How to Stop Mindless Shopping

Mindless shopping not only puts your money in the hands of the world’s top 1%, but it also takes your freedom away. Consumers don’t realize that we have been groomed to buy what we want, when we want, and that there is no repercussion in doing so. We have to realize for ourselves that mindless consumption is not the best for us, often not realizing until we are 10s of thousands of dollars in credit card debt.

We as humans have been taken advantage of. Big box stores know the psychology behind the consumer, and study it exhaustively. It has come to a point where we click the add to cart and checkout buttons without a second thought. The gravity of the purchase and the power we hold as consumers has never occurred to us until now. We are now starting to understand that small changes do indeed add up to a big change when done collectively. We can all play a part in a better, happier, brighter world one mindful purchase at a time.

A few months ago, I made the decision to stop spending my money of anything that I don’t need. A few months in, I feel a certain type of way now that I know where and who my money is going to. It’s not just being fed into an empty pit – it’s making a difference in a small local artist’s drive, it’s allowing them to buy new supplies, it’s helping local farmers feed their families. It’s going to people who deserve my money, not people who have manipulated me into purchasing mindless junk.

Stop spending on things you don’t need. Be real with yourself on what you really need – this step is a little difficult at first as a conditioned consumer. You don’t need a new pair of sandals for spring because the perfectly good ones from last year are now “out of style”. If your clothes are going out of style quickly, you’re likely following trends, which are extremely unsustainable. Buy tried and true sandals that don’t go out of style. Birkenstocks, for example, can be repaired to last for years, even decades with proper care. They are a “buy it for life” item. Start making conscious decisions to add more “buy it for life” items to your household.

How to start mindful consumption:

  1. Shop local farmers markets. Purchase as much as you can from local farms to keep you out of the grocery store.
  2. Shop local period. Local mercantiles and art galleries are amazing places for gifts.
  3. If you’re near an Amish community, purchase your flour and baking goods from them in bulk. Again, stay out of the grocery store unless it is locally sourced and sustainable.
  4. Shop handmade shops and sift through websites like Etsy.com to find artists that create the item you need.

Mindful consumption is a two-step process. It’s not just buying what you need. It’s also considering the impact of the item you are buying, and who you are buying it from. How long will it last? Who are you helping by making this purchase? Does that sit right with you?

Questions to ask yourself when mindfully shopping:

  1. Do I need it?
  2. Do I know what I have at home?
  3. Can I buy the product locally – NOT LOCAL BOX STORES!
  4. Can I make the product myself?
  5. Who does this purchase impact?
  6. Who am I helping by making this purchase?

And always remember to bring your own shopping bags! We’re leaving plastic bags in 2023.

Comment anything I missed – I am learning too, still! Recommendations are always welcome here.


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