The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store

by Cait Flanders

The toughest part of not being allowed to buy anything new wasn’t that I couldn’t buy anything new—it was having to physically confront my triggers and change my reaction to them.

But then I remember I had to make those mistakes and learn those lessons in order to become the person I am today.

The best gift the ban had given me was the tools to take control of my life and get a fresh start as my real self.