5 WAYS TO STOP THE SHOPPING URGE // "treat yourself" culture and community mentality

[@nicolapepi1590]

I’m in the middle of the economic COVID crisis, and I’ve not been buying ANYTHING for a year and a half, and I’m still alive. When I want to treat myself I listen to old cds, books, I go to the sea with my husband...

[@nicolafilippi2053]

A few of my friends & I have swap parties where we get together at someone's house & bring along clothes that we no longer wear or want & that's a different way to change up your wardrobe without buying fast fashion

[@TheJoanaPADJ]

That's actually pretty cool. I might suggest that to my friends 😊

[@Gittemary]

Yes to swap parties! They are so much fun ✨

[@Anna_ForFutureAdventures]

That's so awesome I will do that too once we are allowed to meet again 😅

[@NtlWltrs]

I think I need more friends before I can do this lol. Great idea though, thanks for sharing x

[@CyndiCaviedes]

Cool!!!

[@Jyriel]

The True Cost was such an Eyeopener documentary. I cried and I didn't buy anything since I watched it (some months ago) and shopping was my hobby (yeah sad... I know). Unfortunately in my country there are not many charity shops (I live in Austria) but I decided that I have too much stuff anyway. I have a two year old and I always got baby clothes from a friend of mine. So he rocks 2ndhand more than me and we want to keep up!🤘🏻 I love embroidery lately, so if there is a hole, I don't just mend it, I make a dinosaur out of it, or a flower or a rainbow🌈.🥰 Clothes should be loved, not wasted. Because somebody made an effort in creating them...

[@mariadesantiago8696]

I do my best to wait about 30 days to buy anything that is not necessary. I feel I have enough clothes, so when I am tempted I go through my closet and rediscover items that are already in there. I love challenging that “treat yourself” mentality. It has become too much.

[@Gittemary]

Shopping our own closets is so great! Sometimes all we need is looking what we already own from a new perspective 💪

[@Anna_ForFutureAdventures]

Yay I also wait 30 days! I would also love to have a capsule wardrobe I really love, so I have another rule that I have to sell 2 clothes when I get 1 "new" one. It really makes you value the stuff you have already :)

[@mariadesantiago8696]

I am going to have to do that. That is such a great concept! 🤗

[@eowyn3526]

I started a "no buy month" just yesterday, so this video could not be in any better timing for me. Thank you! :))

[@wildflowersandwonderment]

I keep trying to convince my partner to do a no buy month with me. I guess nothings stopping me from doing it on my own! 💕

[@ASkywalkee]

Good luck to you!!

[@Gittemary]

Amazing ❤️✨💪

[@xenxxx446]

Omg same! I started on earthday! Good luck everyone!

[@cogitoe6644]

How can you manage that? I would run out of food in a couple days...

[@mafaldaizidro7033]

I didn't buy any clothes for one year. I notice that some of my clothes are really old but I feel proud that I have been so conscious about my shopping.

[@Gittemary]

You should be proud, that’s an amazing effort ❤️😍

[@sammyruncorn4165]

By doing this no-buy-year you (me/we...) really get to know what you actually need (and use).

[@TessTiramisu]

When I was at the fast fashion shop last time (also with my mum searching for a dress) I was browsing around and most of the clothes just felt too plasticy (by smell and touch). As I am used to look for quality and nice feeling materials at the thrift shops, this experience was just really weird. I could feel the poor quality of garnment way more than when I used to shop fast fashion time to time.

[@Gittemary]

I can definitely relate to this, when you get used to second hand and quality materials anything else will feel so unappealing 🌿

[@CocoShin]

Waiting before you buy is a great one. If you still want it after 14 days, you know you really wanted or needed it. Chances are, you will probably forget about the item and it was never meant to be after all.

[@Silvercentipede]

I take photos of things in shop so I don't forget about it, but I hardly ever go back but at least the idea is still there :)

[@latristessdurera8763]

I’m a bit late to the party but my friend and I treat shopping, like visiting an art gallery. We go to visit mostly high end shops/department stores, we then review the designs, discuss what elements that we liked or disliked and discuss what we would do differently. Afterwards we go for a spot of lunch but very rarely do we actually purchase clothes or apparel while out.

