Excellent post, Shira! I am doing pretty well with not buying new things unless it’s needed, on my list, or will add significant value in whatever way to my life. The part I’m having a hard time curtailing is the amount of time I spend browsing online. Although I’m not actually buying the items, I’m wasting time looking at things. This is a habit I’m going to really focus on shifting over the next month.
I love how this challenge, slip-ups included, has taught me so much! It's not about the never buying as much as being mindful and recognizing triggers as well as options to avoid excess or impulsiveness. Thank you for this encouragement and learning experience!
Shira dear! I was on vacation in the city of Copenhagen and went to the Danish Design Museum. I was immensely happy when I saw your two books in the Museum store. It was so cool to find your books in this Museum that surprised and enchanted me with the collection; also for you, who deserves it!! And, also, because it brought me a feeling of familiarity(!) in a new and, until then, strange city for me. Thanks!
I was amazed at how much I wanted to buy and once I stopped myself and reminded myself that I couldn't do that NOW (not never just not now) the urge passed and I didn't really care anymore. And if I did care, I wrote the item down to buy later. And I had so much extra time! I realized that I shopped when I was bored or anxious, or just wanted a reason to stay out of the house, so forcing myself to fill that time with meaningful activities (prayer, mindfulness, walking, finding new music on Spotify) was incredibly impactful. Thank you Shira and Ashlee!!
Needed a place for confession and penance. (Nope, not Catholic.) I bought shoes. I vowed NNT through March and today I bought brown mules and platform loafers. For spring wardrobe. I only own ankle boots, Cariuma sneakers, and Birkenstocks having given up shoes in 2021. So, I broke the "no shoes" vow as well as NNT. The footwear rack in the bottom of the closet is full. Doubled up, actually. Someone show mercy and remind me the principles of minimalism.
All the mercy coming your way! A friendly reminder that the mission of the NNT challenge is to increase awareness of your shopping triggers and habits - not to have a flawless performance. I would show yourself some compassion and then ask yourself:
Do I feel good about these purchases? If not, why not?
What would I like to shift or do differently moving forward?
obsessed with all of this! love the emotional spending exercise you shared. I definitely shop when I’m bored/restless/lonely and have tried to be better about looking to new avenues to navigate these emotions :)
Thanks for sharing, such a good post about naming your why and thank you for being transparent about slip ups. My favorite was the attempt to rebuy your old jeans. I have similarly admired something of my own at a consignment shop! I did a No Buy in January and found the list method very helpful. When I reviewed my list at the beginning of the next month there wasn't anything on it I decided to purchase. I also primarily think about shopping when I'm bored. My husband and I recently became empty nesters and moved out of state, so I am finding myself with more time and it is very easy to resort to browsing. Something I am working on.
Today I discovered Nordstrom Rack. I'd never been inside and once in, a show stopping cream colored Vince jacket stared at me. I touched it, brushed the arm (silk and cashmere), said the word "moratorium" and walked out. I felt all self righteous and stuff until I went down the Amazon rabbit hole and found a caatalog of works by Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, and Roger Fry that I "must have." I put it in my cart. $106. Damn if a friend didn't tell me how to check the list and number of books I've bought through Amazon since my first purchase. 660 since August 15, 2005. What did I do about that art book in the cart? Removed it. In 19 years I've bought Bezos part of a wing on his Washington, DC property. Breathing "moratorium" once again.
And pleased with myself for giving away two 18 month old BlueAir air purifiers through Buy Nothing. Still decluttering,
"In 19 years I've bought Bezos part of a wing on his Washington, DC property." If that's not motivating I don't know what is! Love all of this. Thanks for sharing. x
Thank you for this and all the wonderful posts and food for thought. I’d love to know the towels you purchased. I’d like to refresh our very tired (and much used) towels.
Yay! The towels I ordered are from Havly (https://shophavly.com/) and I am quite obsessed with them. Super plush, absorbent, and each towel has a loop for hanging on a hook!
Similar to your point of giving away, twice this month I sent an unexpected present (consumable!!) to someone in my life who needed encouragement which felt better than buying for myself - is anyone even surprised at that!
Congrats on wrapping up the one month challenge! The 'Rule of Five' challenge by Tiffanie Darke lasts a full year, I am in! Meanwhile, imagine if we could share our accomplishments (e.g these types of challenges) on a single online profile? This is what we help you do at Objet!
Love the part about the lip gloss. That brings me back to when I was a kid and picked out purchases the same way! Sometimes kids are the best at intentional spending
Excellent post, Shira! I am doing pretty well with not buying new things unless it’s needed, on my list, or will add significant value in whatever way to my life. The part I’m having a hard time curtailing is the amount of time I spend browsing online. Although I’m not actually buying the items, I’m wasting time looking at things. This is a habit I’m going to really focus on shifting over the next month.
Ooh that's a good goal...
