Learn from MY Mistakes? 5 Reasons Why My No Buy Year FAILED...& 5 Reasons it was Actually a SUCCESS

[@cherinig]

As a 40+ year old, trying to tame my shopaholic and consumerism ways, I wish I could more eloquently express how much I have benefited from your vulnerability, thoughts, and learning through “failure” journey. You are a rare gem on this platform making room for honest self-reflection without shame or judgement. Please be proud of all you’ve accomplished and your ripple effect on this world. May we strive to be a wiser, kinder version of ourselves in 2025. Peace and stay lucky! Gratefully yours.. ✌️

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Aw thank you so much! 🥰

[@RandomJane104]

More success than failure. Just recognizing a problem and trying to do better is a major hurdle. It's important to recognize the successes and not beat yourself up for the imperfections. If you beat yourself up, then it reduces the joy and makes the process painful. I applaud your recognition of the brand/product display/discussion issue. I don't really make resolutions because they are too easily broken. I just choose areas of focus. My goals for 2025 are to exercise more regularly, further reduce consumption of processed foods, do a better job of only replacing things when absolutely necessary, continue decluttering, complete a course or two on LinkedIn Learning, spend more time with friends and family, work less overtime, and continue to avoid news for mental health reasons.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Love your goals! And feel a lot of similarities - pretty much all of those are also on my "focus list" (although I have not heard of LinkedIn Learning before)

[@carolineeveratt]

I'm about to start my first NBY. I've been down the You Tube Rabbit hole and ended up back here with my brain fried and with a sense of "this woman speaks sense" I've viewed a plethora of template vids "25 things to declutter" "30 things not to buy" "20 top tips for a NBY" . Honestly, your content is genuine. I don't need to be told "don't declutter your birth and marriage certificates" !!!!!! NO sh1t Sherlock - we are not stupid. THANK YOU for being relatable and keeping it real.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Honored to be deemed "sensible" - I feel the same about so many of the "listicle" videos on here, where it seems extremely scripted - or taking things too seriously? (like the not de-cluttering important documents, I hope that was at least delivered with humor...) - and lacks an element of humanity...

[@moira8370]

I’m dead at the birth certificate declutter 🤣🤣

[@Letty4]

I'm going to do a No Buy January. A year seems so daunting. But if January goes well, I would like to keep going.

[@victoria9663]

I am sure you can do it!! All the best!

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Yes!! Even if January doesn't go well, keep going! 😄 Or at least, keep observing what happens so that you have the option of change

[@lisangel9989]

abstaining from mentioning brand names can probably also make clearer the difference between what the object actually is/does (its usage/meaning) vs the 'brand glow'/emotional connotations (almost of a 'magical' nature), projected onto a brandname 💚

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

I think so too!

[@thegadflysnemesis4102]

I honestly think every unnecessary item that wasn't bought is a success, and every conscious recognition of the thought patterns that leads to an impulse purchase is a success too - so your year had a lot of successes! I honestly have kind of the opposite problem to an excess of want - I have difficulty identifying that I want something at all, and difficulty thinking of my wants as things that can be fulfilled rather than things to endure the lack of. Unpacking that, as I am trying to do, could easily make (and, honestly, has in the past made) me swing into unhelpful spending habits, so your videos are very helpful in how thoughtful they are about what you desire and why you desire it, and whether that desire is one that should be fulfilled. it's a great framework both for pruning down wants to only the genuine and productive ones, and also for recognizing that I want something in the first place! so, my thanks ^_^

[@kayebohemier]

While talking about the influences on Americans to buy more, I think it's worth being heavy-handed with speech and naming it: Our culture has been designed, unintentionally or not, to create addicts. My extended family is filled with problematic alcohol users, dead and alive. I had a coworker years ago who crashed her life from getting addicted to opioids after breaking her hand. The shopping addictions that many people have are similar to these substance use disorders, although they don't make the body start to shut down. I think it's very important to be starkly realist that many behaviors that people develop, even if they aren't classified as addictions per se, stem from the same impulses - a hunger for human connection, a sense of inner pain and disquiet, and an activity that provides release without addressing the root causes of loneliness, rootlessness, and nonbelonging. Even something as healthy as chocolate can become a compulsion (my big problem ... not even baker's chocolate will stop me). As you said, advertisers are instigating something insidious to take root by manipulating common human psychology, and nobody is immune because everyone's psyche has at least one crack. It takes the average person many attempts to recover from an addiction. One of the best things one can do, in my opinion, is to start a compassion meditation practice. Another thing is to take the mindset in that beautiful performance art piece by Yoann Bourgeois with the staircase (look for the KZbin video "Yoann Bourgeois Captivates Audience with Powerful Performance About Life") - it's a powerful image for how to handle setbacks. And, of course, we have to do what we can to make a more psychologically healthy world for future generations.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Thank you for sharing that, I'll look up that video! I may get more heavy-handed with my speech if/when I can collect the references to back up those kinds of statements - without as much firsthand experience or background knowledge/qualification, I hesitate to personally label addictions or addiction-creating practices that I only know about through hearsay, basically. The only thing I know for sure is that I don't know a lot, in other words, and I don't want to mischaracterize, offend, or make mistakes through uninformed communication. BUT I do have a stack of books that will hopefully "name names" as far as exposing point-blank, the predatory practices of advertising, capitalism, social media, and possibly other areas of human addiction (like the Ultra-Processed People book did for me about the addictive nature of engineered foods) and I will maybe become more comfortable with calling it like it is rather than the more gentle speculation I've been doing thus far.