[@lekiscool]

I was looking at wartime ration programs and ads the other day. After looking at this stuff I was left thinking “omg could you imagine people today accepting they could only have 6 squares of chocolate?” Etc.

[@Aphrodite1985007]

Check "War time farm" if you're interested in such things... It is a 6 or 7 part series and it's here on KZbin... Part 2 covers rationing..... There is also The Wartime Kitchen and Garden (also available online)

[@Gittemary]

The incredible privilege it is to live in a place that always has fully stocked grocery stores - most of us don’t realise it is privilege until it is taken away

[@marycharlebois6627]

My mom was a kid during WWll (in 🇨🇦) and she used to tell me her story about how she got sent to the store once with the ration stamps to buy sugar. (Of course this was a time when home cooking and baking were the thing. Nobody ate out or bought sweet treats during that time.) On the way home from the store, my mom tripped and accidentally dropped the bag of sugar and it broke open. This was a major catastrophe because that was all the sugar they were allotted for a certain time period. There she was as a kid, down on her hands and knees trying to scrape up any of the sugar that was not dirty and could be salvaged. She spoke of how careful she was after that because food and ingredients were so highly valued. Hard to imagine, isn’t it?

[@lekiscool]

@@Aphrodite1985007 One of my favorite channels is Depression Era Cooking.

[@lekiscool]

@@marycharlebois6627 this hurt my heart. The poor thing.

[@juliaiderberg]

The best way to "treat yourself" is to wait until you can afford the sustainable option instead of the fast fashion one. The joy I used to feel when I bought a shirt from H&M that would shrink the first time I washed it is nothing compared to the feeling when you find the perfect thrift find, och when you finally can afford to buy from a sustainable brand.

[@kokoerdmann4416]

What really helped me is also developing a really high standard. Sustainability is one metric you can apply and also how is a garment stitched and what does the fiber content contain of. How long is this going to last me. And if somebody is buying something fast fashion, that is going to hold a long time and is carefully constructed, that they are going to wear a long time, I am not that mad about it. Also H&M and stores like that don't appeal to me as much anymore, because I know the fiber content is shitty and it's not going to look good after a wash etc.

[@basakmutlu1119]

I dont shop often but my favourite store is WWF's online store. They sell organic cotton, sustainably, ethically and locally made clothes.

[@basakmutlu1119]

@@miraggg maybe if they have a customer service kind of line you can call them and cancel it. It is really annoying i know. Greenpeace does the same thing to me

[@debcress6718]

maybe an idea would also be to quickly stop and ask yourself why i wanna treat myself? how much satisfaction would this product actually give me? what other options do i have to actually tackle the underlying reasons or really treat myself?☺️☺️☺️

[@sheilapicton5937]

I use the "treat yourself" mantra no longer for shopping. I have some vegan ice cream and "treat myself" lol 😂. Honestly it's not often... 👀 😂

[@Gittemary]

Haha facts 😂🙌

[@debcress6718]

hahaha same, my bf and i eat vegan fish sticks on those occasions🤩

[@marycharlebois6627]

When I go shopping I always have a list. I consider my “shopping trips”, not really as shopping, but rather as “running errands”. I take my “Errand List” and do my errands, thus ensuring that I am only purchasing items that are on my list. I never wander around looking for stuff to buy. I think you nailed it when you said that we need to stop using shopping as a leisure activity. Great video Gittemary, thank-you so much. I always appreciate you insight 🥰🌿🌸

[@arp0414]

