Aw thanks!! 🤗 Yes haha, sometimes it's tricky when you're trying to start recording, because how it looks on the little viewfinder on the camera is a bit different from how it'll look when you watch it on your phone for example. So when I'm just here by myself, sometimes I overthink how my video shot looks.
This is so true. The cocooning instinct kicks in at this time and we want to feel cozy and have a cozy nest. Usually i need a few seasonal things but it gets less and less every year. This year i am repairing purses and boots and "making do." That has been my philosophy all year!
Your videos definitely helped me a lot during my minimalist no shopping journey. I am on day 50 now of no shopping after trying to quit for 16 years!!! That’s the longest I’ve gone with tour shopping. During the last prime days I browsed a lot, this past prime event this week? I didn’t browse at all!! I’m so proud of myself
This is my favorite type of video! Thank you so much for sharing! I’m always looking for new perspectives to help me not want more material things as much.
You’re so right about wanting to buy more this time of the year but thanks to your inspiring videos, I can easily get rid of this ‘want’ (especially when I see how my savings account is growing 😉). What I also love to do is go through my house, look at all my stuff and tell myself ‘how I love this house and the people & pets in it’; this makes me feel so grateful 💓
Thank you for sharing this Vera. This is something I still struggle with. As much as I try to resist temptation I end up giving in and buying something new regardless whether I need it or not.
23:00 I am not sure about an increased urge to buy things but I have definitely noticed that things nowadays are not meant to last like they used to. I am not sure if people buy more things because they last less or if it is the other way around, but it is definitely something I worry about.
The biggest tip about not buying things came from you, Vera in one of your earlier videos. The tip is: YOU CAN LIKE THINGS WITHOUT NECESSARILY OWNING THEM. Now this was such a HUUUUUGE eye-opener, I cannot even tell you. Thank you so much for it, Vera! I heard it a couple of weeks ago and it has already saved me substantial money, I think. It is such a joy when I can walk in a shop, see some nice things and instead of feeling my thoughts racing in the directions of "Oh, I need it! Where do I put it? Can I afford it? Will I buy one or more? Maybe a set? Oh, I need it, I need it!!!", I can just appreciate the object, maybe touch it, hold it in my hand, think "this is a beautiful craft; this is a lovely peace of pottery, this is a lovely notebook, these earring would look great with my red dress" and then put the object back and walk away. No regrets, no afterthought, just this lovely feeling as if I have chatted to a nice, valuable object, but then I don't get extra clutter at home - especially the one that doesn't go well with one another! And another tip I can share when it comes to kitchen supplies, like spices or tea, or tins and cans which I sometimes happen to have too much of: just make a commitment that every day I use one piece of it. So if I cook sth, I will necessarily use some of the spices that I want to finish. I will also drink at least a mug of the tea I want to see ended. And so on. Minimalism is great! I am not saying it's the only right way in life, but I personally adore it and I am trying to master it as much as I can. Thank you Vera for inspiring us for it!
The one-in/one-out rule has helped me greatly in order to keep a handle on how much "stuff" I have in my home. It also makes me consider what I'm willing to give up in order to bring the new item into my home and a lot of the time, the cost/benefit analysis I do in my head makes me realize I didn't want the new item enough to give up anything I already have which just makes me appreciate what I already have all the more and diminishes the want/need to shop just a little bit more each time.. You and your videos are so delightful and a breath of fresh air at the end of my week.
I love how this video comes out the exact same minute I want to browse the Steam store to see if there's any new games I want to buy. Even though consciously I know that the only time I can ever truly enjoy a game is when it's specifically what I want, wait for it, and buy it when it releases. Almost always, the games I get from curious browsing just get thrown into a backlog of games I never actually play or only play very little of before getting bored. Only a few are ones I actually stick long enough to beat. I think it's the promise of future positive emotion associated with the novelty of a new game, but also the dopamine hit in the present of just spending money. There's something about using what you've earned to exchange it for future fun that feels good. But alas, I've curbed most of my impulse buying urges in recent years and I'm all the better for it. The thing I always ask myself when it comes to buying anything is: will I enjoy this right now, right away, and for a long time or am I saving it for a rainy day? If the answer is yes two the former, then it's good to go. If it's the latter, then that's when I know it's just wanting to feel good about buying something without actually using it for its true value. That rainy day actually never comes.
I understand your feeling. What I do when the crazy season is coming is look on my house what are the things that are starting to look old or that are not working for me anymore I donate them or sell them AND wait until the sales begins, if I notice that in that two weeks I dont need them ITS ok AND I only buy the things I really need. Grettings from México. Love your videos.
I’ve been a minimalist for years but I noticed this past year I was buying way more stuff than usual. The regret is real so I’m on a no buy from September til the end of the year. I’ve tried to convince family I don’t need Christmas or birthday even. I’m trying to rehome the things I do need to part with and do not want more things. This time of year is hard to handle with all the ads and deals, etc. At least, for Christmas we’ve found this nice child free walk in the park light show that is usually the highlight of Christmas for me. (Before anyone “attacks” me, I like children but two nights out of month this event does child free and it’s honestly nice because it’s usually a quiet romantic walk for the adult folks)
Oh wow, a childfree walk in the park light show sounds so cozy and romantic!! I totally get what you mean, it's nice because it'll probably be a bit quieter and easier to focus on your walk and/or on your partner if you're with someone. Enjoy!!
