How To Do A Year Of Buying Nothing New

A primer

A year of re-discovering the things I already have and love, like this shirt that I got 9 years ago on Block Island. And yes I cut my hair ;)

My first year of buying nothing new has almost come to a close. It’s changed my perspective on so many things in my life. It’s changed my career, and how I feel about consumerism and capitalism. It’s changed how I think about my place in the world, and how I can be a positive example for meaningful change. And, maybe most importantly, it’s changed how I spend my time.

I used to to think self-care was “treating myself” to things. Splurging on clothes, make-up products, and a 12-step beauty routine. But what I realized in spending a year not focused on buying stuff, is that true self-care can’t be commodified by capitalism. We’re tricked into thinking it can be bought in the form of skincare masks, expensive sweaters and fancy gadgets, but true self-care can be found in our communities, our friendships, in nature, and in paying attention to the voice inside that, if we listen close enough, will tell us exactly what we need.

In stepping back from our culture of consumerism, I carved out more time for myself. I recognized what I needed to start to feel whole again. I jumped off the dopamine hamster wheel of online shopping and impulse spending. It wasn’t always easy but it was rewarding. And that’s why we’re here. In my opinion, as we approach 2025, it is going to be more important than ever to shift our mindsets and actions around consumption. As Rufina of

Totally Recommend

recently wrote:

It’s like we’re all trying to be “good consumers,” as if that’s the ultimate civic duty. It’s probably the most American reaction there is, right? Each of us in our own tabs, hoping that if we shop with enough conscience, we’ll somehow make a difference.

But let’s be real—switching Amazon for Target or holding onto a Sephora receipt because “they didn’t donate directly to Trump” doesn’t make these brands free of politics or profit-driven motives.

Point being, we need to be a bit more radical. To me, a year of buying nothing new is about recognizing the role we play as consumers, and that we can decide what that looks like.

Going into my first year of buying nothing new I was terrified. Heading into my second, I’m excited. For all of you ready to jump into this experiment, I can’t wait to see where the journey takes you. Here’s how we’re getting started.