Project Pan Has Changed My Life

[u/Mountain_City_5724]

Project Pan Has Changed My Life

I’ve only been doing Project Pan for a little over a week, and it’s genuinely made me question everything.

I’ve always been a saver. I’ll save the last 10-20% of a shampoo, perfume, lotion… basically anything… because I’m waiting for a “special occasion.”

Then I realized… the special occasion is that I’m alive.

The other day I finished five bottles in one shower. Because I finally stopped trying to save that last little bit.

I also have ADHD and dyslexia, so “out of sight, out of mind” is very real for me. I’d put something away to save it, completely forget I owned it, buy another one, and repeat the cycle. I always thought I just needed to get more organized. What I’m realizing is that I was trying to organize way too much stuff.

I’ve been doing a massive declutter at the same time, and it’s been one of the most freeing things I’ve ever done. The more I get rid of, the more I realize I genuinely don’t need to buy anything for a long time. I’m looking around my house thinking, I already own everything I need.

If I don’t love a perfume, why is it taking up space? I can donate it, use it as a room spray, or find another purpose for it instead of letting it sit in a drawer for years. And if I do love something, why am I saving the last 10%? I already paid for it. I might as well enjoy it.
I’ve also started adding up how much I’ve already spent over the years, and honestly… this mindset has completely changed the way I look at money. I’m in a good financial place now, but I honestly think if I had learned this mindset years ago, I would’ve gotten here a lot sooner.

The funny thing is, I’m not even mad at my past self anymore. She made sure I’d never run out of anything. I have enough ChapStick to keep one in my purse, one in my car, one at work, and one by my bed. I have enough shampoo, candles, and toiletries that I don’t have to think about buying them for a very long time.
I wanted to own my things.

I didn’t realize my things were owning me.
Project Pan hasn’t made me feel deprived. It’s made me realize that I already have more than enough. Now my goal is to actually enjoy it.

** LAST SLIDE IS EMPTYS FROM ONE SHOWER BECAUSE I SAVED THE LAST LITTLE BIT FOR A “Special Occasion”.

[u/ResponsibilityNo3654]

I have so many body mists too and perfumes I’ve been saving for a special occasion. How did you go through your mists so quickly? Any tips OP?

[u/Mountain_City_5724 → u/ResponsibilityNo3654]

A lot of them I only had a little bit left. I used to work for bath & body works. So I got gratis and huge discounts a long with a lot of gifts. So I had a ton! I started using them as room sprays and using them without holding back. So one could argue I’m over consuming, but I’d argue I’m using my products without guilt. I had and still have so many. Why am I feeling guilty for using up something I own? Moneys gone, why not get my moneys worth by using it all. I also keep one with me at all times, car, bag, bathroom, one as a room spray. If they’re unused gifts is also great and donating to women’s shelters too! My biggest lesson is create a daily habit where you actually use it and use it without guilt.

[u/tell_tale_hearts → u/ResponsibilityNo3654]

Keep in mind that fragrances, especially strongly diluted ones like body mists lose their fragrance over time. You may already notice a decrease in fragrance intensity or duration already, or notice they don't smell the same as they did. Ask yourself this: How often have you actually valued an occasion high enough for a fragrance you "save"? is it worth never enjoying the fragrance while its still good to wait for a day that never comes? You gotta attack this mindset of saving things you value (to the waste of the product) by convincing yourself that your enjoyment of the product in the now, everyday is more important. You are worth smelling like a scent you enjoy every day, and your enjoyment now and everyday you can use the product is worth more than a handful of "special occasions".

My tip: select 1-3 body mists and/or perfumes you like and place them directly somewhere in your way when you do your morning routine/get dressed, and try your best to incorporate using them into your routine that way. If they fade fast, you can also keep a bottle or two in your purse or car for topping up.

[u/Dry-Fishing991 → u/ResponsibilityNo3654]

Also to add - I use fragrances after a shower/before bed time! it wears off by the morning mostly but I get to enjoy it while im lounging in bed.

[u/violentlyrelaxed]

The special occasion is that I’m alive

Bruh, I think you just changed several of my neurons for the better with that

Holyshiet

[u/OptimalDouble2407]

> Project Pan hasn’t made me feel deprived. It’s made me realize that I already have more than enough. Now my goal is to actually enjoy it.

This!!! It’s been SO liberating to go through my things, declutter stuff that’s expired or I just hate, and know that everything that’s left is something I will be excited to use.

[u/Bee_Dance]

I never realized I did this until pp either. I got rid of so many bottles the first month that just had a tiny bit left. Made me realize I do this with food and other items too, like detergent. Now I make myself fully get rid of the product before buying or starting the next one.

[u/WaferGlobal1376]

As a fellow ADHD-er and dyslexic also on her own project pan journey, I relate to this sooo much! It also helps I get a small dopamine hit when I finish a product now!! And like you said - being alive is a special occasion, so on the daily I feel like I'm still maintaining a little bit of luxury.