Happy Saturday, Vera! Thanks for the tips! ❤ Yes, this wanting to shop thing can be an issue for me as well. I will sometimes think in terms of “will this haunt me and will I regret not getting it a year or two from now” when I see something I’d really like to buy. I’m also practicing “do I really need it.” BTW, I noticed the beautiful pattern on your lovely white shirt before you mentioned it so honestly I don’t think there was too much white. 😊
Aw thanks! Sometimes it's tricky when you're trying to start recording, because how it looks on the little viewfinder on the camera is a bit different from how it'll look when you watch it on your phone for example. So when I'm just here by myself, sometimes I overthink how my video shot looks. Anyway, glad you enjoyed the video! 🤗💕 “will this haunt me and will I regret not getting it a year or two from now” made me laugh
I love Nijntje! Everytime I go to Hema here in Belgium I'm tempted to buy something from Nijntje but never have ( voor 1 of andere reden schrijf ik mijn comment altijd in het Engels😁) glad I'm not the only one who feels like that. Dille & Kamille is another store I always want to buy something . Luckily I 'm fine with just enjoying the items at the store without have to purchase something everytime. Bedankt voor de video Vera!♥️
I was doing the same thing with the videos of nick Lewis! But I wasn't really aware of it... But the feeling of having to buy or even to do something is not a nice feeling to be left with after watching a video. In stead getting the feeling of content and 'it is finished' is so much nicer!! That's what I come here for 😊
Yes, someone else commented about our 'gathering' instinct as well, that's an interesting point that I didn't consider :) Makes total sense. And also, YAAAAY for fall recipes!!!
Even as a minimalist, I’ve had to restrain myself this season from buying all of the things, haha. This season, I got a new planner, some fall treats that are easy to bake, and Luigi’s Mansion 3. Listening to nostalgic tunes from the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins, Imogen Heap, and Weezer. lol On your topic of being mindful of what we’re allowing to influence ourselves, I’m in the “cozy gamer” space of TH-cam and find it really interesting because it opened me up to explore things in a way that I wouldn’t typically-“romanticize” is the word that comes to mind. However, I’ve made a conscious effort to avoid joining Discord communities within that space because I don’t want to be compelled to buy or do stuff just for the aesthetic and put a lot of value on function. Sometimes, it’s good to remind ourselves that we all have those boundaries. ❤️
Love what you shared about being mindful about the spaces we're in online :) Also yay for the smashing pumpkins!! I also have a song from Weezer I really like, I never skip it when it comes on in my shuffle :)
A welcome vlog just now. Books (mostly fiction) are my weakness, and I love beautiful editions of classics. I've given myself a one-year moratorium just to catch up on all the ones already on my bookshelf which I haven't read yet. I probably have 3 or 4 years' worth of solid reading even if I buy nothing new! If I succeed, I will try to extend it for another year. I think it's a question of breaking bad habits, not easy to do.
I am glad I don't get out much. I don't like things being pushed in my face way before the actual holiday - you're so spot on. I had to replace a tiny iron for quilting and loved the research. Your lamp is so lovely! So you. x's lj
I also feel the itch to shop this time of year. I deal with it by coloring/ painting seasonal pictures. It’s a calm and quite thing to do and it helps me celebrate the season without shopping or eating.
I went to Hobby Lobby for a small item yesterday. They already have 50% of Christmas items. The store is just packed with beautiful things. I went in and looked at everything. It was fun and enjoyable. Then I purchased the item I went in for and left. I agree we do want to make our home more inviting for these months ahead. Mostly just because we feel trapped inside. Thank you Vera. Yes, I was one of those people who was addicted to DIY videos. I had to stop watching them. ☮️🌎🌲
It was lovely seeing your home in the evening with the cosy muted lights 😍 It struck me that #1 and #2 kinda contradict each other. I really agree with the idea that when we buy something, it's the not having to think about the item anymore that makes us happy rather than the item itself. But when we bookmark something or start researching it, we sometimes create the conditions for overthinking until we need to buy it in order to stop thinking about it - if that makes sense 😅 I do generally find bookmarks very helpful, but sometimes they backfire because it's so much easier to go back to that item and fuel the desire to buy it 😂
I'm going to say happy weekend to you now Vera (before actually watching) as I have to download your video and listen during my over hour long drive into the city for a Thanksgiving family get-together. 🥧
@francineh.7825 That's so interesting, I never knew people in Canada celebrated Thanksgiving in October. Google says it's because it's further north, harvest comes earlier to avoid the cold of winter. Makes sense :)
I just love to dream about a stand alone house with a really big kitchen where you can live in. The rest of the house is not important to me but I also love to have a garden. I always had that dream but also knew I would never be able to get a house like that. That doesn’t bother me at all because the dream is enough for me. I also love to stroll through IKEA or other interior design shops and see all the beautiful things. In my mind I’m just redoing my home but in reality I will never do that because I just don’t have the money for that. The dream is just enough now a day because I’m also very happy with the way my home looks. And to be honest that is the case with everything in my life. Only the things that I really need (mostly replacements because the one I have breaks down) are things that I will still buy. But it used to be different. I grew up rather poor and as soon as I got my first salary I started to spend like crazy to make up for what I missed in my youth and I overdid this so much that I got into deep debts. They are finally gone but I learned my lesson from that and now a days I’m just happy with the things that I have.
I hate the run up to Christmas. It feels like a tsunami of gabage hits the stores to join the mountains of garbage already there. The meaning of Christmas has been hijacked by manufacturers and corporations and threatens to destroy it and we let it. I got a pop up on my phone to tell me that there are massive discounts on Temu. This bombardment of advertising and promotions for stuff has reached the stage now where it almost makes me feel ill and disorientated. It feels like drowning in a plastic swamp.
