WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU BUY SOMETHING | Successful Strategies for Minimalism
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/sliceoflight08211
MY INSTAGRAM: / elinlesser
MY PATREON COMMUNITY (find out more info here): / elinlesser
Today I want to share some criteria and questions to ask yourself before you buy something. These strategies have helped me a lot in my pursuit of minimalism and in cultivating a minimalist mindset, so I thought I would share them with you! Feel free to share your best strategies below!
This video is sponsored by Skillshare.
DISCLAIMER- Some links found in this description may be affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission on purchases you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links--it's just one more way to support my channel!
Thinking about past decluttering absolutely helps me make shopping decisions now. I honestly think, "would this be something I would have decluttered the last go round?" and I'm shocked at how often it would be.
So true about finding the perfect item especially clothes. Buying clothes give me a lot of anxiety because of that.
So much great advice in this video! Definitely after much painful decluttering, I value avoiding having to do that again and treasuring the airiness of my home... over adding another object back in.
Also closet apps can definitely help satisfy that collector urge by tracking and visually representing everything we already have.
Lots of great advice. I found a way to create a wishlist that worked for me - I set up a Pinterest board and added things to it. I almost never went back to look at it though. The act of clicking and saving the item felt a lot like online shopping so my brain felt fulfilled but the item just never arrived and I usually forgot about it. If I write things on a paper wishlist I tend to see that as a to do list and looking back over my list sometimes makes me feel like I do need those things even if I’ve decided I don’t. Procrastinating really helps me, but every so often I find I’ve swung into underbuying, where I don’t buy something I really NEED like new running shoes.
Fabulous idea! 👍 I will do this. Interestingly, your comment made me realize I've found a similar thing helpful ... saving links to items and sending it to myself in Messenger. That way I know I can find it again if I still really, really want it in the future.
I like your recommendation that we delay before buying something, and i really need to do that.
I think that one may be the most helpful, at least to me! And thanks! :)
"What do I really care about and is this item really in that category of things I deeply care about?" Wow. I needed this question 4 purchases ago. Definitely bought things not at all related to environmentalism, sustainability, and only sort of squeaking by towards living a healthier lifestyle but certainly not a simple or frugal one. My ego just wants to look cute doing it!
This video touched close to home. I have just started my journey with minimalism and your tips nailed ALOT of what I am currently going through. Thank you for this.
For me clothes isn't something that I find is the most important thing to get "just right". Linen bedding and blankets for bed and couch on the other hand is more important to me than the rest, except from furnitures. I have my new wardrobe closet that will fit in with my interior, my new bed, mattresses, new couch (minimalistic bed as couch, and mattress), my new home made smaller round coffee tables and my TV. It's basically all that I need. I try not to buy too much..and I absolutely try not to use too much money.. Although, I find that I Need(?🤔?) a new vacuum cleaner and an air freshener.. And a dog cart for my older dog. They would make my daily life more easier, I guess, but it's a gamble. What I mean to say is that I Could live without, but when it comes to quality of life I think they would make me relax more. Saving money over buying something that could potentially make my day easier is a difficult choice to make. Sometimes one has to make the difficult decisions and it's not always going to save you money, but it can make you feel more comfortable with your life (if one can afford it, either it being money, space, time or energy). I always try to think about it for a longer period of time, so that I can be sure that I'm making the right decision. Decision fatigues is a real problem for me when it comes to buying new items (even though when it's something I need and even though I have the money to buy it) and I guess it's better this way than buying on impulse or spending needlessly.
Great tips, love the lateral thinking that goes beyond just decluttering and organisation. Really getting to the heart of the matter :)
You're tip about there being no such thing as the perfect _______ hit the nail right on the head for me. I need to start shopping with a different set of parameters for clothes.
Also delaying purchases is a big one for me. I almost bought a pair of rain boots the other day for $80 because I figured if I'm going to buy a pair of rain boots, they might as well be good quality. But I don't really wear or NEED them. It doesn't rain heavy where I live and I barely spend any time out where I could get wet when it does, so I closed the tab and kept it moving.