I love how this challenge, slip-ups included, has taught me so much! It's not about the never buying as much as being mindful and recognizing triggers as well as options to avoid excess or impulsiveness. Thank you for this encouragement and learning experience!
Exactly! All about learning and increasing mindfulness. Glad you enjoyed! x
Shira dear! I was on vacation in the city of Copenhagen and went to the Danish Design Museum. I was immensely happy when I saw your two books in the Museum store. It was so cool to find your books in this Museum that surprised and enchanted me with the collection; also for you, who deserves it!! And, also, because it brought me a feeling of familiarity(!) in a new and, until then, strange city for me. Thanks!
Oh, how lovely!! Thank you for sharing! x
I was amazed at how much I wanted to buy and once I stopped myself and reminded myself that I couldn't do that NOW (not never just not now) the urge passed and I didn't really care anymore. And if I did care, I wrote the item down to buy later. And I had so much extra time! I realized that I shopped when I was bored or anxious, or just wanted a reason to stay out of the house, so forcing myself to fill that time with meaningful activities (prayer, mindfulness, walking, finding new music on Spotify) was incredibly impactful. Thank you Shira and Ashlee!!
Love these takeaways, thanks for sharing! And isn't it WILD to note how frequently you have the urge to buy and how fast it passes?
Needed a place for confession and penance. (Nope, not Catholic.) I bought shoes. I vowed NNT through March and today I bought brown mules and platform loafers. For spring wardrobe. I only own ankle boots, Cariuma sneakers, and Birkenstocks having given up shoes in 2021. So, I broke the "no shoes" vow as well as NNT. The footwear rack in the bottom of the closet is full. Doubled up, actually. Someone show mercy and remind me the principles of minimalism.
All the mercy coming your way! A friendly reminder that the mission of the NNT challenge is to increase awareness of your shopping triggers and habits - not to have a flawless performance. I would show yourself some compassion and then ask yourself:
Do I feel good about these purchases? If not, why not?
What would I like to shift or do differently moving forward?
Onward and upwards!!
Bless you.
obsessed with all of this! love the emotional spending exercise you shared. I definitely shop when I’m bored/restless/lonely and have tried to be better about looking to new avenues to navigate these emotions :)
Thanks for sharing, such a good post about naming your why and thank you for being transparent about slip ups. My favorite was the attempt to rebuy your old jeans. I have similarly admired something of my own at a consignment shop! I did a No Buy in January and found the list method very helpful. When I reviewed my list at the beginning of the next month there wasn't anything on it I decided to purchase. I also primarily think about shopping when I'm bored. My husband and I recently became empty nesters and moved out of state, so I am finding myself with more time and it is very easy to resort to browsing. Something I am working on.
This was such a thoughtful recap. Thanks for your refreshing and morally neutral take on minimalism-- I love it!
So glad to hear! x
Today I discovered Nordstrom Rack. I'd never been inside and once in, a show stopping cream colored Vince jacket stared at me. I touched it, brushed the arm (silk and cashmere), said the word "moratorium" and walked out. I felt all self righteous and stuff until I went down the Amazon rabbit hole and found a caatalog of works by Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, and Roger Fry that I "must have." I put it in my cart. $106. Damn if a friend didn't tell me how to check the list and number of books I've bought through Amazon since my first purchase. 660 since August 15, 2005. What did I do about that art book in the cart? Removed it. In 19 years I've bought Bezos part of a wing on his Washington, DC property. Breathing "moratorium" once again.
And pleased with myself for giving away two 18 month old BlueAir air purifiers through Buy Nothing. Still decluttering,
"In 19 years I've bought Bezos part of a wing on his Washington, DC property." If that's not motivating I don't know what is! Love all of this. Thanks for sharing. x
Thank you for this and all the wonderful posts and food for thought. I’d love to know the towels you purchased. I’d like to refresh our very tired (and much used) towels.
Yay! The towels I ordered are from Havly (https://shophavly.com/) and I am quite obsessed with them. Super plush, absorbent, and each towel has a loop for hanging on a hook!
Similar to your point of giving away, twice this month I sent an unexpected present (consumable!!) to someone in my life who needed encouragement which felt better than buying for myself - is anyone even surprised at that!
Love it!
Congrats on wrapping up the one month challenge! The 'Rule of Five' challenge by Tiffanie Darke lasts a full year, I am in! Meanwhile, imagine if we could share our accomplishments (e.g these types of challenges) on a single online profile? This is what we help you do at Objet!
Wow, a few year! Incredible. x
Love the part about the lip gloss. That brings me back to when I was a kid and picked out purchases the same way! Sometimes kids are the best at intentional spending
Right?! Especially when it's their own money!
There is much wisdom and insight in every word you wrote, Shira. Thank you for sharing your take aways from the #NoNewThings Challenge.
Thank you for reading. x
I'm over here talking to myself too! We're all a work in progress ;)