Two Months Into My No Buy Year (I bought something…)

As February comes to a close, I can now say that I have lasted two months into my No Buy Year! I haven’t bought any stuff outside of the rules that I’ve set for this year. Although I did buy something! (More on that below) This year is flying by; and it feels like yesterday that I was doing on my one-month check in. The first month was easy; enjoyable even. This second month was harder to resist the pull of consumerism.

To help myself stay on track, I’ve had to remind myself of a few key things:

• Find gratitude

Reflecting on the things that I am grateful for, has helped shift my desires, especially when I’m tempted by something new and shiny.

• Learn to be creative with what I already have

I would describe myself as quirky. Thinking up creative ideas comes naturally to me. However, when you add quirky with creative to come up with unique fashion ideas, that can sometimes turn into disastrous fashion outfits. Add in my love of tiaras and it is purely hilariously fun.

• Remember my financial freedom goal

I want to learn to be better with money. I’m aiming to learn financial freedom, and changing my mindset about possessions is a crucial step towards that goal. So far, not spending has been great for our bank balance!

• Less stuff – equals less time maintaining the stuff

Cleaning is just not for me. Although I appreciate a tidy home, actually doing the cleaning feels as challenging as bathing a cat. This March, I plan to dedicate the month to decluttering, aiming to reduce the amount of packing, tidying, organizing, wiping, fixing, and disposing of unnecessary items in my house. Abstaining from new purchases will further aid in simplifying my life, reducing the need for maintenance and eventual disposal.

• This is a public blog and I have said I won’t buy anything for a whole year!

I really like that I have the added incentive of sharing my journey publicly through this blog. The accountability and pressure to follow through with this rather long challenge of a No Buy Year are motivating.

So, what did I buy?

I bought something! My robo vac broke at the start of the month, and I spent some time debating whether to get a replacement. Under the rules of my No Buy Year, I’m allowed to replace essential items. However, deciding whether a robo vac qualified as essential was a bit of a dilemma for me. After two weeks of dealing with dirty floors, I realized how much I relied on it for simplifying my life. So, I finally decided to purchase a replacement robo vac, and it’s been a relief to have one back in the house.

As I enter the third month of my No Buy Year, I’m excited to continue decluttering and simplifying my life, knowing that each step brings me closer to my goals. Sharing my progress publicly adds an extra layer of accountability, motivating me to stay committed to this journey. I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the year unfolds.