Note: This is a guest post by Britt from Tiny Ambitions.
It’s weird to think I’m already six months into my year-long shopping ban, which means I’ve spent the last six months not buying anything other than the essentials: rent, food, and toiletries.
Is that radical? Some people might say yes, but I don’t think so. It was simply a reaction to my life situation.
Owing to an uncharacteristically spendy December (thank you, unexpected car repairs), I needed a refresh. I had felt the slow creep of my compulsive shopping tendencies start to slip back into my life.
It was time for a change.
After six months on the no-buy train, I’ve learned a thing or two about myself, my consumption habits, and the process of shopping bans themselves.
Shopping Bans Shouldn’t Be Controversial
It shouldn’t be controversial for someone to say “I’m not going to buy anything I don’t truly need for x number of days”.
Perhaps it just sounds radical because we’ve been conditioned to believe we need new “stuff” all the time, but really, we know that isn’t the case. It’s just clever marketing disguised as sage wisdom.
We’ve gotten to a place where over-consumption is normalized. It’s normal to own 300+ pieces of clothing. It’s normal to live in a house that is twice the size of what we actually need. And, of course, it’s normal to go into debt to keep up with the Joneses.
When consumption is viewed in these terms, it’s easy to see why embarking on a shopping ban of any length could be considered extreme. It’s so far outside the norm for most people.
I Have More Than Enough
This comes from an absolute place of privilege, but in no time over the last six months have I felt like I was lacking an item. I never felt like I didn’t have exactly what I needed, or I couldn’t make it work with what I had.
Because I knew I had to use my stocks of consumables, like toiletries, before I could replace them, it was easier for me to appreciate what I had. There was no easy gratification option.
Since I knew I couldn’t buy anything, I actually started to notice all of the “stuff” I did have in my life.
This is especially true for the cosmetics and personal care products we use on a daily basis. I never realized how many tubes of deodorant or body lotion I had in my bathroom cupboard until I started the ban.
I haven’t had to buy a new deodorant or lotion since January, and I suspect I won’t have to for a while. (I also discovered I had a stash of seven toothbrushes—in a two person house. How many mouths do I think I can brush at once?)
Mindful Consumption
When undertaking any sort of lifestyle change, it’s initially easy to view desires from a perspective of lack. “Why don’t I have this new, trendy dress?” “Why do I have to drive such an old clunker?” “I need this new shining possession to fulfill my life.”
Based on my experience, that mindset changes once you realize how much you do actually have in your life. All you have to do is stop to notice it, instead of moving onto the next sparkling item when the opportunity presents itself.
This kind of scarcity mindset is pervasive, and one that needs to be kept in check as often as possible.
Are you buying this item because it’s on sale? In the case of my seven toothbrushes, absolutely. But here’s the thing we always forget—if it’s on sale now (when you don’t need it), it will probably be on sale again (when you do actually need it).
This is another surprising outcome of my shopping ban. Rather than helping me reduce my focus on the stuff in my life, it has actually amplified it. Everything I own now exists under a microscope, waiting for me to decide how and if I can better utilize it in my life.
I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Being hyper aware of everything I own will help me make better consumption decisions in the future.
DIY Is An Essential Skill
I don’t know if it’s because of the shopping ban or if it is entirely coincidental, but I’ve had to repair a lot of my clothes over the last six months. My long underwear, cardigan, winter socks and yoga pants all developed holes.
None of these repairs were very hard. I grew up sewing and quilting with my grandmother, used to make most of my own clothes, and even took fashion design in high school.
However, being self-sufficient at something, even if it’s just something small like mending holes in clothes, is a really good feeling. And, it’s an indispensable skill when you’re trying to reduce your consumption.
If I didn’t have these skills, I would have had to replace those items of clothing (or do without). Sewing for the win!
I Love Old Stuff
What? A minimalist who actually likes “stuff”? That can’t be right.
About one month into my shopping ban, I went into a local thrift store with my partner who was shopping for some work clothes. As soon as we walked into the store, I knew I was in trouble. Everything called out to me.
The vintage hard-sided luggage oozed of adventures once taken. Old kitchen appliances harkened back to delicious meals shared among friends.
That’s when I realized it. I love old stuff.
I love imagining the lives of the people who used to own these treasures. Each item is full of history and stories—a time I’ll never be able to experience.