It can definitely be a lot. I would say try to decrease the exposure to excessive ads when you can, like delete shopping apps that give you those notifications, if possible. We decide what the Christmas season means to us and take back control by ignoring what doesn't bring us value as best we can.
My urge to shop increases every time I have a hectic, busy day at work, more than usual. Most of the time it's interior decoration, as I see my home as a safe space to deal with my professional stress. At this time of year, I've bought an analog radio and I've also bought quite a few books. Surprisingly, after 3 months of listening to classical music and reading for 30 minutes to 1 hour before going to bed, my stress levels have fallen slightly. And my urge to make impulse purchases has reduced considerably.
My tip would be, when you feel an urge to shop, distract yourself by focusing on something that makes you feel happy/fulfilled instead. (For me that's reading, going on a long walk or a day trip, doing something creative.) When you make time for things that nourish you, I find that the urge to shop often goes away by itself 🙂
I think that it is actually built into our DNA to "gather" during this time of the year. Our ancestors had to gather in the fruits of their labors in order to survive the winter months when food was not plentiful or even available. It seems to me that it is a good thing to stop and take time to determine if there are any needs that could be addressed and making purchases ahead of time. This could be as simple as surveying your pantry items to ensure that you have food items and cold and flu supplies on hand. Perhaps an extra blanket for your bed 🛏️ since you seem to get cooler at night than you previously did. All of this to say that I don't think that it is unnatural or unnecessary to access our needs and make plans to gather needed things to enable us to make it through the winter ❄️ months in a healthy way. I'm also an advocate for the full spectrum lights that are so helpful for people who have seasonal affective disorder and suffer terrible depression as a result of not getting enough light during the winter months. Vera's tips are very appreciated and helpful as always!😊 Thank you Vera! By the way, you look as lovely as ever in your white lace blouse in your light colored room! 🩵
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, that's so interesting! Having our 'gathering' instincts triggered is something I haven't considered, but it makes perfect sense. Love your tips as well. 🤗💕
Yes. I am feeling more desere to shop. I like autumn and I see in one app a lot of things about it. And when I realize I was put somethings in 🛒. I stop and little by little delete things. In the end I get 2 things that was the reason for open the app. Shop is nice but can make you addict. Because we think more is better. No true! Shop something that you need, really like and can pay is better than have much stuff.
I wish I could do this, I have problem with buying clothes. I know i have so many I don’t need more but I see something I like I get it 😢, I’m in debt or anything but still I dunno what I can do feel like I’ve tried everything
I'm a little bit opposite in this regard, in that as autumn continues and winter approaches I've noticed I have a big urge to declutter! I think it's because the longer nights make me feel more 'closed in' in some way and so I crave more space and simplicity. I have to resist the urge to declutter things which I know I will need or that I know I don't really want to part with. The one exception is yarn for crochet and knitting. Something about wanting to feel cosy during this chillier time of year makes we want to buy yarn - which I have to resist as I currently have enough lol
I have been wanting to buy quite a few things recently, but part of that is me preparing for a trip I have coming up next year. I go on my vacation in June of 2025, and I have been planning things to purchase for it since about April of this year. I would write down things that I felt I needed to have, and then let them sit on a list for several months. About half the items on the list, I have decided that I don't really need them, or I have found things I already have that could work in place of that product. There are other items I have thought about purchasing not related to my trip, and I save those to a shopping folder on my computer, and then come back to them several weeks or months later to decide if I really need them. I have spent some money without thinking the purchase through, but I felt those items were immediate needs.
I don't label myself as a minimalist or maximalist etc, as I find them too restrictive and I become over-analytical of myself/my decisions. Rather, I prefer to be intentional and feel however I feel about items or purchases - for example, this week alone I bought a suit I had bookmarked for the last 2 months and impulse purchased a book about Vincent Price (my favourite actor). I don't feel bad about impulse purchases if I genuinely love/want the item and believe it will add value to my life.
When I feel the urge to shop, I try to buy something that I will have to get anyway in the future, like birthday or Christmas presents in advance. This way, the urge fades away and I have something less to think about. Of course, I'm not buying things for me! 😂
Thanks for the great video! It came three days too late…lol 😂…I already fell for some «new» craft supplies that I had watched Dyan Reaveley use on youtube😅 Definetly an impulse buy😬It definetly is something with this time of year, I always find myself buying something, I thought it was just me☺ I don’t have this urge after winter going into spring or summer🤷🏽♀ I went on black friday once, many many years ago, never ever again!! People where rude and stressfull and oh my, just an awful experience😔 Could that nijntje thingy be a pencil holder? Thank you again for the great video. I’ll keep your ideas in mind rest of the «urgy time» towards christmas 💕
Oh yes hahaha maybe it would've been best to upload this video just a few days earlier. And yes, I also have this urge way less going into spring and summer, I'm just happy the trees are green again and the birds are out, and I don't feel like I want anything else. Going shopping in an actual physical store during black friday is something I've never done, but yes it sounds like an awful experience. Also yes, it could definitely be a pencil holder. I've considered it, but I currently already have a little glass jar I use as a pencil holder, and since I hardly have any pens, it would probably mean getting rid of that one. Storing the little candles makes more sense I think in my case :) But it's probably meant as a pencil holder.