[@bthomson]

As much as being certain is a good goal, please do not abandon the lovely care with which you treat everyone! I know you won't!

[@roses.9181]

You hit the nail on the head! Marketing was designed this way, society was designed this way. Keeping you lonely and consuming (what ever addiction of choice is). Mine was for sure shopping. I am so happy I am starting this journey in 2025, and if I think about it. It actually kind of started 4 weeks ago... I'm keeping it going!

[@roses.9181]

@@Alexas.nobuyyear Ooo do please share the books! Spotify has audiobooks and maybe a few of them are already on there!

[@redrover2370]

I feel you on the baking chocolate!

[@ecoariel8232]

A parameter i have is if i buy something impulsive and unneeded, I have to contemplate what I learned from the purchases. I think this goes right in with your observation and curiosity. I don't even want to think of buying something as a failure. Cause my no buy year isn't pass/fail. I feel like that's what you are also trying to get to here as well. The point of the year is to be a more conscious consumer. If I am even 1% more conscious of my spending habits(even if it's hindsight), I will use that 1% to make changes which will eventually snowball into more changes. Small habits lead to big changes. Also I just love your channel. It is a true safe space from sales. I was watching a 10 minute no buy video from someone the other day and 7 minutes of it was sales sponsorship. So I always appreciate coming here and knowing you won't be trying to sell me merch or be an ad for a company.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Absolutely! The 1% (or hopefully, more!) of success achieved in the 2024 "no buy attempt" will make 2025 exponentially more successful! Part of the reason I continue to use the "all-or-nothing" mentality, at least in the assignment of the "no buy" goal, is because it is honestly a fun approach for me personally, and I acknowledge that it isn't realistic or perhaps the most healthy one for everyone. I have been influenced too many times from even other "no buy" content, so I do try my best to avoid any of that nonsense on here 😅

[@ecoariel8232]

@Alexas.nobuyyear makes sense, it's so lovely to see all of us doing these no buys in ways that work for ourselves. I feel we often feel that comparisons and feel the need to do the same as others.

[@elisabetarvidsson8586]

I think it was maybe Shawna Ripari who talked about reframing a buying 'failure' during a no buy. That buying something isn't really failing the no buy, but the success is rather how you handle that incident and what you learn and how you move forward. That doing a perfect no buy is unrealistic for most people, and framing it as a failure does more harm than good. From that regard I think your no buy has been a success, since it feels like you've learnt a lot from what you've bought 🎉

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Yes! I really love Shawna's approach of "experimenting" as well. I should perhaps make a point to clarify sometime, that while I do still use the "language of failure" and choose to live in the land of "unrealistic goals", part of the reason I do so is that it feels more "fun" to me this way. To shoot for the moon and land among the stars, so to speak, letting the landing from pursuing the unattainable target, define the progress, rather than setting realistic parameters from the beginning. That being said, 2025's rules do have more parameters for success, so hopefully I've made a reasonable compromise 😄

[@bthomson]

One year anniversary of this channel nearly one million views! 💐🎇🎀🎖🙏👍👠

[@victoria9663]

I love your videos. I don't care that you somewhat failed. You were honest, which is more than we can say about 98% of all content online. Anyone who unsubscribes because you admitted failure...that's their problem. I feel very inspired thinking about the habit you/we are in the process of breaking, and that we all can try and fail and try again.