This small trip to the thrift store helped me clarify exactly why it is I love certain things. And, I think that’s ok. There’s nothing wrong with loving any kind of “stuff.”
I’m a minimalist, not a soulless robot.
Certain things move me. Vintage, well-worn, beautiful curiosities are some of those things.
Now that I know this about myself, I can reshape my buying tendencies post-shopping ban to re-align with my values. As much as I can, I’ll continue to replace my possessions with second-hand items when the time comes.
Shopping Bans Are Not That Hard
When I first announced my ban, so many of the comments I received were from people who never believed they would be able to undertake such an extreme challenge in their own lives.
While I have had my fair share of temptation over the last six months (I am a reformed shopaholic, after all), once I got to the place where I knew a shopping ban was something I needed to commit to in order to get myself back on track, it has been relatively easy to stay the course.
If you don’t think you would survive a shopping ban, let me assure you, you absolutely would. Give yourself a little more credit. You can do anything you put your mind to.
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Britt blogs at Tiny Ambitions. She is a minimalist, a simple living advocate and a tiny house enthusiast.
Sigrun says
I’m in the same boat. And I will join you!!! I will stick this on my fridge too. We have to remember – we are enough without all the stuff. :) Best of luck to you!!
Richard says
I like this as a meme which helps to counter the consumerist disease that serves o keep the rich few rich. Unfortunately, it is also difficult in some respects. Here in the UK basics and taxes are punitive and even not buying non essential stuff can lead to having to work full time just to tread water.
Carla Buchanan says
For a couple of years, I did not buy ANYTHING on Thursdays. It was fun!
Mae says
Great idea!
Sarah says
“I’m a minimalist, not a soulless robot.” – had me laughing out loud. Great article. A no shop ban has been on my to-do list for a while now, but in the meantime I like to read about others experiences.
Marie says
This is so inspiring! I’ve certainly cut back on my consumption in the last year or so as I’ve started on my minimalist journey, but I haven’t done a full shopping ban. I think I will try it over the summer. Thanks for sharing your story!
Karen says
I’m so weak!! I lasted 2 weeks and fell down the Amazon rabbit hole.I think I need to get rid of my computer.I am addicted to online shopping.It is like a drug to me to fill out my order and receive my purchases and then I spiral when I get my Visa bill.I need help!!
Marti Hurlburt says
I have a question about your book “Simplify”. Namely, is the copy an e-book or an actual book? I’m hoping it’s an actual book as I have downloaded e-books before and then forgotten where I downloaded them to. I am not very computer literate, to say the least.
Gabriella Hileman says
Hey Marti, Simplify is a digital only book, but Joshua does have two books in print. You can find them here.
Marti Hurlburt says
Thank you for the info.
minimalismlite says
This is so great! I want to go on a shopping ban, I’m close. I have significantly reduced my purchases of ‘things’ and its made a huge difference in my stress levels. The rush you get from getting a good haul at the drug store wears off when you get home and have to find a place to put everything. I’m happy to say I also haven’t bought deodorant, lotion, or makeup in at least 6 months. And for the first time ever I ran out of body wash and didn’t have a stock pile. That feels great and I want to run out of things more!
Hannah says
This sounds fantastic, but how in the world did you deal with Christmas and birthdays, etc? I feel like half of my shopping is for gifts for my large family of in-laws.
Britt @ Tiny Ambitions says
Hi Hannah, my partner and I don’t exchange anniversary, Christmas or birthday presents – so we don’t have any issues that way. My partner handles the few gifts we buy for his side of the family and I buy a couple of gifts for my mom every year. We still keep things minimal, but we recognize that our family didn’t sign up for minimalism when we did.
Jackie says
We are assigned names through an online program Elfster for Christmas. We each just have one person to buy for. I give everyone a Christmas ornament every year as a gift.
SUSAN DYE HILL says
I put an end to Christmas giving a few years ago. With three growing grandchildren, it just got to be too much. Instead, I take each child out on his birthday and let him decide what we will do and where we will eat. I give memories instead of stuff.
Nana Banana says
We do a similar thing for Christmas.
With 14 grandkids, we take them and their parents on a summer vacation for 3 nights, 4 days.
We all live in the same State which simplifies things.
Our grand kiddos look forward every Christmas to finding out what we are doing.
Making memories with family that they will always remember.
Tracey Brown says
I am going to go on the shopping bank. I am a compulsive shopper and need to stop buying stuff I don’t need. Loved this post thank you.