I definitely feel the urge to shop this time of year lol, and I think you're right in that it is "that time of year". I am not a minimalist, but I do try and learn from minimalism (it did help me declutter). I quit most social media, but I am on a couple of Diaxord fandom servers, and members will share merch they've acquired, and it makes me want more merch lol. But then I think...do I really want this? I often try and look at my space through another's eyes. Like, if I were coming here for the first time, what would I think/see?
I told my husband just yesterday that I wanted to get out (more). I've been in the house or yard mostly since the Covid lockdown, and now I have mobility issues. He: What would you get? Me: I don't know! 🚩🚩🚩After consideration, I asked myself, "Is there anything I NEED at this point in time?"
"Think through a purchase." I've been contemplating buying a new Demon Slayer t-shirt and new Princess Mononoke t-shirt for, like, a month. Maybe I should just pull the trigger. 😂😂😂
I didn't know Miffy was Dutch. I have loved her (him?) since I was wee. Even as an adult I have adored her. Thank you for reminding me! I actually might have to buy that... Just kidding! I did unsubscribe to every single marketing email that sends me unwanted ads every single day. Thanks for the inspiration.
I really enjoy our traditions, for every season we unpack our things we use every year. I did see a really pretty halloween pumkin in a store but my daughter do crochet and she made me 4 small pumkins some years ago and they are cute, seasonal and something with emotional value instead of a cute but also generic pumkin from a store. Oh, I find black friday is the best time to unsubscribe from all newsletters! This year we’re going to do less for christmas, not as many gifts and keeping within our budget.
Nice book from heamin sunim, i have the dutch version of it, i have not read it yet because i now reading the silmerilion from J.J.R. Tolkien( i have the dutch version of the silmerilion) it is a great book with lots of extra information and stories of how middle earth is created in the first era. Its like the creation story of middle earth.
An excellent video Vera and you definitely don’t look like a floating head lol, you look beautiful, your top is a pretty off white on screen and looks perfect ❤
Yeah I think we are subliminally programmed to spend money at this time of year its things like Black Friday and pre Christmas sales etc. Yeah i never buy anything straight away now i wait and if I still want it after a few weeks even months then i go ahead
My need to declutter and my wanting to buy things are intertwined. I think that if I find the perfect "go to" clothing, I will be able to live with less clothing items. For example I have this one denim barn coat (jacket) that I wear frequently. It wasn't even expensive. That's what I want the majority of my clothes to be so I keep buying various items which in the end don't turn out to be something that fills the bill. The color may not be quite right or the fit isn't perfect or the material isn't what I thought it would be. I really want to live with less yet I still keep buying to find the exact items that will be "the ones".
Yes, I have to shop for others for Christmas and this is always hard for me because it makes me also want to buy things for our home. I just wanted to mention that music is a great way to get a endorphin lift . I always appreciate hearing your thoughts Vera.
Hi Vera! I always love your balance and perspective. I too have splurged more this month than all year. I love this season with hunkering down and nesting before the really cold weather starts. I’ve actually been on a no/very low buy year, and done well overall. I’ve also done a journal of new, decluttered, replace, and trashed items so far this year like you showed in one of your videos. That’s been really helpful and enlightening. I haven’t bought a lot, but surprisingly I was not overly concerned about the $ which is NOT normal. The few items I bought have been very well made and very needed, and I’m still looking for a cozy soft duvet cover. I love having my cozy things about me in my cozy little nest 🪹 ❤ It is my sanctuary, and as you pointed out so well, the lives of those around us don’t necessarily depict reality, nor would we be “happier” in their lifestyle. I think once you find out who you really are, then your “wants” often fade in the background and you curate the true things, people, and ideas that bring you joy. Your ideas 💡 as always are spot on! 😊
The shirt and hair is perfect 👌 Don't overthink it😊
Aw thanks!! 🤗 Yes haha, sometimes it's tricky when you're trying to start recording, because how it looks on the little viewfinder on the camera is a bit different from how it'll look when you watch it on your phone for example. So when I'm just here by myself, sometimes I overthink how my video shot looks.
You look great! Agree with this comment - no need to overthink it
You look just fine ! Don't worry about it
This is so true. The cocooning instinct kicks in at this time and we want to feel cozy and have a cozy nest. Usually i need a few seasonal things but it gets less and less every year. This year i am repairing purses and boots and "making do." That has been my philosophy all year!
Your videos definitely helped me a lot during my minimalist no shopping journey. I am on day 50 now of no shopping after trying to quit for 16 years!!! That’s the longest I’ve gone with tour shopping. During the last prime days I browsed a lot, this past prime event this week? I didn’t browse at all!! I’m so proud of myself
Oh you can definitely be proud of yourself, way to gooooo!!! 🤗💕
This is my favorite type of video! Thank you so much for sharing! I’m always looking for new perspectives to help me not want more material things as much.
Happy to hear you enjoyed it Sarah!! Have a wonderful weekend 🤗💕🍵
You’re so right about wanting to buy more this time of the year but thanks to your inspiring videos, I can easily get rid of this ‘want’ (especially when I see how my savings account is growing 😉). What I also love to do is go through my house, look at all my stuff and tell myself ‘how I love this house and the people & pets in it’; this makes me feel so grateful 💓
Thank you for sharing this Vera. This is something I still struggle with. As much as I try to resist temptation I end up giving in and buying something new regardless whether I need it or not.
23:00 I am not sure about an increased urge to buy things but I have definitely noticed that things nowadays are not meant to last like they used to. I am not sure if people buy more things because they last less or if it is the other way around, but it is definitely something I worry about.