I was literally thinking about this these past days. I’ve been online shopping recently more than the usual and I think it’s a subconscious reaction of being indoors and spending so much time on the internet. Also, I find somewhat ironic for “zero” waste stores encouraging consumers to buy more stuff and to take advantage of “Earth Day” sales. Idk, we’ve got some people telling us to use what we already have, but we also have got others posting about “zero” waste products and aesthetically mounted photos of their pantry, bathroom, etc. I believe it’s great if people can make these switches if they can and it’s sort of a way to reduce some waste (I’ve made some of these switches myself), but it’s important that everyone understands that the responsibility cannot only rely on consumers/individuals, but on corporations and the government. It’s difficult to make some “zero” waste swaps and to consume more eco-friendly stuff in a capitalist system, especially for low income families. And that’s another thing that bothers me from the “zero” waste community. No one dares to say the word capitalism. They blame corporations, but the root of the problem is capitalism and its model of unregulated economic growth. Also, they don’t address the “dark side” of environmentalism which benefits the elite and negatively affects poor and minority communities. An example of this is “green” gentrification. Barcelona Laboratory for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability has plenty of information and resources on this concept. I wish people pointed out more to the root of the problem, than to individuals. Anyways, I really like your channel and I believe that you’re one of the few persons in the community who properly addresses these issues, so I wanted to thank you for that! :)

[@maajaimi]

Thanks for leaving your comment, I was thinking the exact same thing. Also, the amount of unpaid labour that women are doing on a daily basis worldwide which also includes the consumption of food, clothing, cleaning products, etc. and then saying they need to change their attitudes towards buying or telling them to optimise their spending habits adds an extra layer of pressure. Of course that shouldn’t automatically mean that actively trying to reduce your carbon footprint or being critical of your consumption is useless. But in my opinion it broadens the discussion and releases the individual from pressure in capitalist societies. In case anyone is interested, I found this article very insightful: www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/5/9/18535943/zero-waste-movement-gender-sustainability-women-instagram

[@arp0414]

@@maajaimi thank you for sharing the article! It’s so important to bring up these topics to the conversation. We do the best we can as individuals, but also we should acknowledge that one size doesn’t fit all and that environmental justice involves social justice always.

[@martinawalsh4426]

Yep have been feeling the urge to buy stuff lately. Especially with everything that's going on, I've been trying to "cheer" myself up. I have been putting the money into savings instead though!

[@janaeiskonfektknisterpapie7004]

I'm in a new life phase (pregnant and moving to our first own house) and it's super hard not to overconsume. Even buying everything you need second hand is a bit stressful, it's feels like it's so much stuff to research all the time. And more things ends in a more stressful life imo

[@jocypare6019]

congratulations 👜🧤 and yes it can.

[@sandramaki7819]

As someone who is older and now trying to downsize, I would recommend to go slow on your purchases. We really don’t need that much to live. Also having space with less furniture and stuff is actually more relaxing that being overloaded. Give it a try!

[@TermiteVideo]

Research nice things you need for your new baby and make a specific list for people who want to get you a gift. Parents and grandparents, who often want to buy something substantial, are grateful for a steer.

[@janaeiskonfektknisterpapie7004]

@@TermiteVideo Thanks for the recommondation, I give it a try

[@jenpetersen6671]

Love your final point! A beautiful mantra to live by is JOY: Jesus, Others, You. Centering everything around ourselves sounds promising but it won’t actually yield the true joy we seek. Taking care of ourselves is good and right but “treating” ourselves to the detriment of others, the planet, etc is not. What a great point!

[@ppjskh]

I've been constraining myself these past few months to stop shopping online and trying my best to not thrift so much and only buy what I need. So far I've been doing well and paying off my remaining debt is so worth it.

[@VickitySplit]

Sooo true! It spills over into sustainable purchasing too! I've never been enthusiastic about my skincare, but the other month I "treated myself" to some reusable cotton pads and a bunch of low waste skin care - and, as predicted, I hardly use it!! A waste of money and resources, really! Great lessons to be learned here, thank you

[@boomshine87]

Cool video! Nowadays, ‘treat myself’ means I’ll buy myself lunch or coffee if I’m out walking. I buy from independent shops to help them out. I haven’t bought anything new in over a year, I shop on EBay for second hand clothes. I’ve never had so much money in my life and never been happier!

