1. Use it until it breaks, the fix it, THEN replace it. - This year I've gotten a lot of satisfaction from using something until Its empty or until its broken. Then ill look for fixes that i can do to keep it going longer. Once it's beyond repair or too costly, then I'll replace it. I stopped feeling the guilt or pain, because I'm buying with intention.
2. "Patina" is a badge of honor. - I used to feel the need to replace something when its gotten too scratched up, but now I feel so much pride in using something for so long until it's either unusable or broken, and that goes back to point 1 above.
3. Clean it. - Sometimes, just simply cleaning something, wiping the dust off or putting a new case on it breathes enough life into my gear that I don't feel the need to replace it as soon. When I properly clean out my car or clean off my TV screen, it makes a world of difference.
4. Sell, THEN Upgrade. - Constantly, I would buy things without getting rid of the old stuff, when I got into photography I had a Canon, Nikon, Sony, and my Fuji, but I only used the Fuji, So I sold the others and used that money to buy a new lens and accessories for my ONE camera.
5. Get excited about saving. - Lately, Ive started getting really excited with the idea of my bank account number going up. It's almost like trying to achieve a high score or something. Sometimes I look at my account and I'm like... I like that number. lets keep it there.
6. Accept that sometimes buying is okay. - In 2023 I tried to do a hard limit on my purchases and blew that out the water, then felt guilty all year anytime I swiped my card. I basically caved and gave up. Now... after adopting those above points, I don't feel nearly as bad about my spending (when I need to actually do it).
I posted this on another site closer to the new year and it seemed to help a few folks so I decided to give it a shot here.
This has been something that has helped keep with my "Mindfulness" trend for the past year or so. It's been really helpful.
A few things that have helped me consume less over time.
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yallspark
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Re: A few things that have helped me consume less over time.
On the topic of new year resolutions, I subscribe to CGP Grey's theme system. Video explains why.
A couple of years ago, I did a Year of Less, and that was very positive for my spending habits and gear acquisition syndrome.
I also really like the minimalist philosophy (which is not the same as the aesthetic). When you are about to buy something, ask yourself: will this purchase help me become more like the person I want to be? If the answer is no, then you don't need it.
A couple of years ago, I did a Year of Less, and that was very positive for my spending habits and gear acquisition syndrome.
I also really like the minimalist philosophy (which is not the same as the aesthetic). When you are about to buy something, ask yourself: will this purchase help me become more like the person I want to be? If the answer is no, then you don't need it.
Re: A few things that have helped me consume less over time.
Hard agree with a lot of your practices. A lot of times when I wanna buy a new version of something I have, simply asking myself "do I need this, do I want this, or do I just want something new?"
Sadly, a lot of the things we do buy are not built to last, so I would also recommend two additional points:
7. Buy higher quality if you can. - Investigate, ask around, read up and see what the best and most durable version of what you want is. It'll almost always be more expensive (unless you're talking thrifted stuff), but it'll be several years before you need to buy a replacement.
8. Learn to fix and mend. - I apply this mostly to clothes, because that's what I know. Simple stuff: I've sewed pants back together, I've applied patches to a decades old pillow to make it last a bit longer, I even learned new techniques for problems I didn't know could be solved. It will make your stuff last more, and fixing your own things is immensely satisfying.
Sadly, a lot of the things we do buy are not built to last, so I would also recommend two additional points:
7. Buy higher quality if you can. - Investigate, ask around, read up and see what the best and most durable version of what you want is. It'll almost always be more expensive (unless you're talking thrifted stuff), but it'll be several years before you need to buy a replacement.
8. Learn to fix and mend. - I apply this mostly to clothes, because that's what I know. Simple stuff: I've sewed pants back together, I've applied patches to a decades old pillow to make it last a bit longer, I even learned new techniques for problems I didn't know could be solved. It will make your stuff last more, and fixing your own things is immensely satisfying.