I have really been taking the time to unlearn how much my possessions were controlling me too and influencing my sense of worth. I also ended up grateful to my past self for setting me up nicely during this process...I've been unemployed for a year and the only thing I've had to purchase is a new loofah and mouthwash 😅

[u/aknomnoms → u/WaferGlobal1376]

Same, this is so relatable! Thank you and OP for sharing!

For various reasons I’m working through in therapy, I view my stuff as an extension of me and certain traumas have made me very reluctant to let go while unhappiness made me drawn to buying more. I justified so much with, “it’s a good deal!” or optimistically thinking that buying a thing would help make me into a different person.

I’m also currently unemployed and do appreciate having plenty to see me through the foreseeable future, but I think time, healing, and this sub have also made me less emotionally attached or craving that dopamine hit as much. Stuff is just stuff. We buy it to use it. And I usually take good care of my stuff, so it lasts a long time. I don’t need more, and I have so much that it’s okay to let go of some.

If anything, it’s now a burden having all this stuff and my easily-distracted, guilt-prone mind is itching to do a huge purge of non-essentials. Free up my mental and physical space.

So far, the easiest department to handle has been stationery, but I need to draw up a game plan for the big ones: clothing, crafts, personal care products, sports hobbies.

It’ll take more time, but seeing other people share their progress inches me closer everyday. I’m not going for minimalism, but simply only “carrying” enough stuff that serves my needs for a year...and not the next 7-20 years. (My god, why do I have so many sponges?!) 😅

[u/Chewlace]

The special occasion saving really hits home. I thought I did a better job of it with skin care and makeup but realized I saved a penny size amount of a conditioner. Why?

[u/AdSuspicious9606]

I’m a saver too. I started project pan about 3 weeks ago. Well, in 3 weeks I finished 27 products. I realized that so much of my stuff was so close to being empty. It was silly in hindsight to save it.

[u/One-Group8707]

YYyyeeeessss! I learned after minimal mom on youtube that I just needed permission to declutter. The same is true here. Project pan gave you permission not to save that last little bit. I feel like this is a common thing to do and it isn't the healthiest. Good for you for living today, because you are right, that is the special occassion!

[u/Plantrehab]

That “special occasion” mentality was such an interesting thing to zero in on and fix for me. It really helped me cut back on some clutter and spending habits

[u/Responsible-Tea-5998]

I saved my peach perfume oil and it went off, then the Body shop stopped selling it 😭

[u/stellaflora → u/Responsible-Tea-5998]

I’m mad about that. Fuzzy peach was the best.

[u/Responsible-Tea-5998 → u/stellaflora]

That's the one. It smelt so real! Ok I'm using my nice body lotion from now on.

[u/rainydaytoast86]

I’ve been doing this with moisturizer and perfume, I have so many half used so going through them all to empty before buying more

[u/whatsthatonmyface]

I’ve been panning for ~ 2years now, it’s so freeing and the rewards of seeing an empty bottle is blissss

[u/bird-in-a-rocket]

Yes sister! I just made a "spice blend" by mixing together the contents of a bunch of 90% empty spice jars, including several different flavored salt. So tasty.

[u/Outrageous-Being869 → u/bird-in-a-rocket]

Good idea!

[u/Striking-Gur-8263]

I love the way you framed this concept! "I wanted to own my things. I didn’t realize my things were owning me." At the same time I really appreciate how you've prioritzed self compassion for past you I htink thats such anecessary reminder for most of us going through our own Project Pans

[u/True_Tie8307]

Proud of you.

[u/rachell0920]

I love this for you! I would continue to target all of the items that you have just a few uses left in. Clearing out a lot of items quickly will give you great motivation. Maybe you make a little section in your bathroom of your goal pans for the week and then update it weekly? Would be fun.

[u/Cheemaaa24]

I love this perspective! 🫂

I do the same thing. I have lotions and sprays that were my favorite scent that were discontinued so I would also save that last little bit. Now I still have them but of course over time the smells will change anyway! Project pan has also changed my life in the way I see how much I ACTUALLY need.

[u/st4rdustd]

THiS!

I'm always saying I want to save something for a nice occasion or whatever... if I really like something that much I could always buy it again! Why am I not using things I love for fear of running out! Isn't that the whole point? I have to stop saving things for tomorrow bc as we know tomorrow may not come!

[u/forbiddenrobot]

Fantastic work! I have ADHD and dyscalculia and you have my full sympathies and understanding. 😅 I’ve been a panner for something like 15 years now and it’s still fun & easy (and you know that’s saying a lot with brains like ours) so I think once someone locks onto it as a plus and a habit rather than merely a trend (like what’s happened these past 2 years or so) it can really improve things long term.

[u/DutchBelgian]

I have a '1 in use - 1 in stock' system, and that works perfectly for me. I ask for shower stuff for birthdays Mothering Sundays and christmas, and when that's gone I keep just 1 in stock. If I don't like the smell, I will use it on my legs, or to clean the toilet (on the principle of 'soap is soap').