[@Gittemary]

Nice, love that 😍✌️

[@sustainableteacheryt]

I used to do "shoppingtherapy" hahahah like 5 years ago. No I write what I want and wait for one month before deciding if I really need it or not. And that's my best tip :) Thanks for sharing yours!!

[@eechanable]

For me a no-shop-month help IMMENSELY when I first started thinking about my consumerism. One month turned into two, turned into three. And after a while the need to shop, basically disappeared. Now, I'm not perfect, but I'm aware and I try to shop consciously, the once in a lifetime purchase. I also like to add that I find you incredibly inspirational! Thank you for your work!

[@Chlunkon]

That was me with makeup! And as I got used to not constantly buying new makeup, I used this attitude towards other things that I bought more frequently than needed

[@Gittemary]

Absolutely amazing, you rock 💪💪💪

[@amysofia5783]

I've been reading this really good financial book recently called Your Money or Your Life. It's about the path to financial independence and a lot of the same things you do to be more eco friendly overlap with the same ideology you need to reduce your expenses. By reducing your spending, you are not only being eco friendly, but you are also learning what you need to be Fulfilled- to have enough.

[@ccaatttiraffe]

If there is something that I want to buy that is new, I have a wishlist in my budget spreadsheet with the date wanted so I can look for the most sustainable option. It helps to focus and not frivolously consume. I go through the list periodically and ask myself if the item is truly essential and how much value it will add. I also have a date purchased column so I can see how long the item lasted. If I want to buy something new, it had better be on the list!

[@dbeata1]

Actually when you say out loud any brand name, or phrase, e.g. "Treat yourself", while you are logged in on any online social network (be it Facebook, or Google, etc.), you will soon find that brand's advertisement popping up on your phone or computer, because they overhear what you're saying via your microphone.

[@AnnaRobert]

I love that the ad that popped up was from Vinted, a second hand clothes app👌🏼

[@ChueshDash]

HUGE thumbs up for the ideas expressed in this video! It used to bother me in the past that a friendly get-together was so often about mindless mall strolling and purchasing stuff together just for fun. Being sad did not count as a hobby back in 2007 despite what emo kids thought, so why does shopping still count as a hobby in 2021?

[@theautisticacademic5927]

I'm really really bad at buying stuff (always second hand stuff, but still), and I've started just liking things that I want instead on apps (Depop and Vinted), and only allowing myself to buy stuff if I can't stop thinking about them after a minimum of one week. It's helped even more because a lot of the stuff I like has sold by the point I come to buy it, and I've realised that even the things i really, really love, if they sell and I don't get them, it doesn't matter at all. It's made me almost stop buying completely, and the things I do buy... I LOVE

[@amyflann5674]

I love thrift shopping. It's so much more satisfying to find something cute and unique at a thrift store than getting something mass produced that literally anyone could buy that week. The only things I buy new now are under garments, socks, and occasionally sports gear (like sports bras cuz my girls be big). Whenever I get the urge to buy something at the mall I just think- how many clothes could I get at the thrift store for the same price? How much water was used to make this? Is there plastic in this? And as a minimalist- do I really need another 'X' ?

[@priscillajimenez27]

I have two jobs now to pay rent: an office job and now a job at a place called Ross. I haven't been a super impulse shopper for a long time but working there has made it pretty tempting because the stuff is discounted from retail prices. I've already impulse bought a few tops and items I could actually use. So I gotta not look at the stuff as I work on the sales floor.

[@TheSoundsInside]

You make so many damn good points that I’m now going to have to basically go through all your videos and make the most of your extensive research and knowledge on environmentalism. I don’t know why this sounds like a complaint 😅 It’s not at all. I’m super grateful for these videos, and all the time, energy and passion you put into them 😀✨

[@Gittemary]

Thank so much, it really means the world 💚🌿😍

[@linneamai244]

YOU.DON'T.TREAT.YOURSELF.IF.YOUR.HABITS.ARE.HARMFUL 🙌🏻❤

[@paulabeniteztorijano7275]

Hi!!! I LOVE the "waiting tip" ❤ It happens to me a lot the I wait so much that the item or piece of clothing disappear of the store 😂😂 but that's also help it!!!

