how I went from shopping addict to conscious consumer (habits changed my life)

[@LorettaNance]

This is a great video. The content is applicable to all ages. I am finishing up my 2023 no buy. For me, the no buy was less about money and more about acquiring less. Prior to starting the no buy, I did an inventory of all my stuff. Shocking to see what I already had so much of. I have a list of 10 things I don't buy. I basically only buy necessary consumables. I plan to continue it in 2024, with a few tweaks.

[@shawnaripari]

Acquiring less is a great goal for a no buy. I'm glad you had a good experience!

[@bullitt0713]

Sooooo relatable. I feel like you were talking my story. Thank you for sharing and for encouraging conscious consumerism on your channel.

[@shawnaripari]

so glad you enjoyed this one 💗

[@disney.daze.55]

A big problem I have with sticking with not shopping is having something else to do instead. I need more hobbies. My biggest trigger is the internet. If I’m offline I don’t think about new makeup, new pens, new inks, new stationery. As soon as I get online I’m bombarded and BAM, instant desire and inspiration.

[@shawnaripari]

I definitely feel yah Lauren, I've been there too

[@Wishfull171]

It helps to rediscover what you loved as a kid. I got some games i use to be able to play for hours cheap, and I also got back into reading. I'm able to find books cheap on ebay or thrift books and tell myself I have to finish one before i get more. The library would help too!

[@mharris3866]

This!! The internet is my biggest problem.

[@arioctober]

THIS is the video I was looking for... I want to hear experiences from people who are in recovery, not be told what to do. The latter is too self-helpy and I really don't like that tone. Breath of fresh air! Thank you so much for sharing your story!

[@YourGirlVee]

Thank you so much for sharing this. My shopping got out of control since the pandemic and I know that it's emotional and not so much about the stuff. Mainly because I could receive a package today, ouuuu and ahhhhh over it, put it away and be right back online looking for something else that same day. I'm clearly not content but I really want to get to that place. I create content as a side hustle and none of my content creator friends understand my need to stop accumulating stuff so I can't discuss it with them because I don't want to be a downer. My family extended family doesn't know and I've resorted to hiding packages from my kids (I'm a single mom). It's just overwhelming at this point. So I'm grateful for your content and I hope I'll be able to do better in 2024 with your help!

[@shawnaripari]

I'm rooting for you in 2024! I'm almost always open to chat all things habits and conscious consumer over on IG so don't hesitate to slide into those DMs.

[@tinakluge896]

I feel so seen & can relate to the stages of financial recovery. I have made a really similar way about my financial status & shopping habits. You can be really proud of you. I must say sometimes I get on a spiral about being sad or angry about my past self/ past spending habits but then I remind myself that I made a hard way out of it and acknowledge what I achieved.

[@shawnaripari]

Congratulations on changing your habits and being in a place of financial recovery. I'm so glad you feel that pride because it is a huge accomplishment!!!

[@tiffanysmith3649]

My dad did not know how to handle my feelings, so if I was sad, he took me to the mall. I've spent the majority of my adult life being a shopaholic. My feeling on stuff has deeply changed, and I'm so grateful for that.

[@Wishfull171]

My mom used money and things to win me over if she was abusive and I also used my things and room as an escape. Anytime in life I feel like I'm sad or bad about myself I try to buy, I guess thinking I will have everything I need to feel good or happy. I've made improvements but it's still a struggle to do it. I just want to have a safety net and be buildings a savings finally. I feel after all my bills are good I spend all I have left.

[@aeolanyiramoon6260]

I relate to you, I also like replacing 1 bad thing with another. I have a whole plan mapped out so my no buy next year works better than this year :) Thank you for this video, it gives me hope 💖 So proud of you 🥰

[@shawnaripari]

thank you so much! I'm rooting for you this year 💗

[@aeolanyiramoon6260]

@@shawnaripari Thank you so much that means a lot to me

[@brieannaolder992]

I love how you're not vilifying shopping and saying that it's not the root of the problem. You're absolutly right.

[@broughttoyoubynmblake]

Exactly the same situation I plunged too in 2015, only in the last three years has life turned around. When you see others go through similar relatable situations it truly allows you to dig deeper and make tangible steps to change for the better. Well done on your journey so far.

[@shawnaripari]

congratulation on your journey Blake!

[@drrush3421]

Super interesting I’ve done a lot of “minimalism” stuff such as drastically cutting clothes buying, thrifting most of my furniture. You’re make up is on point

[@missmrice91]

I like telling us how bad things got before they got so much better. It’s nice to hear the journey

[@pasitheathanatosasmr488]

"No buys vilify all shopping" - so true!! I became unable to buy things I actually needed without guilt for awhile.

[@peepobeebo]

You had the same trajectory I see myself going down now that I am 24. I so badly want to stop this and develop better coping mechanisms but I don’t know how. I am in grad school now, thousands of miles away from home, all on my own. I am scared, lonely, and tired. I shop to feel better. Thank you so much for this video wake up call.

