Just for the record, I kicked MYSELF out

Today was the first day on my own. Sure, I went to college and felt like I was on my own. Then I got my first apartment and felt like I was really on my own. But it was only partial independence. Little did I know that in the chaos and confusion of post-graduation I would end up once again co-habitating with my parents.

I chose to move back in with my parents because I was just really tired after 5 years of school and all that it entailed. The ridiculous assignments, the all-nighters, the crappy jobs, the meals of rice, the attic apartment void of heat but full of silverfish, and having to work every hour of every day for it all. I needed some rest and they needed a hand so I did the unthinkable and moved back in with Mom and Dad.

It was only temporary. One, maybe two months at the most. Two months later, I found myself interviewing for part-time jobs, just to earn some cash so that I could leave in two more months. I decided this wasn't for me.

With $60 and my life in my truck bed (clothes to wear, clothes to sell, and art supplies), I drove back to Cincinnati. I know people, I know the city, and if I'm gonna hack it somewhere, Cincinnati has the highest potential-for-success rate. I want to be financially independent, I want to be around people that inspire me, and (possibly) most of all, I want to make things. All the time.

Now for the blog. I had this really great plan and I even wrote a proposal. For my 2007 New Year's Resolution, I was going to commit to not buying anything new that I could not make or buy used for the entire year. I was going to have time to prepare, I was going to have time to wane myself off materialism, but I've put myself in a situation where I have no money to buy anything and nowhere to even put it. Right now, the less I own the better off I am. So I didn't choose to start this project now. It chose to start itself.

Starting today, October 10, 2006, I will not buy anything new that I cannot make or buy used. I will do this for one complete year. This blog is in place to hold me accountable, as well as share my strategies for living outside the jurisdiction of consumerism. But most of all, I want to do this project because I want to retrain myself. Hopefully, someday in the future, if I do find myself in need of an object my initial reaction will be to make, not buy.

Here goes nothing (new),

Elle

I dedicate this project to my grandma, (who taught me to be stubborn, strong, and thrifty).