[@emeliasoderlund]

Couldn't agree more! " _Treat yourself to product X (which secretly comes with planet destruction and poor working conditions)_ " - Nah thanks, I'd rather save my money for an experience with friends.

[@idab2605]

My problem is I usually treat my self to cleaning products and books. I mean I truly love cleaning tools :(

[@priscillajimenez27]

My friend and I pushed put two carts full of used books from a used book sale over a weekend lol 😅

[@wiltedspinachcat3472]

i was going to go to target where i always end up spending too much and instead and am ordering deodorant online so i won't be tempted to get anything else. thank you for the reminders!!!

[@TheJoanaPADJ]

Totally agree with all of it, specially the treat yourself mantra. Funny thing is that during this global pandemic, and with every single shop closed during lockdowns (which is obviously awful for economy), my cravings for new clothes and products reduced significantly, as did my habit of going into the shopping just because I had the time for it (and actually ended up buying something) disappeared. I find myself using older clothes in new ways and liking it, and the small purchases I do mean a lot more than they used to. That mantra means a lot more now than before, because now I feel like I'm actually treating myself and not just spoiling myself when buying something. Also... Removing all the sites from my fav tab and all the apps of great fashion stores for my cellphone really helped as well.

[@amyjayexo]

Loved this! I’m so guilty of emotional spending to fill a “void” so hoping these things help!

[@silviavlogs100]

Girl! I got a big shopping problem lol Gonna try a no spend month because this is getting out of hand lol 😵 Btw I love you videos and your vibe, you always seem so peaceful 💙

[@raspberrytelly]

This comment is extremely relevant to the topic and does not simply exist to boost your engagement - also I appreciate this video

[@Gittemary]

🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@happycolibri]

Thank you so much for what you do

[@Gittemary]

Thank you for the support ❤️

[@erekaw8708]

I needed this. I’ve been falling back into the habit of buying as a pastime again 😖

[@veenakulkarni-rankin2443]

🙌🏽🙌🏽 Gittemary! Loved your meditation/rant/sermon on Treating Yourself...to being part of something bigger than yourself💚💙💜💞🌍

[@VeganMangoQueen]

Almost 100k 🙌✌️💚🥳 i started a low buy over a year ago and now it just feels normal and I love it cuz my house will be paid off soon woot woot 👑

[@LittleRedTeaCake]

I don't have many friends in my current location, but one thing I do love doing with my girl Em is shopping. We go thrifting because we both enjoy it and we usually have things in mind we're looking for (I have a running list of things I'm looking to acquire). It's hard to schedule much else with little ones (I have 2, she has 1) and with our horrendously hot weather (we're both from cold states stuck in Florida) but as a former shopping addict, it is wild to me to be SO hyped to find something but then in line, the regret already sets in and I put it back. And I'm really proud of that and recognizing that just because something is cool, doesn't mean it has to go home with *me*. Although I do regret not getting that chainsaw when I saw it last time, would be awesome for halloweeen. I was ready to be upset for you comin for Donna, but I guess I didn't realize just how bad it had gotten with advertisements and how far they've twisted it into another gimmick. Thank you once again for such a fun and insightful video.

[@sandramaki7819]

Loved this video 💚💚💚! I am doing a low buy year and only buying things secondhand if I need them. I need very little and less stuff = less stress for me. Thanks for what you do!

[@ElizaSandra]

Definitely a hard thing to do. I have done the idea of just taking stock of what clothes in seeing and if there's any styles I like and then try to find that secondhand instead!! Thanks for spreading this important message!

[@kaylataylor1522]

Yess! If I go to shop with my sisters or my friends I will look through the clothes and take pictures of items I like the style of so that later I can find something similar at thrift shops

[@ktnguyen4412]

I've been on a no buy since March and it's been so helpful!

[@noemikm5771]

That was so helpful, you are amazing 😍

[@cassandrelosser5826]

Yeah, doing shopping as an activity... I remembered doing that with my mother a long time ago... What a mistake, but back then it just seemed normal 🤐 fortunately we stopped doing that!