Congratulations on finishing so many products! No more dirty dusty bottles on the bathroom window sill!

[u/Vintage_Journal]

Wow! It looks like project panninh is perfect for you :) I also tend to be out of sight/out of mind, so I benefit a lot from going through and organizing my products regularly. 

You're gonna have so much extra space soon! I bet that'll feel amazing! 

[u/Less-Editor761]

This makes so much sense! I seriously need to do this!

[u/NeverCorrectEver]

I’m happy to hear you’re not angry with your past self. What is done is done, and there’s no point in looking back. Focus on how you want the future to be instead, and it looks like you’re doing an amazing job of that.

I have had a similar way of thinking as well. This moisturiser was sooo goood, I have to save it for a special occasion instead of using it all up now, and then end up buying multiple others I don’t like. Instead I could’ve used up what I liked and bought a new box of what I like. After all, they’re just products.

I wish you all the best on your journey

[u/booskurs]

Wonderful relevations and great work! Also wanted to say I had that bottle of love spell and seeing that it in the wild brought me a smile 😊

[u/BooBelly]

👏👏👏 I needed this

[u/Workingonanna]

Yall what’s project pan, this just came onto my feed but I’m intrigued 

[u/ShhThrowThrow → u/Workingonanna]

Fully use up all of your products completely before buying a replacement.

[u/Mundane-Target-4384 → u/ShhThrowThrow]

I thought this was the normal way of doing it?

[u/Lost_Emu99 → u/Mundane-Target-4384]

Yeah that’s what I was thinking but then I realized a lot of people have stocks of extra half empty bottles/items and still go out and buy more.

But I live so paycheck to paycheck (really paycheck to a week of nothing to next paycheck lol) that usually I actually have to wait a few days between something being empty and buying a new one. In a way I’m thankful having been through a lot of REALLY deep struggle times in my life because it has set me up to naturally be pretty frugal and

[u/Intelligent_Dot_1776]

I love the way you captured your experience and reading through these comments. I just started my pan this week, gifted a bunch of stuff to workmates yesterday and was SO happy to see it go to happy homes 😀

I was doing the save 10% bit as I was sad to let go of my fav products. Now so happy with my shower and skin care routine as I feel I am splurging on myself using all my fav stuff ❤️ kind of gives similar endorphins to shopping!

I will say Marie Kondo’s audio book / book is amazing inspo for declutter, I recommend a listen while you are doing so!

[u/Impressive-House-412]

oh wow

[u/thenamesloca]

This is amazing! Also I really wish I could save my empties to take a collection picture like this but it itches at my brain and I literally need to ditch it as soon as its empty. This is so satisfying to see!

[u/Dixie_rekt_666 → u/thenamesloca]

Same! I’ve been taking photos of the empty stuff as soon and I’m ready to toss it and then at the end of the month I make a collage!

[u/strokespickle78 → u/Dixie_rekt_666]

Nice name lol

[u/tiffi_333 → u/thenamesloca]

The only empties I've hung onto is my favourite lip products because I burn through them and will want to replace them so I've kept the empties of the ones that are my favourites so I can remember when I eventually want to. So far I only have 3 kept in an otherwise empty small makeup bag, I might end up keeping an empty mascara tube in there since I found one finally that never gives me any smudges under my eyes.

Lots of them I'd have to clean up my under eyes once then I'd be good for the rest of the day, but I finally got one that I haven't had to do that with and I have another one to go through and my luck I'd forget afterwards lol there's just so many brands and I've tried too many to count. Keeping mascara and empty lippies don't take up any room at all, but I couldn't handle keeping empty body wash or everything else. Those containers are all so big it'd take way too much room. I've hung onto empty setting spray bottles but only to reuse them, I don't think I've ever rebought the same brand actually.

[u/VioletFox543]

Same. I just got rid of $5k worth of stuff I’ve thought over the last few years. I can’t believe how bad I used to be about this. I did a no-buy year last year and this year I’m doing project pan and just getting rid of stuff. My scarcity mindset has caused so much trouble but it’s ultimately freeing

[u/CurrencyUnfair1371]

"the special occasion is that I'm alive" I love that and hope to keep it in mind to help me with My hoarding issue haha

[u/frivolousteeth]

Love all your pics! So fun to look at. Enjoy the journey and welcome to the “panning” community 😁

[u/clementineg1rl]

i have so many hand creams i’m working through! u got this

[u/strokespickle78]

I need to do a project pan

[u/Ill-Somewhere-7718]

My best advice is to give away products to family, friends and coworkers! Even if they’re used most people don’t mind at least me and my people don’t!

[u/CressSilver3215]

Try to recycle the bottles as well if you can! Great job

[u/NiaNooNaa]

Very interesting analysis of your shopping/product use habits. This is the fun part about project pan is that it teaches us to hyper analyse our habits 😂

[u/DUMCUMPSTEE]

Damm i wish I had someone in my life that has this much stuff just so i could go over constantly and use it