love, craigslist.com. We've made it a habit of also being on the receiving end of upcycling. And craigslist has been a source of many joyous purchases for us. From backyard Little Tyke playgrounds, to electronics, furniture and antiques, it's actually quite fun and gratifying when you find a great deal. You buy local and reuse items that could have some how ended up being recycled or dumped.

Not sure if my interpretation of 'upcycling' is all that green, but boy-oh-boy do I feel better about getting rid of my possessions so that others can actually make good use of them, not to mention our occasional super finds from other's upcycling efforts.

Happy Upcycling!