[@hazeldavis3176]

Another refreshing vid thanks! My goal this year is to take all that energy I was spending on following trends, researching purchase, watching reviews, keeping track of sales- all that i want to push aside and i want to focus on my spiritual health. I had a hard realization that i "couldn't find the time" for prayer, but i could always find it for swatch/haul videos. 😅 So that's my goal this year. More spirit less consumer

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

This is a great reason/realization, that when we use our time for anything it will be taking it away from something possibly more important to us!

[@aprilprescott4192]

I wish you well on your lovely journey

[@lalablotz7348]

I have decided that trying to do a no buy year is just not realistic in real life especially if you are trying to break a habit of overconsumption. A low buy seems to be more attainable. Only buy what breaks or wears out. And even then carefully assess if you can do without it or not. My 35 year old crockpot broke and got replaced. My 5 year old power floor scrubber broke and did not get replaced. I have unconsciously become minimalistic over the past 3 years and am at the point where bringing something new into our house sounds unpleasant. My age could be part of it, closing in on 60. Good luck to everyone on this journey. Thanks for an informative video 🩷

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Agreed, as far as total no buys being unrealistic!

[@fuchion15]

What’s so great about this video is that you acknowledged both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that impacted your consumption. I have so much hope that you’ve laid down a solid foundation to achieve even more in 2025.

[@starrybatfish5105]

I am going to attempt a no buy/very low buy this year-but more importantly, I want to be aware of when I am being influenced and not act on it. That is my main goal. Since most of my clothing purchases are already from thrift stores economy is less of an incentive than wanting to be free from wanting things, as much as possible. Best wishes to everyone who is endeavoring to change their approach to stuff this year!

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Well according to some theories, everything we want is a result of some kind of influence(!), but I think I get what you mean nonetheless 😅

[@Jasmine-in-my-mind]

I'm very interested to hear about your plans for your 2025 No Buy! I have done no-buys before. The longest I have made it was 6 months (before I got desperate and bought a whole new haircare system 🙄 ). I would say my most successful was my 2020-2021 unintentional low-buy due to the pandemic shutdown. I was working from home, not wearing makeup, and not going out to shops, salons, or restaurants, so my only spending was for groceries and the occasional household or personal necessity. I saved about $6000 just from that! It was a big eye-opener with regards to bargain-shopping as well. Since I had to have groceries delivered, I only ordered from one store once a week (to save on delivery costs), and they didn't take coupons. So no shopping around. But I still saved money. At the same time, I used up a ton of beauty products because I just lost the desire to shop around for that stuff, even online. ... Anyway, it's now years later and my costs are creeping up again, so I'm thinking of doing a no-buy/low-buy for next year.

[@lalablotz7348]

Something I found helpful was keeping a ledger of what I didn’t buy. Every time I wanted to buy something but didn’t I wrote it down along with the cost. I would add up how much I saved at the end of every month. It was very satisfying. I did the same with what I did buy which kept me very accountable. I became a game.

[@northern999]

Happy New 2025 No-Buy Year! Your sincere videos help me a lot. Going into my first no buy cold turkey. Wish me luck! 🍀

[@bthomson]

🍀🍀🍀

[@victoria9663]

You can do it!!

[@Twelvefourtyseven]

I think you are doing fabulous!!!!!

[@charmedvenuss]

my no buy year i think genuinely changed my life, it wasn't perfect but i have so many new consuming habits now that are improving my life for the better, can't wait for 2025!

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

🙌

[@candylove1234]

Your channel has given me so much food for thought this year. I am going into a year of intense saving after years of spending too much and getting into debt. Im hoping being more self aware of all the things that make me want to shop will help. Getting off instagram helped a lot.

[@SkylightSwift]

Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts this year. I have watched them to give me some frame of reference on no buy as I had been purchasing without really giving it a second thought in the early part of 2024, especially in sales. But as the year went on i became more aware and stopped myself from buying in the summer, then when it came to the Black Friday and new year sales, I didn’t even want to buy anything. That’s a big win for me. Clothes are my downfall and now I’ve stopped buying them I’m spending January decluttering winter clothes. Will then declutter warmer weather clothes when those seasons come around. That way I know what I am reaching for and what can be passed on to others. Thank you again and happy new year! 😊

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

That's amazing! I think this year there will likewise be a focus on determining what I actually use vs. what I don't, in my wardrobe. Happy new year to you too!

[@yalazha]

Your first two success points are great! They demonstrate slowing down and observing your decisions, very important for moving forward with your goals.

[@e.d.t.]

Even if your no buy wasn't totally successful it was still a teaching moment, and now you know how to do better next year. I'm nervous. I almost want to get all of my frivolous spending done tonight before the new year hits and my low buy starts, but I'm sure panic buying isn't good either.

