# Minimalist New Year’s Resolution

Source: https://www.theminimalists.com/newyear/
Published: 2010-12-31
Updated: 2024-06-12
Author: Joshua Fields Millburn

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Next year [2011] I resolve to purchase no physical items other than consumables (hygiene products and food). That’s right: no new clothes, no new shoes, no new books, no new electronics, no new gadgets, no new *stuff*.

Why? I want to prove I already have everything I need.

Don’t get me wrong: I will still spend money on experiences—concerts, movies, meals—just not on stuff. Now, I’m not conducting this experiment because I can’t afford to purchase new things; I’m doing it because I’m certain I *can* do it: I don’t need more stuff to be happy.

This resolution will help me focus my precious time on things more important to me: health, relationships, writing, reading, and other [priorities](https://theminimalists.com/priorities).

If I fail, I will confess my failures—but I don’t intend on failing. Plus, telling the world about my resolution is a public reminder that people are counting on me to resolve. So stay tuned—I’ll link to my updates below.

A year without buying stuff is a long time (and I will certainly buy stuff after this upcoming year); thus, I realize this type of resolution is not for most people, at least not for a full year. But why not a week, a month—a quarter? I’m certain you can do it, too. And there are many other life-changing resolutions available to undertake:

Maybe you want to [lose weight](https://inoveryourhead.net/how-to-lose-20-lbs/).\
 Maybe you want to [get rid of your television](https://theminimalists.com/tv).\
 Maybe you want to [travel, get in better shape, and create more](https://www.seanogle.com/uncategorized/2011-new-years-resolutions).\
 Maybe you want to [quit your job](https://www.theminimalists.com/quit).\
 Or maybe you’d rather [start a revolution](https://www.themiddlefingerproject.org/resolutions-are-for-chumps-i-choose-revolution/) than have a resolution.

So, what do you want to do next year?

### Updates

[January 2011](https://www.theminimalists.com/january)\
 [February 2011](https://www.theminimalists.com/february)\
 [March 2011](https://www.theminimalists.com/march/)\
 [April 2011](https://www.theminimalists.com/april/)\
 [Final Update](https://www.theminimalists.com/failure)

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