[@DulceLisa]

Great video Shawna, so many things that I can relate to- especially using ‘creating memories’ as a justification to spend too much.

[@pyang264]

Thank you so much. Thank you for being soo relatable. This is definitely a video i needed to hear for me to stop my shopping addiction and giving hope that I can take control of life. ❤❤❤

[@josiemaromi6981]

The Laundry Evangelist (Patric Richardson) also advocates the "use to completion" metric, he says that clothing should last at least 50-100 trips through the wash! 👖👗👚

[@shawnaripari]

yes! love this. I agree that the normal "at least 30 wears" is too little for me personally.

[@Natalia.B.Gallazzi]

You are an inspiration to me! ❤ thanks for sharing your experiences about shopping, we are all learning to be in a better place with our habits. Merry Christmas 🎄 and a successful and blessed New Year! 🎉

[@shawnaripari]

Thank you so much Natalia, glad to hear it!

[@kimpaspossible]

This is exactly how I've been educated by my mother and I'm so thankful for it. We were poor so every buy would have to answer these questions : Do I need it ? Do I really like it ? Can I afford it ? We had that habit of picking clothes in the shop, trying it on, putting them back on the shelf, thinking about it, wandering around the shop, and if we still wanted to buy it after a while, we did. The thought process was long but mandatory. When I started to make my own money, I kind of refused to spend it. My mother had to teach me something new : I can also treat myself. So now I treat myself more, but I always ask myself those questions before buying anything. Every clothing item goes through a scan in my head to know if it has a place in my wardrobe (does it go well with most of my stuff ? can I wear it on many occasions and seasons ? is it trendy or will it last ?)

[@pasitheathanatosasmr488]

Sharing your personal story adds credibility to everything you say. I love your videos regardless, but thank you for sharing this with us❤

[@ChaosandCliche]

I’m late to the video, but thank you for making this. You hit the nail on the head with why I shop. I have so much to think about now

[@kenshinrurouni3784]

I really appreciate you making this video-I needed to hear it

[@Siures]

I was always bad with money as a teenager and also in university. Certainly bought more than necessary and more than I could afford. Actually went into debt for my motorcycle license at 16 because I didn’t track the hours (I had two side jobs at this point and paid it back quickly, but still…). BUT I did set up a automatic saving as soon as I had enough money. Still I had to borrow money on a regular basis until I started working full time. I had the experience that I stopped shopping and actually WANTING to shop as soon as I COULD buy almost everything I wanted (in terms of clothes, books… of course, I don’t earn enough to buy designer stuff or new furniture regularly). In the first month of earning a full salary I bought new glasses, a new winter coat (still have it and repaired it a few times), a long skirt (still on of my favorites) and a whole bunch of books. And suddenly it was enough. The next month I started saving. I had some times I needed these savings (a phase of unemployment, parental leave). But I managed without falling back to spending more than I needed. I just had to let go of my scarcity mindset I had growing up in a lower class family where there was never much money on hand. I had to learn that I don’t have to buy stuff as soon as I had money. The savings wouldn’t run away and the stuff neither. Money is not a nature force but a man made concept that I can control (in a certain way). Now at 33 and with two kids I have more savings than my father had his whole life although we decided to work part time and earn less than he did. We just bought a house together with my husband’s aunt and uncle but other than mortgage we’re debt free.

[@L64934]

Another another amazing video, Shawna. I love your content. I could listen to you all day! You've really I spired me to sort my life out in 2024! Thank you ❤

[@shawnaripari]

thanks you so much Laura 💗 Wishing you the best in your 2024 journey

[@L64934]

@shawnaripari thank you lovely 😘

[@acureformyheart]

I have the worst shopping habit of everyone I know. I know why as well, because my trauma is all sexual violence so changing my appearance is a coping way of trying to prevent it from happening again. But it keeps happening and I can't do this anymore because none of my clothes are old enough to make me feel stable. I'm not gonna try a no buy, because I will definitely fail it, but listening to your videos over and over again helps me make better choices about what I buy and why I buy it. Even today, I got disheartening news about my abuser and immediately found 5 things to buy. I took a deep breath and thought about why I'm doing this, and ended up getting only one thing to replace a much missed sweater that I had given away and now regret. I'm gonna make my overconsumption cease to be

[@flyingfrogs2489]

I'll be praying for you 💗

[@saramichaels3853]

Praying for your strength and healing! You are not alone.

