Great! I often wonder how to shift our consumer culture without being overly preachy. As a multi-generational thrifter and dedicated cheapskate, it's actually HARD for me to spend $$ to buy new stuff. I was part of the first Buy Nothing community, a very satisfying way to reduce purchasing. We drove 30-year old cars until finally buying a used Bolt EV last year (half the cost due to a GM battery recall). I debate any purchase forever and typically buy used items from Ebay, which often supports home-based businesses. The downside is the amount of energy I spend on the process 🤪 But it's worth it, to honor my love for this Earth. This year: no more Amazon. Thank you for creating beautiful resources to make these shifts!
Great post Jennifer. I have never equated a shopping ban with a 'warm hug' of assurance. But I do routinely simply stop shopping. It has to do with your question at the end - is buying this really going to make me happy?
I use wish lists as my fight against mindless consumerism. When I see something I love and want, I pop it on a wish list - either one from the online store itself or my own spreadsheet. I get the thrill of "shopping" without the price tag. Later I look at the collection of items I have wanted.
Most of the time I never buy any of them at all. They were an impulse, not meeting anything useful for me in the long run. In this way, when I do buy, I am usually pretty darn thrilled with the result. It's not deprivation, it's a process to achieve greater joy.
Great! I often wonder how to shift our consumer culture without being overly preachy. As a multi-generational thrifter and dedicated cheapskate, it's actually HARD for me to spend $$ to buy new stuff. I was part of the first Buy Nothing community, a very satisfying way to reduce purchasing. We drove 30-year old cars until finally buying a used Bolt EV last year (half the cost due to a GM battery recall). I debate any purchase forever and typically buy used items from Ebay, which often supports home-based businesses. The downside is the amount of energy I spend on the process 🤪 But it's worth it, to honor my love for this Earth. This year: no more Amazon. Thank you for creating beautiful resources to make these shifts!
Great post Jennifer. I have never equated a shopping ban with a 'warm hug' of assurance. But I do routinely simply stop shopping. It has to do with your question at the end - is buying this really going to make me happy?
I use wish lists as my fight against mindless consumerism. When I see something I love and want, I pop it on a wish list - either one from the online store itself or my own spreadsheet. I get the thrill of "shopping" without the price tag. Later I look at the collection of items I have wanted.
Most of the time I never buy any of them at all. They were an impulse, not meeting anything useful for me in the long run. In this way, when I do buy, I am usually pretty darn thrilled with the result. It's not deprivation, it's a process to achieve greater joy.
Sue, wish lists are great! I like your description of it as a process for greater joy (and intentionality!)