My chat with jane
Today, I mentioned to a friend (we’ll call her Jane) that I’m trying out this 90-Day No Buy Challenge. I told her I was on day 32.
“Oh, so you’re almost done?” she said.
“Well, not quite. I’m doing it for 90 days.”
Jane didn’t hear me say that the first time.
“90!?!!?!?!?” she exclaimed. Apparently, 90 is not as palatable as 30.
30 days sounds reasonable.
“My friend Jenna is doing this, too, and she is going for 6 months,” I explained. “90 days is my version of being supportive without losing my mind.”
Jane laughed and smiled, wanting to know more.
sharing the challenge
After I explained the challenge and its purpose, she stopped what she was doing and said, “You know what? Sometimes I buy things without even thinking.”
I was intrigued. “Tell me more!”
Jane went on to describe a pretty typical moment at the Day Spa, where she works.
“I walked into the break room. I saw everyone on their phones, and I knew what was up, so I just announced, “Ok, ladies, what are we buying?” And they told me what it was. I searched it up and bought it before the end of my break.
“What was it?” I had to know.
“There was a deal at Old Navy on these shirts we all like.”
Because Jane works in a salon, their shirts are often dirtied with hair coloring and other products. Apparently, Old Navy offers a great shirt that looks professional, fits nicely, comes in a zillion colors, and isn’t too expensive. All the gals love them.
buying with the crowd
Jane’s experience wasn’t unique. Or, at least I don’t think it is. We want to belong. We want to live in community. It’s human! It reminded me of one of my own experiences.
When Hubs turned 25, I wanted a special way to spread the word and celebrate with a pile of friends and family. So, I had these fun, silly t-shirts made, all of which read, “The Bass Master is 25!” There was an image of a huge bass springing from the water etched on the front. It made us smile when over a dozen frat brothers showed up for a frisbee game, donning that shirt, telling everyone it was Hubs’s birthday.
We feel the presence of love and community when we all share something. There’s nothing wrong with that feeling.
consumer culture
But it is interesting to think about how consumer culture has come to reflect “buying” as a part of community building. Thanks to clever advertising and powerful messaging, “buying” is very much a part of the American identity, as buying is always seen as a good thing. Buying and consumption are patriotic. When we buy, we stimulate the economy, we establish our economic resilience, and we sustain a marketplace driven entirely by excess.
Overspending and purchase power used to be viewed as signs of greed and excess. Do you remember those days? Remember people who budgeted and used hand-me-downs?But ever since the 1990’s, buying shit is extolled as a very natural part of our American culture. We’re too good for hand-me-downs, seems to be the thought.
But consider this stat that compares consumption in the 1970s versus today: while the American population has grown by 60% since 1970, American consumption of goods has grown by 400%.
Part of the problem seems to be that we are buying and buying and buying because our society no longer views it as bad.
But is it? Where is all this stuff going to go one day?
I’m starting to question things. I’m starting to think differently. And this challenge is helping me get there.
So what do you think?
Tell me about your journey!!!!! What are you learning? What are you noticing? Share the experience and, as always, namaste every day.
MinimalistMama #NoBuyChallenge #MindfulConsumption #BuyLessLiveMore #OverconsumptionAwareness #BreakTheCycle #IntentionalLiving #MinimalMom #SimpleLivingJourney #ConsumerCulture #ResistThePressure #MindfulMotherhood #LessIsLuxury #SlowLivingMovement #AntiConsumerism #DeclutterYourMind #MinimalistLifestyle #AmericanGreed #UnlearnConsumerism #StopTheScroll #MoreMeaningLessStuff #MomMinimalist #FinancialFreedomJourney #PeerPressureProof #MinimalismInMotherhood
4 the Love of Peace 