[@bthomson]

Such a human feeling! Let me do it all before the deadline! I remember a tv show where shoppers raced against a clock to fill their baskets! Resist the temptation! 😇

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Hopefully you managed to resist the "new-year syndrome", as tempting as that is! I still feel these occasional impulses of "oh better get that now, while I've already "failed" this month" and it's never a helpful impulse, so I'm trying to remind myself to observe but not act on those feelings that don't serve me and my goals!

[@LargoWinch-th4gm]

Relapse is part of the treatment. Happy New Year

[@martinazulina]

I find it very hard to achieve not buying anything for a month, especially clothes or shoes(my weakness), there is always something else and I say myself that it will be the last thing I buy... and even though I have tried many times I always fail. Although I like the goal of a no buy year, I prefer to do it month by month, I hope I can do it this time! Éxitos para este nuevo año!🎉

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

I really understand that feeling of "this will be the last thing!" before the challenge! But maybe with some "softer" rules, that feeling can kind of go away - that's more of what I'm trying this year!

[@patriciastepanek3241]

I really appreciate your honest self reflection. So refreshing in these times of buy buy buy!!

[@mairead5891]

I think you would enjoy Patrick Grant's book Less. It's about the rise in manufacturing, leading to marketing and the development of 'wanting stuff'. I don't know if it's published in the US yet, and I'm suggesting that when or if it is, you try your library first before buying it. He's a lovely, thoughtful man and I think you'd get a lot out of his ideas.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Thank you for the recommendation! It does look like a good one - I'm still pretty resolved to NOT buy any more books until I've at the very least finished what I have, so I'll file it away for later if my library doesn't get it (and I suspect it may not, but we never know!) in the meantime I've added some of Patrick Grant's talks on youtube to my "watch later" list 😊

[@Lola.sweets]

I appreciate your honesty! This is real life! We aren’t perfect!

[@maan8846]

You did 4 (6?) no buy months, so that is success. I wish you all the best for 2025, and I will follow your new no-buy-year.

[@bthomson]

It is very possible to relate the lessons from this channel to other character flaws other than just over consumption. Anyone thinking this channel is limited in that way should give it a try for other situations. I am not a shopper but... Wow! Have I learned an amazing amount about human nature, control, needs vs. wants, and many important behavioral adjustments! Onward and upward into 2925!

[@bthomson]

Not THAT far ahead !! 2025!

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

😆somehow I don't think I'll make it that far. But thank you!!

[@angelamerritt9204]

I so appreciate your honesty and insight into yourself. And thanks for sharing some of your playing at the end!

[@samanthalim2426]

I chanced upon your channel while I was searching for Polene reviews, ironically😆, and that was when I saw your honest Polene reviews, and went down the rabbit hole of watching several of your no buy thoughts. Have been inspired to do a no buy year this year too, after having a shopping problem for 2-3 years now. Your videos have helped me a lot in changing my thinking, like what do I want when I want an item, and how we can’t buy style or a person’s lifestyle.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Thank you so much! We'll be continuing that exploration together over here in 2025 - hopefully reaching the "next layer" of these ideas as a community! I already have some more hot takes about "personal style" in the works😅👀

[@disgruntledmoderate5331]

No buy wise, I want to minimize purchases to necessary spending and clean out the house (donating, giving away, throwing things out). Otherwise, I am planning on learning new strategies to handle my AuDHD in a nuerotypical world. I also wanted to say I appreciate getting to hear you play at the end. ❤

[@renej3487]

Big agree on the “influence land” we live in. Ive been unsubscribing from email lists, text lists, and influencers who make me want to buy stuff. And I’m still inundated with ads. I want to get rid of social media bc of it but there’s still so much good (like this community) that I want to stay. So we have to learn how to dodge the FOMO.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Yes - I'm exploring ways to distance myself further from social media, and in the process I may also start using an alternate platform to upload for those who want to step off of KZbin entirely. Still deciding what the best alternatives might be that people would actually want to use (Spotify, Patreon with a free tier, open to hearing other ideas!) and will probably ask the community here soon

[@isabellep6119]

I immensely enjoyed your videos through the year- the way you explore every aspect about consumerism, so brilliant! Thank you thank you thank you, loving my personnal evolving journey with you here 🤗

[@candibee8918]

I loved the balance and gentleness of this video. I’m also loving the footage of you playing viola at the end of the videos recently! ❤

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Thank you! Hoping to do more viola-projects-snippets on here, but going to have to possibly carefully dodge copyright 😄

[@candibee8918]

@@Alexas.nobuyyearmy lips are sealed!