The biggest tip about not buying things came from you, Vera in one of your earlier videos. The tip is: YOU CAN LIKE THINGS WITHOUT NECESSARILY OWNING THEM.
Now this was such a HUUUUUGE eye-opener, I cannot even tell you. Thank you so much for it, Vera! I heard it a couple of weeks ago and it has already saved me substantial money, I think. It is such a joy when I can walk in a shop, see some nice things and instead of feeling my thoughts racing in the directions of "Oh, I need it! Where do I put it? Can I afford it? Will I buy one or more? Maybe a set? Oh, I need it, I need it!!!", I can just appreciate the object, maybe touch it, hold it in my hand, think "this is a beautiful craft; this is a lovely peace of pottery, this is a lovely notebook, these earring would look great with my red dress" and then put the object back and walk away. No regrets, no afterthought, just this lovely feeling as if I have chatted to a nice, valuable object, but then I don't get extra clutter at home - especially the one that doesn't go well with one another!
And another tip I can share when it comes to kitchen supplies, like spices or tea, or tins and cans which I sometimes happen to have too much of: just make a commitment that every day I use one piece of it. So if I cook sth, I will necessarily use some of the spices that I want to finish. I will also drink at least a mug of the tea I want to see ended. And so on.
Minimalism is great! I am not saying it's the only right way in life, but I personally adore it and I am trying to master it as much as I can. Thank you Vera for inspiring us for it!
The one-in/one-out rule has helped me greatly in order to keep a handle on how much "stuff" I have in my home. It also makes me consider what I'm willing to give up in order to bring the new item into my home and a lot of the time, the cost/benefit analysis I do in my head makes me realize I didn't want the new item enough to give up anything I already have which just makes me appreciate what I already have all the more and diminishes the want/need to shop just a little bit more each time.. You and your videos are so delightful and a breath of fresh air at the end of my week.
Perfect timing! 12:30am and I've been obsessively "researching" adult loft beds and furniture to go with them.
Hahahaha except for the time (I fall asleep way earlier) this is very relatable.
I love how this video comes out the exact same minute I want to browse the Steam store to see if there's any new games I want to buy. Even though consciously I know that the only time I can ever truly enjoy a game is when it's specifically what I want, wait for it, and buy it when it releases.
Almost always, the games I get from curious browsing just get thrown into a backlog of games I never actually play or only play very little of before getting bored. Only a few are ones I actually stick long enough to beat.
I think it's the promise of future positive emotion associated with the novelty of a new game, but also the dopamine hit in the present of just spending money. There's something about using what you've earned to exchange it for future fun that feels good.
But alas, I've curbed most of my impulse buying urges in recent years and I'm all the better for it.
The thing I always ask myself when it comes to buying anything is: will I enjoy this right now, right away, and for a long time or am I saving it for a rainy day? If the answer is yes two the former, then it's good to go. If it's the latter, then that's when I know it's just wanting to feel good about buying something without actually using it for its true value. That rainy day actually never comes.
Really good points! 🤗 And very relatable. I also only buy a new game when I want to start playing it immediately, and not for my backlog.
I understand your feeling. What I do when the crazy season is coming is look on my house what are the things that are starting to look old or that are not working for me anymore I donate them or sell them AND wait until the sales begins, if I notice that in that two weeks I dont need them ITS ok AND I only buy the things I really need. Grettings from México. Love your videos.
Hahaha calling it 'the crazy season' sounds very appropriate 😁 Love the tip you shared!! Have a lovely weekend
I’ve been a minimalist for years but I noticed this past year I was buying way more stuff than usual. The regret is real so I’m on a no buy from September til the end of the year. I’ve tried to convince family I don’t need Christmas or birthday even. I’m trying to rehome the things I do need to part with and do not want more things. This time of year is hard to handle with all the ads and deals, etc. At least, for Christmas we’ve found this nice child free walk in the park light show that is usually the highlight of Christmas for me. (Before anyone “attacks” me, I like children but two nights out of month this event does child free and it’s honestly nice because it’s usually a quiet romantic walk for the adult folks)
Oh wow, a childfree walk in the park light show sounds so cozy and romantic!! I totally get what you mean, it's nice because it'll probably be a bit quieter and easier to focus on your walk and/or on your partner if you're with someone. Enjoy!!
As a childless catlady, I really appreciate child-free spaces periodically.
Love it, Vera! Love it when you distilled a wisdom from different interesting books in a single video❤That is making your videos extremely valuable🎉
Thank you so much i literally needed to hear this! I will stick to using up what I have before I get anything new.
You're so welcome, glad you enjoyed the vid :) Have a great weekend!!
Happy Saturday, Vera! Thanks for the tips! ❤ Yes, this wanting to shop thing can be an issue for me as well. I will sometimes think in terms of “will this haunt me and will I regret not getting it a year or two from now” when I see something I’d really like to buy. I’m also practicing “do I really need it.”
