5 questions to ask yourself before making a purchase
written by Jasmine Irven
Recently I feel it’s been harder to say no to consumption -- whether it be physical or digital.
We’ve been quarantined and with no prior experience or pre-written plan as to how to handle the long period of social isolation, many of us (me included) are finding ourselves online more, scrolling social media endlessly, purchasing things we don’t need (and potentially spending money we don’t have), and in general consuming over creating.
I read something recently in the book Untamed by Glennon Doyle which was a description of how she could visibly see her son losing his interests, his personality, his character, as he became more and more consumed in his phone and the online space.
As she described it,
“In his phone, Chase had found a place easier to exist in than inside his own skin. This was tragic, because inside the itchiness of our own skin is where we discover who we are. When we are bored, we ask ourselves: What do I want to do with myself? We are guided toward certain things: a pen and paper, a guitar, the forest in the backyard, a soccer ball, a spatula. The moment after we don’t know what to do with ourselves is the moment we find ourselves. Right after itchy boredom is self-discovery. But we have to hang in there long enough without bailing.”
— Glennon Doyle, Untamed
I feel like this is a topic for a whole other blog post, but my main reason for bringing this up is because I feel like it really directly relates to our physical consumption habits.
As we continue to rely on external things to satisfy our boredom, rather than looking inside, we lose ourselves.
While it can be fun to redecorate, get new clothes, try a new piece of tech - whatever it might be - we also need to be intentional about what we’re purchasing and if we’re doing it because the item will actually bring us enjoyment, or if we’re making the purchase to embody someone else’s life, bring a false sense of happiness, or “keep up with the Joneses”.
Because if we’re doing it for one of these other reasons, the items will never bring us true fulfilment.
And so, for your mental and financial health, as well as the health of the planet, please consider consuming more consciously.
Try to take a break from patterns of consumption - whether that’s spending money, time, or energy on things that aren’t truly aligned with who you are and the life you want to be living.
Instead, let’s try to focus on being more mindful and intentional with how we’re spending our time + money. So, here are 5 questions to ask yourself before making a purchase.
is this an impulse purchase?
Are you making this purchase because you truly want the item or is it more based on impulse? If you’re unsure, save the link and give yourself a couple of days to think about it rather than purchasing it right in the moment.
If you can’t stop thinking about the item, then it’s likely a good purchase! But chances are you won’t remember it and/or will recognize that you don’t truly want the item after a few days.
would I still be making this purchase if the item wasn’t on sale?
Of course this is specific to items that are discounted, but unfortunately a lot of the times we’re drawn to items is because they’re on sale, offer a bonus for “purchasing now,” or it’s our “last chance!”
The bottom line is even if something is a great deal, if it’s not something you’re truly going to use or get value from, it’s still wasted money. And money that would likely be better spent somewhere else!
do I want to support this company and the people behind it?
You have a lot of purchase power, and it’s up to you to be intentional with how you are spending your resources! The more you use your dollar to vote for the type of world you want, and your voice to advocate for change, the more corporations and companies will notice.
So, ensure that (as much as is accessible + possible) you are supporting businesses you believe in. Generally, this means purchasing from local, small businesses, specifically those owned by BIPOC, and even more so those that openly share what they are doing to support minorities, ethical practises, and the environment.
will I be happy with this purchase in 1 week? 1 month? 1 year?
Think of this like decluttering, in advance of getting the item. If you’re trying to live a more conscious, minimal life (which I know you are if you clicked on this post!), then you’re likely pretty good at going through items you already own and deciding which you no longer use/ want/ need.
So, consider if this is something that long-term you see staying in your life. If it is, it’s probably a great purchase. If not, is it really worth the financial and physical energy (purchasing it, getting the shipment, finding a home for it, cleaning it, etc.) -- not to mention the environmental impact -- of purchasing it now just to donate it or throw it away in a month or two?
why do I feel like I need this item?
Truly ask yourself why you’re purchasing this item. Be honest with yourself here! Is it because it’s something you truly want, or is it because you hope it will make you prettier / more popular / happier / more like ____ / etc.
This is sometimes a tough question to ask because a lot of the time we are looking for this external validation when really what we need to do is look inwards.
Below are a couple affirmations you may want to consider repeating to yourself if you often find yourself in this pattern:
I am enough exactly as I am.
I already have everything I need.
Material items do not define me or my success.
I choose to spend my resources in ways that better serve me.
I hope this post is validation that you are enough exactly as you are.
And if you’ve been feeling like you’ve been spending more money or making more impulsive purchases recently, I hope this post encourages you to slow down, and implement an aspect of intentionality and mindfulness to your consumption patterns. In addition, of course, to giving yourself grace.
Sustainable Bliss Collective endorses products & brands we genuinely love and support. If you end up making a purchase through one of our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything but we may earn a commission. Learn more here.
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about the author
Hey there! I’m Jasmine, founder of the Sustainable Bliss Collective, a Certified Meditation Teacher, and lover of all things self-care, slow-living, and personal development.
I believe that ambition and self-care can coexist, and as such I hope to encourage and inspire you to take care of yourself, breathe deeply, connect with who you are, manifest your dreams, enjoy the blissful moments of each day, and make an impact in this beautiful world we call home.
Connect with me on Instagram here!
