Over the past 20 days, I took a step back from shopping, inspired by underconsumption trends and a recent read into my old minimalism blog posts. This little experiment has turned out to be quite revealing, offering new perspectives on my current consumption habits and what I truly need.
What I Chose Not to Buy
During this period, I made a conscious decision to avoid purchasing:
- Skincare
- Makeup
- Clothes
- Bags
- Shoes
- Books
- Notebooks
- Stationery
- Jewellery
I still bought groceries and food…
My husband also generously bought me a monitor and a mechanical keyboard for my MacBook Air, as I had been using his setup for a while.
Spending and Savings
Other than the categories I mentioned above, I didn’t completely stop spending. I still indulged in takeout coffees almost daily, enjoyed date nights, and caught up on movies (we watched Deadpool and Wolverine in IMAX). The most significant splurge was a RM250+ meal at KoRyo-Won in Suria KLCC.
On the bright side, the ban helped me save RM100 each week on top of my usual monthly savings. I also managed to give extra money to my mom and provide some help to my brother, who has been out of work for over a month due to an accident.
Discovering New Joys
This shopping break shifted my focus from endlessly scrolling through Shopee and TikTok Shop to more fulfilling activities:
Writing and Blogging
With more time on my hands, I dive deeper into writing and blogging, again, which proved to be incredibly rewarding.
New Entertainment
I explore Korean dramas on Netflix for the first time, finishing Lovely Runner and now watching Miss Night and Day.
Hobbies from Old Possessions
The vintage camera trend on TikTok made me realise I didn’t need new ones. Instead, I rediscovered items I already owned, like my husband’s five-year-old Sony RX100 Mark III and an Instax Mini 11, a forgotten gift from a friend.
Making the Most of What I Have
Focusing on what I already own led me to some discoveries:
Valuing What I Have
I found that by focusing on using the items I already own, I’ve come to appreciate their value more, which allows me to make the most of the money I spent on them.
Enjoying Beauty Products
When I set this intention, I gathered all my beauty products and committed to using them up before buying new ones. Surprisingly, I ended up using more of them than I did when I was constantly adding new products to my collection.
Mindful Purchases
The ban made me reconsider every purchase intention. For instance, I was contemplating replacing my e-reader, Kobo Nia with a Kobo Clara Colour but realised the colour feature was unnecessary since I don’t read comics.
What I Have Too Many Of
I discovered that I have an excess of certain items. I own multiple bags of similar sizes, around 20 lipsticks, and 5 compact powders.
What I Have Less Of (or Normal)
I also noticed that my consumption is already relatively low in certain areas, perhaps due to the minimalism practice I adopted earlier. For example, I own only one pair of office shoes and one watch—my Apple Watch. My daily makeup routine is minimal, usually consisting of just powder over sunscreen, lipstick, and occasionally blush. My wardrobe is modest, with fewer than 10 sets of office attire, all in similar styles.
Reflections
This no-shopping experiment has taught me that I actually have everything I need.
I’m contemplating extending this ban for at least three months. It may seem ambitious, but I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. I’ll keep you updated on what I end up buying during this time.
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