BTW, I noticed the beautiful pattern on your lovely white shirt before you mentioned it so honestly I don’t think there was too much white. 😊
Aw thanks! Sometimes it's tricky when you're trying to start recording, because how it looks on the little viewfinder on the camera is a bit different from how it'll look when you watch it on your phone for example. So when I'm just here by myself, sometimes I overthink how my video shot looks. Anyway, glad you enjoyed the video! 🤗💕 “will this haunt me and will I regret not getting it a year or two from now” made me laugh
@@SimpleHappyZen I totally hear you about the overthinking thing… I’m HSP, too. 😊 You do a great job! ❤️
I love Nijntje! Everytime I go to Hema here in Belgium I'm tempted to buy something from Nijntje but never have ( voor 1 of andere reden schrijf ik mijn comment altijd in het Engels😁) glad I'm not the only one who feels like that. Dille & Kamille is another store I always want to buy something . Luckily I 'm fine with just enjoying the items at the store without have to purchase something everytime. Bedankt voor de video Vera!♥️
I was doing the same thing with the videos of nick Lewis! But I wasn't really aware of it... But the feeling of having to buy or even to do something is not a nice feeling to be left with after watching a video. In stead getting the feeling of content and 'it is finished' is so much nicer!! That's what I come here for 😊
It is the season of gathering, maybe it's built into us and we can redirect it to stock up the pantry and try some fall recipes.
Yes, someone else commented about our 'gathering' instinct as well, that's an interesting point that I didn't consider :) Makes total sense. And also, YAAAAY for fall recipes!!!
Even as a minimalist, I’ve had to restrain myself this season from buying all of the things, haha. This season, I got a new planner, some fall treats that are easy to bake, and Luigi’s Mansion 3. Listening to nostalgic tunes from the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins, Imogen Heap, and Weezer. lol
On your topic of being mindful of what we’re allowing to influence ourselves, I’m in the “cozy gamer” space of TH-cam and find it really interesting because it opened me up to explore things in a way that I wouldn’t typically-“romanticize” is the word that comes to mind. However, I’ve made a conscious effort to avoid joining Discord communities within that space because I don’t want to be compelled to buy or do stuff just for the aesthetic and put a lot of value on function. Sometimes, it’s good to remind ourselves that we all have those boundaries. ❤️
Love what you shared about being mindful about the spaces we're in online :) Also yay for the smashing pumpkins!! I also have a song from Weezer I really like, I never skip it when it comes on in my shuffle :)
A welcome vlog just now. Books (mostly fiction) are my weakness, and I love beautiful editions of classics. I've given myself a one-year moratorium just to catch up on all the ones already on my bookshelf which I haven't read yet. I probably have 3 or 4 years' worth of solid reading even if I buy nothing new! If I succeed, I will try to extend it for another year. I think it's a question of breaking bad habits, not easy to do.
Same here! My Kindle library is full and 3 paperback books have snuck (?) into my house.
I am glad I don't get out much. I don't like things being pushed in my face way before the actual holiday - you're so spot on. I had to replace a tiny iron for quilting and loved the research. Your lamp is so lovely! So you. x's lj
I also feel the itch to shop this time of year. I deal with it by coloring/ painting seasonal pictures. It’s a calm and quite thing to do and it helps me celebrate the season without shopping or eating.
I love that book, thanks Vera❤ Happy Autumn 😊 Take care always. Greetings from Finland❤
I love the white shirt, it looks very pretty on you
I went to Hobby Lobby for a small item yesterday. They already have 50% of Christmas items. The store is just packed with beautiful things. I went in and looked at everything. It was fun and enjoyable. Then I purchased the item I went in for and left. I agree we do want to make our home more inviting for these months ahead. Mostly just because we feel trapped inside. Thank you Vera. Yes, I was one of those people who was addicted to DIY videos. I had to stop watching them. ☮️🌎🌲
It was lovely seeing your home in the evening with the cosy muted lights 😍
It struck me that #1 and #2 kinda contradict each other. I really agree with the idea that when we buy something, it's the not having to think about the item anymore that makes us happy rather than the item itself. But when we bookmark something or start researching it, we sometimes create the conditions for overthinking until we need to buy it in order to stop thinking about it - if that makes sense 😅 I do generally find bookmarks very helpful, but sometimes they backfire because it's so much easier to go back to that item and fuel the desire to buy it 😂
I'm going to say happy weekend to you now Vera (before actually watching) as I have to download your video and listen during my over hour long drive into the city for a Thanksgiving family get-together. 🥧
Happy weekend to you too Francine! 🤗 Isn't Thanksgiving a few weeks away? :)
@@SimpleHappyZen I'm in Canada and we have our Thanksgiving this weekend 🙂
It’s not even Halloween yet lol
@@itsjorgeroblox1779 I live in Canada not the US.
@francineh.7825 That's so interesting, I never knew people in Canada celebrated Thanksgiving in October. Google says it's because it's further north, harvest comes earlier to avoid the cold of winter. Makes sense :)
Listening while I prepare for work! Thank you Vera. 😊
Such wise advice. Thank you 🙂
I thought that cute bunny cup was My Melody! 🩷
I just love to dream about a stand alone house with a really big kitchen where you can live in. The rest of the house is not important to me but I also love to have a garden. I always had that dream but also knew I would never be able to get a house like that. That doesn’t bother me at all because the dream is enough for me. I also love to stroll through IKEA or other interior design shops and see all the beautiful things. In my mind I’m just redoing my home but in reality I will never do that because I just don’t have the money for that. The dream is just enough now a day because I’m also very happy with the way my home looks. And to be honest that is the case with everything in my life. Only the things that I really need (mostly replacements because the one I have breaks down) are things that I will still buy. But it used to be different. I grew up rather poor and as soon as I got my first salary I started to spend like crazy to make up for what I missed in my youth and I overdid this so much that I got into deep debts. They are finally gone but I learned my lesson from that and now a days I’m just happy with the things that I have.
