A REFLECTION ON MY OWN CONSUMERISM

in #consumerism7 years ago

In 2017, a weight started to sit on my shoulders in regards to my own consumerism.

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If you'd been with me for a while, you'd know that thrifting and secondhand shopping has been near and deer to my heart for a long time now. But, in recent years my values leaned more heavily in favor of things that I could obtain faster and easier. My workload was heavier, stress levels higher and overall mentality shifted to find quick satisfaction in things I could more quickly obtain.

Mind you, I've never been that big of a shopper. But what became more apparent to me were the sheer amount of things that I've accumulated in my newest living space that just didn't work. I moved into a new space that by far is my favorite apartment to-date, but I filled it with warped uncomfortable IKEA furniture, a faded cheap wardrobe and only a small handful of things that I actually truly loved.

Sure, at the time those things worked for me. I could afford to buy myself a new couch. I made it! But when that couch made its way to the dumpster after eighteen months of use, things became more clear for me about what I wanted. I knew that I didn't want feel like I was wasting again. Waisting my money, resources and adding to America's very own waste crisis we're living in today.

In effort to mediate my own purchases, I went through a practice where I'd do a mini series of "Shopping For" and "Review Of" on everything I purchased for my wardrobe. The effort was to rein back on impulse buys and truly identify what I wanted, needed and how I would purchase those things in a way that felt right to me.

Of those posts in 2017, The Everlane Brixton Boot, Shirtdress, Fjällräven Backpack and Levi's denim skirt— my success rate in actually loving the things I bought was still only sitting at 50%. I also struggled to keep up the writing I committed to in the first place.

So, I'm sitting here in 2018 in different space. I have more mental energy to put towards my own me time, and a home that I really enjoy. In that time, the conclusion I've drawn is to focus on that something that was part of my upbringing, that I fell in love with as a young adult and now am slowly returning back to.

I set a hefty goal for 2018: buy only secondhand/vintage/thrifted items for my closet and home.

I've already broke it.

That precious balance, eh? We'll talk about that in another post. What I can say is that the more realistic goal is to not forget intentions, always place care in purchases, and care for my own values in the process.

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Love this piece! Definitely has me thinking I need to be more mindful in my purchases. Would love to see your review of the Everlane boots.

Thank you! I'll be posting the Everlane Brixton Boot review this week, stay tuned!!
xoxo

Very interesting post! I have kind of the same problem that I would like to reduce the stuff I buy and buy more consciously. The idea of writing reviews is very good! I'm thinking of getting at most one new outfit per month (which might sound a lot for some) and try to get more second hand etc. 🙃

yes! I find it helps me really think about what I'm buying.. And you should share! would love to see what outfits you get each month :)