More Life, Less Stuff: How to Live More by Owning Less
When was the last time you bought something? Was it a month ago, a week ago, or even just an hour ago? With the ease of online shopping, we often find ourselves making impulse purchases—whether it's a deluxe egg cooker while waiting for the subway, sunglasses on flash sale while in line for coffee, or a hot pink cake stand during a Zoom meeting. These purchases often add up, filling our homes with things we don’t necessarily need.
But why do we keep buying? And more importantly, how can we stop?
Understanding the Urge to Buy
Shopping has become so integrated into our lives that it’s hard to separate need from want. For many, like Elysia Berman, a fashion professional from New York, shopping is more than just a pastime; it’s a way of life. Over time, however, Elysia found herself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of items she had accumulated—six lip balms, two perfumes, multiple hand creams—all things she didn’t really need.
Elysia then remembers the moment she realized her shopping was out of control. Last December, she ducked into a store to buy a pair of gloves. But she came out with a $600 coat she didn’t need and couldn’t afford.
“That was my breaking point,” she recalls.
This realization led her to join the "no-buy" movement, a growing trend on social media where people commit to not buying non-essential items for a set period, usually 30 days. But for Elysia, a month wasn’t enough; she decided to embark on a no-buy year, which she is currently documenting on her TikTok account.
Why Buying Less Matters
Reevaluating our consumption habits isn’t just about saving money or decluttering our homes; it’s also about the impact our buying has on the planet. The fashion industry, for example, is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions. The fast fashion cycle, where trends come and go in a matter of weeks, contributes to this problem by encouraging the constant purchase of new, often cheaply made, clothing that ends up in landfills.
Elysia’s story resonates with many who have found themselves trapped in a cycle of overconsumption. By stepping back and reassessing her shopping habits, she not only saved money but also found a new sense of clarity and purpose.
How to Start Consuming Mindfully
If you’re interested in buying less and living more, here are seven steps to help you get started:
1. Find a Community: Whether it’s through social media or local support groups, finding a community of like-minded individuals can provide the encouragement and accountability you need. Elysia found great support in the no-buy community on TikTok, where she now shares her journey with over 100,000 followers.
2. Set a Challenge: Not everyone needs to go a full year without shopping. You might try a 30-day no-buy challenge, or perhaps a low-buy month where you stick to a strict budget. Aja Barber, designer and author, suggests creative challenges like buying only second-hand clothes or not purchasing any new dresses for a year.
3. Curate Your Social Media: Our online environment heavily influences our buying habits. Unsubscribe from email lists, unfollow influencers who tempt you to shop, and consider installing blocks on websites that you find particularly tempting. Many people find this step crucial in breaking their shopping habit.
4. Make a "Yes" and "No" List: Identify the areas where you tend to overspend and make a no-buy list. Balance this with a yes list of things you value and want to continue spending on. For Elysia, this included dinners with travel, fresh flowers, and museum tickets—items that genuinely enriched her life.
5. Educate Yourself: Understanding the impact of your purchases can be a powerful motivator. Learn where your clothes come from, how they’re made, and the broader implications of fast fashion. Resources like Fashion Revolution and Labour Behind the Label offer valuable insights.
6. Recalibrate Your Values: Challenge yourself to rethink the value of what you buy. Is it better to have 20 pairs of cheap shoes, or a few pairs of high-quality shoes that will last? Get to know the people and process behind how your clothes are made, which can transform how you view and value your wardrobe.
7. Give Yourself Grace: Change is hard, and it’s important to be kind to yourself during this process. There will be slip-ups—you may end up splurging when you didn't intend to. But instead of feeling guilty, don't be ashamed of the experience, and remember the importance of resilience and self-compassion.
The Rewards of Buying Less
Choosing to buy less isn’t about deprivation; it’s about making space for the things that truly matter. Whether it’s improving your mental clarity, strengthening your finances, or reducing your environmental footprint, the benefits of mindful consumption are profound. For Elysia, the journey has led to not just a lighter closet, but a lighter mind, and a newfound sense of pride in what she’s capable of achieving.
Ready to start your own journey? Whether it’s a no-buy challenge, a low-buy month, or simply a commitment to think more critically about your purchases, the first step is the hardest. But with a supportive community, a clear set of goals, and a little grace, you can make lasting changes that go far beyond your shopping habits.
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