I hate the run up to Christmas. It feels like a tsunami of gabage hits the stores to join the mountains of garbage already there. The meaning of Christmas has been hijacked by manufacturers and corporations and threatens to destroy it and we let it.
I got a pop up on my phone to tell me that there are massive discounts on Temu. This bombardment of advertising and promotions for stuff has reached the stage now where it almost makes me feel ill and disorientated. It feels like drowning in a plastic swamp.
It can definitely be a lot. I would say try to decrease the exposure to excessive ads when you can, like delete shopping apps that give you those notifications, if possible. We decide what the Christmas season means to us and take back control by ignoring what doesn't bring us value as best we can.
My urge to shop increases every time I have a hectic, busy day at work, more than usual. Most of the time it's interior decoration, as I see my home as a safe space to deal with my professional stress.
At this time of year, I've bought an analog radio and I've also bought quite a few books. Surprisingly, after 3 months of listening to classical music and reading for 30 minutes to 1 hour before going to bed, my stress levels have fallen slightly. And my urge to make impulse purchases has reduced considerably.
I love Nick Lewis and Elin Lesser! they are both amazing
My tip would be, when you feel an urge to shop, distract yourself by focusing on something that makes you feel happy/fulfilled instead. (For me that's reading, going on a long walk or a day trip, doing something creative.) When you make time for things that nourish you, I find that the urge to shop often goes away by itself 🙂
I think that it is actually built into our DNA to "gather" during this time of the year. Our ancestors had to gather in the fruits of their labors in order to survive the winter months when food was not plentiful or even available.
It seems to me that it is a good thing to stop and take time to determine if there are any needs that could be addressed and making purchases ahead of time. This could be as simple as surveying your pantry items to ensure that you have food items and cold and flu supplies on hand. Perhaps an extra blanket for your bed 🛏️ since you seem to get cooler at night than you previously did.
All of this to say that I don't think that it is unnatural or unnecessary to access our needs and make plans to gather needed things to enable us to make it through the winter ❄️ months in a healthy way.
I'm also an advocate for the full spectrum lights that are so helpful for people who have seasonal affective disorder and suffer terrible depression as a result of not getting enough light during the winter months.
Vera's tips are very appreciated and helpful as always!😊 Thank you Vera!
By the way, you look as lovely as ever in your white lace blouse in your light colored room! 🩵
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, that's so interesting! Having our 'gathering' instincts triggered is something I haven't considered, but it makes perfect sense. Love your tips as well. 🤗💕
Love the blouse you are wearing. I’d impulse buy it 😂
I love your earrings!
Thanks! I love them too :) Got them for my birthday this year from my boyfriend, they're from Ana Luisa :)
Yes.
I am feeling more desere to shop.
I like autumn and I see in one app a lot of things about it.
And when I realize I was put somethings in 🛒.
I stop and little by little delete things. In the end I get 2 things that was the reason for open the app.
Shop is nice but can make you addict.
Because we think more is better. No true!
Shop something that you need, really like and can pay is better than have much stuff.
As a minimalist, the easiest step for me was to not buy things that you do not need at all.
I wish I could do this, I have problem with buying clothes. I know i have so many I don’t need more but I see something I like I get it 😢, I’m in debt or anything but still I dunno what I can do feel like I’ve tried everything
I'm a little bit opposite in this regard, in that as autumn continues and winter approaches I've noticed I have a big urge to declutter! I think it's because the longer nights make me feel more 'closed in' in some way and so I crave more space and simplicity. I have to resist the urge to declutter things which I know I will need or that I know I don't really want to part with. The one exception is yarn for crochet and knitting. Something about wanting to feel cosy during this chillier time of year makes we want to buy yarn - which I have to resist as I currently have enough lol
I have been wanting to buy quite a few things recently, but part of that is me preparing for a trip I have coming up next year. I go on my vacation in June of 2025, and I have been planning things to purchase for it since about April of this year. I would write down things that I felt I needed to have, and then let them sit on a list for several months. About half the items on the list, I have decided that I don't really need them, or I have found things I already have that could work in place of that product. There are other items I have thought about purchasing not related to my trip, and I save those to a shopping folder on my computer, and then come back to them several weeks or months later to decide if I really need them. I have spent some money without thinking the purchase through, but I felt those items were immediate needs.
Love autumn it very romantic especially if have a log fire my favourite seasons
miffy is the cutest! I moved to the netherlands for a few months and every time I'm in hema I'd like to get all the cute miffy merch :)
I don't label myself as a minimalist or maximalist etc, as I find them too restrictive and I become over-analytical of myself/my decisions. Rather, I prefer to be intentional and feel however I feel about items or purchases - for example, this week alone I bought a suit I had bookmarked for the last 2 months and impulse purchased a book about Vincent Price (my favourite actor). I don't feel bad about impulse purchases if I genuinely love/want the item and believe it will add value to my life.
Yes,, thank you for the good video,
You're so welcome 🤗🍵 Have a great weekend!
fumio sasaki-goodbeye things is about this too- its the endless cycle of wanting stuff...it really is never ending i guess
You look beautiful with white.
