I love going to the beach. There is something incredibly relaxing about the sound of waves, the smell of salty air, the feeling of sand between my toes, and the sea breeze in my hair. I enjoy swimming in the ocean, especially when it is warm weather. However, the first few steps into the water always seems a bit unpleasant as my body adjusts to the crisp water temperature. Once I’ve dived under a wave and start swimming, the water feels refreshing and fun. I have adjusted.
The example of hopping into the ocean is similar to how I feel starting the No Buying for a Year Experiment. It’s going to be an adjustment but a good adjustment, I hope.
My last blog post about this experiment was about my rules and goals for this year.
In this blog post, I am going to talk about how I prepared for a No Buying Year.
A question I was asked a few times was, ‘Did you just buy a lot of stuff in advance?’
The answer is no.
I didn’t overbuy in 2023 in anticipation of no shopping in 2024. That being said, I did give some consideration to things that I would need during the year. I got rid of some winter wear in the September, so I did buy a few jackets and jeans to ensure that I would not be cold next winter. Aside from that, I didn’t buy in advance since one of my goals for this year is to declutter.
HOWEVER, let me share about a shopping fail that I had on the 30th of December 2023. For some ridiculous reason, I bought candle making equipment. I had a spur-of-the-moment idea to make candles as gifts for my friends. I don’t know what I was thinking! I am a terrible cook, and candle making looks remarkably like cooking. I can just see the gift exchange now:
‘Happy birthday. Here’s your gift.’
‘Thanks, Justine. But what is this?’
‘It’s a homemade soy candle… the colour is a bit murky and the wax is a bit lumpy.’
‘Oh. I didn’t know candle wax could have lumps.’
‘This one can.’
‘Oh my…. Umm…thank you.’
In summary, I am heartily ashamed of this candle making purchase. But this story is a good example of why a No Buying Year will be good for me and change my mindset about shopping and save my friends from lumpy candle gifts.
I am starting this year with hope. I want to spend less time thinking about possessions, acquiring possessions, maintaining possessions, and getting rid of possessions. Less stuff = more time.
Stay up to date with my blog by Finding My Simple Life on Facebook or Instagram.