One of my key goals for the new year is to consume less. Especially when it comes to consuming stuff / things / clothes. Both as an effort to live more environmentally friendly as well as to save money and spend it more wisely.
Over the last few years, I’ve become much more conscious of what I do buy and shopping for the sake of it doesn’t give me much pleasure any more. Buying fast fashion or something else that doesn’t feel sustainable makes me too uncomfortable.
2018 was ok from a conscious consumption perspective, but as we were decorating the flat and settling in to life in Stockholm, we did buy quite a lot of stuff. A lot of it was second hand but still.
Auditing and clearing out
To consume less, in general, I believe that being clear with what you have, and therefore may need, is key. Starting with a home clear-out or a wardrobe audit helps you with this, and will give you the answers you need to be able to set up a plan for the new year. What do you not need any more? What do you feel is missing from your home / wardrobe / life? Are you doing anything in particular in 2019 where you need specific equipment (like travels, sports or DIY)?
Once you have these answers you can start listing things you will need (or really, really want) during the year and this will be your shopping list during 2019. Your main challenge will then be to stick to it, but it will help you to get an overview of what you’re aiming to consume and to avoid impulse purchases or unnecessary things that you just end up buying because there’s a sale on.
To make your 2019 consumption more sustainable and with an added conscious layer, you can also set up guidance as to what kind of purchases you can make. Maybe you only buy second hand items this year. Or you avoid plastic. Or maybe you focus on investment pieces of high quality that you know will last a long time. The more rules the better, but try to ensure they’re also realistic, so that they don’t feel like too much work. Taking small steps and making changes that fit with your own living situation, rather than trying to do too much at once, is usually a better way to create a conscious lifestyle that lasts.
My shopping guide this year
The general idea with 2019 is to shop less and save more money. This also means being more conscious of how I consume (bring lunch box to work etc), and ensure I’m spending my money on the right things. I’ve set up the following goals for the upcoming year:
Buy second hand. If I need anything new, especially clothes and interior design, I will aim to buy second hand.
Buy sustainable options. Where I can’t find a good second hand option, I will go for a sustainable, long-lasting option of good environmentally-friendly quality. Ideally from a small, ethical, independent shop as I want to support those who are doing something different to change the way we consume and to change how we look at economic growth.
Support craftsmanship. As I explore slow living and conscious consumption, buying things that have taken time and creativity is increasingly important to me. Things that have been created by hand, by someone who has worked under good conditions and who has created something I can treasure for a long time. I’m happy with how the flat is looking at the moment but I would like to have more art. Paintings or beautiful ceramics. And I will focus on local artists.
Fashion purchasing list. I did a wardrobe audit in the autumn where I identified my likes and dislikes. And I also identified pieces I feel my wardrobe is missing. So I created a list and this is the list I will continue to stick to. It includes: winter boots; blouses in colours/patterns; navy suit trousers/chinos; checked/tartan suit trousers; non-slim jeans, high-waist, straight legs; long-sleeved fitted jumpers (not boring, basic ones but ones with a slightly more luxurious feel); knitted jumpers that are appropriate to wear over shirts at work during winter; a floaty, patterned midi dress that I can wear at work all year (with layers underneath during winter); kimono or casual blazer; fancy shorts that are appropriate for work during summer months.
Homeware purchasing list. We’re pretty much done decorating the flat but some things are still missing and I’m aiming to stick to this ‘wish list’ during the year (but if I don’t find things I like then I’ll just keep the list for next year): art; large basket for the bedroom; armchairs; small lamp(s) for window(s); kitchenware; curtains (to keep my boyfriend happy as he’s not happy with our curtain-less windows).
Beauty purchasing list. I’m currently working on decreasing what I have and my aim is to only have a small number of products that I like and use. These should ideally be organic, natural products made in Sweden or nearby if possible. I will buy to replace things I’ve used up but will decrease the number of products.