Seems like a Dayse flower ♡
When I feel the urge to shop, I try to buy something that I will have to get anyway in the future, like birthday or Christmas presents in advance. This way, the urge fades away and I have something less to think about. Of course, I'm not buying things for me! 😂
Thanks for the great video! It came three days too late…lol 😂…I already fell for some «new» craft supplies that I had watched Dyan Reaveley use on youtube😅 Definetly an impulse buy😬It definetly is something with this time of year, I always find myself buying something, I thought it was just me☺ I don’t have this urge after winter going into spring or summer🤷🏽♀ I went on black friday once, many many years ago, never ever again!! People where rude and stressfull and oh my, just an awful experience😔 Could that nijntje thingy be a pencil holder? Thank you again for the great video. I’ll keep your ideas in mind rest of the «urgy time» towards christmas 💕
Oh yes hahaha maybe it would've been best to upload this video just a few days earlier. And yes, I also have this urge way less going into spring and summer, I'm just happy the trees are green again and the birds are out, and I don't feel like I want anything else. Going shopping in an actual physical store during black friday is something I've never done, but yes it sounds like an awful experience.
Also yes, it could definitely be a pencil holder. I've considered it, but I currently already have a little glass jar I use as a pencil holder, and since I hardly have any pens, it would probably mean getting rid of that one. Storing the little candles makes more sense I think in my case :) But it's probably meant as a pencil holder.
I definitely feel the urge to shop this time of year lol, and I think you're right in that it is "that time of year". I am not a minimalist, but I do try and learn from minimalism (it did help me declutter).
I quit most social media, but I am on a couple of Diaxord fandom servers, and members will share merch they've acquired, and it makes me want more merch lol. But then I think...do I really want this?
I often try and look at my space through another's eyes. Like, if I were coming here for the first time, what would I think/see?
I told my husband just yesterday that I wanted to get out (more). I've been in the house or yard mostly since the Covid lockdown, and now I have mobility issues. He: What would you get? Me: I don't know! 🚩🚩🚩After consideration, I asked myself, "Is there anything I NEED at this point in time?"
Great video!☺️👍
"Think through a purchase."
I've been contemplating buying a new Demon Slayer t-shirt and new Princess Mononoke t-shirt for, like, a month. Maybe I should just pull the trigger. 😂😂😂
Hahaha I've also contemplated getting a princess mononoke shirt for a little while :D
You made me laugh with your shirt comment 😂 don’t worry about it you look great!
“I hope everybody could get rich and famous and will have everything they ever dreamed of, so they will know that it’s not the answer.”
Jim Carrey
I didn't know Miffy was Dutch. I have loved her (him?) since I was wee. Even as an adult I have adored her. Thank you for reminding me! I actually might have to buy that...
Just kidding!
I did unsubscribe to every single marketing email that sends me unwanted ads every single day. Thanks for the inspiration.
My purse is looking worn. Yes I need one but taking my time.
I really enjoy our traditions, for every season we unpack our things we use every year. I did see a really pretty halloween pumkin in a store but my daughter do crochet and she made me 4 small pumkins some years ago and they are cute, seasonal and something with emotional value instead of a cute but also generic pumkin from a store.
Oh, I find black friday is the best time to unsubscribe from all newsletters!
This year we’re going to do less for christmas, not as many gifts and keeping within our budget.
You can use for put pens and pencils 😉
Or your keys
Or coins
Or napkin
Etc... 🤭
I’m an emotional shopper … I get bored and then I run to thrift stores… if I’m sad … I go to thrift stores😂 help!
Nice book from heamin sunim, i have the dutch version of it, i have not read it yet because i now reading the silmerilion from J.J.R. Tolkien( i have the dutch version of the silmerilion) it is a great book with lots of extra information and stories of how middle earth is created in the first era. Its like the creation story of middle earth.
An excellent video Vera and you definitely don’t look like a floating head lol, you look beautiful, your top is a pretty off white on screen and looks perfect ❤
Can you help with when a partner who isn’t as minimalist as you?
Buying a container to pour milk from its original container into this new container? How silly.
Yeah I think we are subliminally programmed to spend money at this time of year its things like Black Friday and pre Christmas sales etc. Yeah i never buy anything straight away now i wait and if I still want it after a few weeks even months then i go ahead
What are you reading?
My need to declutter and my wanting to buy things are intertwined. I think that if I find the perfect "go to" clothing, I will be able to live with less clothing items.
For example I have this one denim barn coat (jacket) that I wear frequently. It wasn't even expensive. That's what I want the majority of my clothes to be so I keep buying various items which in the end don't turn out to be something that fills the bill. The color may not be quite right or the fit isn't perfect or the material isn't what I thought it would be. I really want to live with less yet I still keep buying to find the exact items that will be "the ones".
Yes, I have to shop for others for Christmas and this is always hard for me because it makes me also want to buy things for our home.
I just wanted to mention that music is a great way to get a endorphin lift
. I always appreciate hearing your thoughts Vera.
Hi Vera! I always love your balance and perspective. I too have splurged more this month than all year. I love this season with hunkering down and nesting before the really cold weather starts. I’ve actually been on a no/very low buy year, and done well overall. I’ve also done a journal of new, decluttered, replace, and trashed items so far this year like you showed in one of your videos. That’s been really helpful and enlightening. I haven’t bought a lot, but surprisingly I was not overly concerned about the $ which is NOT normal. The few items I bought have been very well made and very needed, and I’m still looking for a cozy soft duvet cover. I love having my cozy things about me in my cozy little nest 🪹 ❤ It is my sanctuary, and as you pointed out so well, the lives of those around us don’t necessarily depict reality, nor would we be “happier” in their lifestyle. I think once you find out who you really are, then your “wants” often fade in the background and you curate the true things, people, and ideas that bring you joy. Your ideas 💡 as always are spot on! 😊