3 Ways to Shop Mindfully
We have all become conscious shoppers, trying to make decisions that are good for the earth while shopping. But it’s not always easy. Here are 3 ways to shop mindfully.
1. Do a monthly audit.
Keep track of your purchases (which we should do for budgeting anyway) and at the end of the month do an audit, asking yourself these questions:
- Which purchases weren’t necessary? Were they an impulse buy?
- Were they a good value? Which purchases should have been researched more?
- Are these purchases aligned with my ethical views?
- How do these purchases affect the environment?
Regular audits reinforce mindful spending and discourage impulse purchases.
To assist you in applying this step, we have 2 free printables for you: One to record your purchases, and one to audit your spending habits. (There are 2 pages of questions for the purchase audit.) Print as many pages as you need for your own use for each month.
2. Mindful shopping is eco-friendly.
How many of your purchases are bad for the environment? Research eco-friendly replacements with less packaging, environment-friendly chemicals, and sustainable alternatives.
Purchase clothing and household items secondhand. Check thrift shops, yard sales, flea markets, and trading apps for items you require.
Would you be willing to pay a little more to reduce your ecological footprint? Look into sustainable clothing & other eco-friendly choices.
3. Apply the minimalist “One in, One out” rule.
Sometimes we’re stuck in the feeling that “whoever has the most wins”. But then our homes get stuffed with ‘stuff’. Instead, focus on minimalism. Less is more. More room to breathe, more time to ourselves instead of caretaking our stuff, and more money in our wallets.
Create a rule that whatever you purchase replaces something in your home. A chair replaces an old beat-up chair. Or for every purchase in, another must be donated or recycled out. This makes us take the time to consider our belongings, how important they really are, and their impact on our lifestyle.