[@danij716]

So needed this video today. I started putting all the things I like in Pinterest so I could sit on them for a while and see if i actually want them later. But now I'm looking at all of this stuff and I want it haha 😅

[@user-bb8lj4wh2j]

Thank you for this video! I'm trying to save money and to be more aware of what I buy and when I buy it. And this is such an important issue! 😊 Hope you have a wonderful weekend ❤️

[@lilac951]

Tom and Donna treat themselves once a year 😆

[@Gittemary]

Haha yeah but like... the stuff is the stuff of nightmares 😂😂

[@lydiaharris911]

Idk if you or your boyfriend wear glasses but I’ve been trying to find zero waste cleaning supplies for my glasses and can’t seem to find anything better than just buying the cleaner in bulk.

[@lizgb5529]

Gittemary, could you do a video on objects you have given a second life. I do this a lot with T-shirts, towels, jars and toothbrushes. Thanks

[@AnnikaWithAk]

I love thrifting in 2nd charity shops or on Depop. Shops are opening up here again in Edinburgh on Monday next week and I can see all the fast fashion shops starting to prep their windows and shelves inside for the reopening. I've not been inside them for years. I worry that all the clothes which weren't sold in the past 4 months of lockdown will be returned to their warehouse and get disposed of :( The thought of it makes me hating them even more. Some charity shops still have their Christmas decoration in the windows :)

[@kristenpritts6385]

Thanks for always bringing awareness!!

[@guineawheat]

Really great video, loved it.

[@rileyorourke7043]

This video is coming at the perfect time. I am supposed to be on a low-buy and for some reason it's really not been working...

[@cassandrelosser5826]

Actually here in Sweden thrith shop is very trendy and young people especially do like to spend their time buying new second hand clothes.. I don't know if it is good or not 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@uschitech6035]

You are so inspirering! Thank you ❤️

[@lars2immermann]

Your work is really good! Thank you. (I especially like the videos about materials.)

[@Julia-qh6ws]

Video idea: Calkulating my personal co2 emission

[@Gittemary]

Did it 😎👌 you can search for “Gittemary calculating carbon footprint test” to find it 👌

[@shaunaburton7136]

Yes its a strange way to look at shopping.

[@TermiteVideo]

I count the money still sitting in my bank account!

[@Silvercentipede]

You're my hero :)

[@tianaowen701]

I usually only shop second hand but I feel like I’m always buying clothes yet I have like no clothes for some reason? Like they are all to small or I can’t wear to work so I keep having to buy more and it’s just weird 😂

[@hellomehi6692]

While I was watching this I realized that it may actually have been almost a year since I bought clothes new, which seems crazy because in a way it's not been that hard. I personally have never been a "shopper" because it drains me and I'm " ill proportioned" so most clothes don't fit the way I like (unless it's second hand because that's a treasure hunt) so I can't say it'll be easy AT ALL for others. But what I've found is when me and my mom go shopping for clothes (I rarely buy new clothes I don't need) I take it piece by piece. Do I really need this? Could I probably find it second hand? If I could can I convince my mom to take me thrifting?😂

[@f.1055]

Hej gittemary Hvad er dine tanker omkring matas og deres initiativ omkring retunering af produkter efter de er tømt af forbrugeren? Er det gitte-godkendt? 🤔

[@miramare1991]

Wow I am early

[@christinejewels2944]

I am very depressed and many of my friends have died. When a person is very low shopping can help but I try to keep it down for the sake of the planet.I would only consider used clothes frrom a perso who I knew well. If Gittemary wants to rishk an outbreak of scabies or fleas in her house she is a brave woman. My mother was in a nursing home which had an outbreak of scabies. All the residents and staff were treated twice, the entire buildind was deep cleaned twice and all bedding destroyed. Not a pleasant prospect.

[@raspberrytelly]

This comment is extremely relevant to the topic and does not simply exist to boost your engagement - also I appreciate this video