So true! You hit the jeans example on point!
Thanks so much!
Haha yes 100% accurate. Now I feel like I need to declutter my jeans
I used to buy far too much stuff; basically too much of everything. After a long decluttering journey, I have now resolved 99% of my previous problems. Hooray! What I now do, to keep my excessive tendencies in check, is to "make" myself NOT buy anything until the item has actually run out. This is a new one for me! It forces me then to evaluate whether I really need the thing in the first place; or whether a substitute will do the job just as well; or to find a different way altogether . I find this exploration of options engaging and intriguing. It saves money and space in the process; and it's turned it all into a light hearted game and exploration. I love your videos by the way, Elin. They give me encouragement and new ideas.
Such a great video! I am on a low buy year and your comments about the efforts needed to declutter really spoke to me. Whatever we add to our lives really have to bring us value. Thanks for what you do! 💚💚💚
Aloha,you are such a beautiful,special person. Thank you for all of your pure, honest sharing❣️
I love your channel so much 🥰 I put on your videos everytime I declutter for motivation and it's so helpful. Also... I'm sooo guilty of believing lots of objects will bring me happiness (for more than like, 2 days) and then 2 weeks later, I'm making a donation run 😵 I'm on the journey though and your videos are so lovely 😊
Oh my goodness I'm glad you've enjoyed them! Means a lot. :) And I've experienced that feeling too!
I do that too! I buy things and then give them away.My family thinks I am nuts,LOL. I could have had a really good retirement if I didn't shop so much in my life.I have decided that knowing this about myself, it is just easier to skip the middle part and just not buy anything...
These are great tips! I have been on a journey towards minimalism for several years and have hit road blocks on this journey. Some things I am not in control of - like what my husband and children want to keep/own, but other things I am in control of and I still struggle. One being what I bring into my home. I have gotten better at being intentional, but I feel like I still struggle with this. Thanks for sharing these tips as they are practical and helpful.😊💗
The last tip is my favourite! Thanks for this 😄
When I think of something I want to buy I consider donating a certain percent of that purchase to a charity instead of buying that product if it’s a luxury purchase and/or unnecessary purchase
I'm from India, I really love your video and your speaking ways
I love love love your videos!!! please keep them coming! I wanted to ask where you got your green picture over your mantle? I absolutely love it!!
I needed this!!! Really insightful, helpful tips. Great video. I love your channel!
Thanks for your excellent pieces of advice. The came just at the right time
Thank you for all your tips!
Thanks for the wonderful video !
You have so many great tips! I love your videos and you have such a calming voice!
Thank you so much!
Great tips! I keep buying similar things that I’ve decluttered in hopes to find the best option.
Wonderful thoughts. I’ve only just begun to consider all this. I find your ideas motivational. I really appreciate your insights about what we might consider BEFORE making purchases. I like these ideas!!!
This was an excellent video with so many great questions to ask ourselves. I will definitely be re-watching and taking notes. Thank you for this valuable content. 😁
Glad it was helpful! And thanks for the kind words. :)
My habit is trying to buy one item, so I can decluttered 2 (for example I bought back in March a new winter coat on sale, I did declutter 2, but the problem is the coat is now in storage till winter and I’m missing one of the coats I decluttered) aghast Lesley England
This was very helpful. Thank you. That Jean situation was me. I keep on quest to the perfect ones. This is a costly issue. Lol
2:15 never ending quest #TRUTH
Thank you
Perfect
i get paid once a month so i will shop online and put things in my cart for the next month. that gives me plenty of time to decide if it really is important enough to buy.
Ooooo I like that last one... distraction ;)
Love the video and content but sooo many commercial breaks.
The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/sliceoflight08211
🖐🏼🙂
Just curious if you are on Instagram? I'd love to follow you there as well!
Great tips Elin, and I love the term “decision fatigue.” 🪴