No Buy Challenge Day 3: Rethinking the “Little Treat”

It’s Day 3 of the No Buy Challenge, and surprisingly, I’m not riding the struggle bus. In fact, it’s easier than I expected. I don’t need new stuff right now—and that realization feels grounding.

Today brought an unexpected twist. I picked my daughter up from school early—she hurt her lip last night, and it’s still bothering her. Snack time? Painful. Lunch? Frustrating. All she wanted was to be home with Mom. And honestly, I didn’t blame her.

My first instinct when I saw her sweet, frowny face?

“Let’s go get a little treat.”

How We’re Conditioned to “Treat Ourselves”

In my world, treats are those small things we chase when we want to feel better—ice cream, a muffin, a cute little something from a store. Do you “treat” yourself like this?

Some of my local go-tos?
🧁 Flour & Oats Cookie Shop
🍨 The Creamery at The Farmhouse
🌾 Milky Way Farm
☕ Life’s Patina (they make unreal muffins)

These places bring joy. And buying in these spots support small businesses—something I deeply care about.
But this challenge isn’t just about saving money. It’s about redefining what brings us comfort. And that starts with asking better questions:

Why do I spend? What am I feeling when I make that purchase? Who am I becoming in those moments?

What If Comfort Didn’t Come With a Price Tag?

Today’s moment with my daughter challenged me to think beyond the immediate. It wouldn’t have broken the budget to get my daughter a cookie. But what if every feel-better moment is tied to buying something?

What if that’s the story I’m unintentionally teaching her?

Instead, I’m starting to reflect on the things that truly help me feel better—no credit card required:
🧘‍♀️ Yoga
💧 Water (being on the water and being hydrated!)
🖊 Writing
🌿 Nature

Today, we chose nature.

We packed up a simple picnic and headed to Marsh Creek Lake. We sat on a blanket by the shore, listened to the breeze, watched paddle boarders and retirees soaking in the sunshine. We didn’t need anything more.

No purchase. No sugar rush. Just peace.

And honestly? I think we both felt it.

A New Way to Feel Better

If we’d gone to the cookie shop, we probably would’ve headed straight home afterward. We could have missed the light on the water, the fresh air, and the quiet conversations.

Instead, we made a memory.
Instead, we made space.

So yes—Day 3 of this challenge felt like a win.
Not just because I stuck to the rules, but because I’m already starting to change the narrative—for myself, and maybe even for my kids.

---

How’s your No Buy Challenge going?
Drop your thoughts in the comments or share your story online using #NoBuyChallenge. Let’s build a community that supports mindful living—one day at a time.