Consumption Confession #2: GUILT

Okay so one of the things I have been striving to do this year is not buy much at all. While I feel that I have greatly reduced the amount of items that I spend my money on, I recently (as in today) am suffering from loads of guilt. I went out and bought a new winter coat and boots. I am justifying it by the fact that I have been keeping an eye out for either item at thrift stores and not been able to find what I was looking for, and the fact that I am currently walking 9-12 miles a week, generally in a chilly-fall-going-into-winter climate. I got both items cheapily yet I still feel guilty for spending money when technically I probably could have made it through the cold season without either. Maybe the guilt also stems from the fact that my mother just purchased me "new" pants from a thrift store this weekend, as I had bought new pants but have slimmed down due to the increased walking and so after one wear, the new pants no longer fit. So I suppose it all stems from the fact that in the last couple of weeks I feel that I have been consuming a lot.

I have to remind myself that I basically moved into my apartment without buying many new things. I bought myself a new chair that will last me for years and that I have wanted for years. I had bought for me a broom, a dish drainer/dryer, and curtain rods, but everything else was things that I already owned.

I can also acknowledge the fact that in the entirety of this year I have bought or had bought for me:
-4 pairs of new shoes, all of which I wear routinely
-2 pairs of new jeans and 3 pairs of pants from a thrift store
-a thrift store dress
-3 new tops and one new sweater, and 3 used sweaters (the sweaters I wear all the time)
-one new skirt
-and one brand new hooded coat (the only hooded coat I now have)

While it is much less than many people I know buy...I still can't help but feel guilty. Do I really NEED all of that stuff? NO. Could I have spent that money on other things or SAVED it? Yes. Do I routinely use the majority of it? Yes. But when I look at my wardrobe, I realize how much other people could benefit from what I have....sigh.....Guilt...Consumption......How much I do NOT feel frugal in this moment.....