[@axtiexe]

hey shawna, your videos have helped me train my brain to understand to reflect on when I want to buy something, I go through my process of if it is useful, do I have something similar to this, will I use it offen etc. it has really helped me spend money more wisely. thank you for your content

[@aquamar1003]

Thank you for being so vulnerable with us Shawna ! I really appreciate that. And I love love love that you did not give in to going back to your old habits, that you confronted what made you unhappy and sad and that you got to be a content person now :)) And thank you for helping us! I actually did a budget for next year too (clothes and makeup and skin care). Hopefully I’ll be able to stick to it. But I have plans and ideas on what to do if I happen to want and not need something. Thank you for being an inspiration

[@shawnaripari]

thank you so much for the kind words! Wishing you the best on your journey 💗

[@luci0818]

I've always felt guilty buying anything, comes from growing up poor and being told we have no money. So when i got my own money, the result was overspending(for me) along with a lot of guilt and just ignoring the guilt. I probably spent about $1500 on things I didn't need last year - because i wanna try this, i wanna try that, i wanna perfect my skincare routine, i want to get into makeup, i gotta get my business store together(sent from scrubs all day everyday to corporate office). Thankfully I'm not very far down in the rabbit hole but I struggle. The only reason i didn't jump in completely was because of my low self confidence in the way clothes fit me - if i had a natural beach bod, my wallet would've been done for. Since not everything looks good on me i have to be more mindful. I've disciplined my self restraint enough over the years that now i just live vicariously through these videos - and i don't look for things to buy just to shop, but if i have an issue, i look for things to solve it. Every now and then something goes into the Amazon cart and i leave it there until i either talk myself out of buying it or think it would be useful enough to be worth getting.

[@findingthebroom]

loving this cardigan on you!

[@Elegeia1]

definitely one of your best videos ❤

[@arletbode4847]

Omg you went to Cuba! I was born there. Hope you enjoyed it!

[@shawnaripari]

I've been there a few times and in the trip I talked about in this video, my brother and I traveled around the country quite a bit. It was awesome!

[@arzumgulsar6951]

Thank you for this tell-all video 🙏

[@angeladesilva7913]

I loved this video and related so much! Did you listen to any content on YT having to do with no buys before you started your own no buy? (And if so who). I’d never even heard of going on a no buy in 2017. It’s only been about the past year and a half or so I’ve started watching this type of content. I really love it and could listen to you all day!❤😊

[@julias8763]

I found hanna louise poston in 2018, helped me a lot back then

[@scentsandgems]

Thank you for your thoughts! I think being grateful should also not only be for your already shopped stuff but also for nature, friends, the smell of coffee in the morning. That way I can refocus on what brings me joy. I write a diary about things I'm grateful for each morning (my worst shopping time) and that way I feel at peace. P.S. You have a beautiful voice! Love from Germany

[@shawnaripari]

totally agree with you on appreciating more than your stuff. Thanks for reminding us all !

[@ultraboombean]

I have switched to shopping second hand. Not the best but it is a good step for me. It has made me pass a lot of things in store I once upon a time would have bought. I am actually saving money...and I think about the more unique stuff I can buy on Ebay instead of buying a bunch of stuff in store. I think I will get to a point I acquire much less but that part of it is slow going.

[@crunchybunbun]

Shit i am where you were and i am 35. I really really need to get my shit together.

[@Sasberella11]

I absolutely love all your content ! Been binge watching all your videos ❤

[@pasitheathanatosasmr488]

We have such a similar story and timeline. I wanted my first no buy year to fix me too! Lots more work involved :) And we're putting in the time now.

[@aidabaez5240]

You’ve put it so nicely God bless…❤️💃🏻💙

[@erikaherrmann3319]

You have mentioned the concept of only buying things you are sure you will use up in a few recent videos. I think this is an excellent question to ask ourselves before we purchase. However, I think it can be limiting if what you wear the most isn’t what you prefer. For example, I work in a law office in a large city. If I only bought things I knew I would use to completion, I would only buy nude cosmetics and pant suits. I focus on keeping my clothes and makeup to 80-90% fully use-up products and 10-20% fun items I can’t wear to the office. Even though I won’t use up those 10-20% of my clothes and makeup, they are the items that most increase my contentment. If I only bought those items I was sure I would get my money’s worth out of I wouldn’t have bought any of my favorite things, and that’s not how I want to live. Everything in moderation for me

[@shawnaripari]

this doesn't work for everything as you've pointed out here. You have a lot of self-awareness about your needs and that might be more important than any individual rule, even if the rule has exceptions.

[@erikaherrmann3319]

@@shawnaripari I really do think this is a good thing to think about with every purchase and I have a pretty firm grasp on what I actually use, but I definitely don’t always get it right. I’m just not a fan of hard rules. Might just be my personality lol

[@Tveit_on_the_Brain]

Thank you Soooo helpful

[@jackypavkovich3919]

The money I spent on makeup when I discovered beauty tube ....😢

[@Giselle332]

❤❤❤

[@estefaniaox6305]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@melstephen5191]

💐💖💖💖💖💖💐

[@ceciliaexp]

✨🎄✨

[@leastidyworld4365]

Wish the upcoming video with the strategies was linked below now that it’s out. Would really like to watch that but can’t be bothered to scroll down 7 months worth of videos tbh.

[@joiedevivre894]

Have you tried looking in her playlists? I just saw one marked if your planning a no buy or low buy That could be a good place to start