[@racheljames9187]

I have a bit of an ongoing 'no/low buy' - but mine is more environmental than economic, so I don't necessarily mind bringing in second hand items - with the caveat that it is better for me mental health wise to own less and enjoy what you I than be overwhelmed with too many options. I have a bunch of sustainability goals for 2025, but here are the purchasing related ones: - Buy NO brand new clothes, shoes, hats, scarves or hair accessories (for clothing this is ongoing, I keep it as a reminder. This will be year 4. Only fails are a pack of socks and undies). I'm not having a thrifting item limit this year, because I can't stick to it and I don't see it having any environmental benefit (and minimal financial benefit... I am quite picky, and after an initial foray on depop I actually have all of my wish list items already) - Buy NO brand new sewing fabric (ongoing) - Buy NO brand new home office supplies except a diary for 2026 (ongoing, mediums for artwork excluded, but those I already get second hand when I can - stationary was a problem category for me) - Replacements or prescription items only for body care and makeup (in practical terms, this probably means a new moisturiser and new medicine only... I need to run out of the whole category before buying replacements) - Focus on reading through the books I already own (read at least 10 of those). Buy no more than 6 brand new paper books. (I am dropping the one in, one out rule for second hand books, and trying the new approach of just really enjoying what I have rather than looking for new things)

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

I do find that when trying to improve sustainability in one category, some others seem to "want" to follow. I might join a composting subscription this year, for example, in an effort to try and reduce general waste from our household...we'll see how that goes! Thank you for sharing your goals here!

[@debramckean1970]

Yes, I will be joining you in a NBY, but I will not punish myself if I buy something. I will also take the time to make it a considered purchase and not a frivolous one. I'm enjoying your content very much and appreciating what I have and will make it a daily thing to enjoy what I have at my disposal to use.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

🙌

[@paulat5921]

Thank you for sharing your journey. I enjoy your channel. God bless and good luck in the 2025.

[@cm4832]

I am really enjoying your content. I've been intentionally trying to live simply and buy less for over a decade, and I still sometimes get pulled into buying things because of influencers (some of the same people you've talked about on this channel). I've unsubbed from certain accounts and plan to continue reducing my exposure to it.

[@walterlippmann4361]

my No Buy year was a cinch 'cause I'm broke! maybe i should get into the KZbin business. 😛 lookinng frwd to your next vid.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

I'll be doing a video on everything I "earned' on KZbin in 2024 this January, so you can decide for yourself about that 😅

[@Silica-black]

I'm not ready to commit to a no-buy. I tried for 2024 and failed within thw first week then completely forgot about it all together lol right now, I'm setting a formal budget instead and making that my central goal for the year. Part of the budget allocates a set percentage to spend freely on whatever so as long as I'm able to keep within that monthly limit, I'll count it as a win.

[@annapetryk]

My 2025 wish and plan is to make more things myself instead of buying. What inspired me was one episode of Project runway or sth similar. A guy said that he used to go to Goodwill with his grandma, buy some cheap stuff and they were disassembling them at home to learn how they were constructed. I did the same with my pajama top and now I have a new skill - I can sew a shirt with a collar for myself. Sorry for this long speech 😅

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

That's so cool! Would make a really fun project too, disassembling and learning about how clothes are made using thrifted clothing. Someday if I have the time, I may try this too!

[@V1sual3y3z]

What was the music at the end? It was so beautiful and I don't think I have heard it before. I love that you end your videos by sharing some of your playing.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

The ending was the "improvised melody" part of the quartet piece, "5 sheep, 4 goats" by the Danish String Quartet - the intro music is the beginning of that same piece. So I was improvising a melody over the chords they wrote for quartet (but recorded all the parts into my loop pedal on viola). The piece is really beautiful in its original form, would highly recommend listening to their full version!

[@paularuotsalainen8954]

I am interested about no buy year. I just don't know how it works. For me it is difficult to notice difference between needs and wants. I would like to find my way to consume. I usually consume a little. For example last winter I thought that I would like to get thin woolen sweater. I didn't buy it. This year I think about that sweater but haven't bought it yet. I live in a cold climate and I would use thin woolen sweater, but I can live without it. Sweater would make my life easier and I know I would use it because I don't have any thin woolen sweater. But actually I don't need it. I have 3 thick woolen sweathers. It depends how cold winter is, what I need. It is funny how much person can think about buying or not buying a thing 😂

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

It is funny, isn't it! I made a whole channel to think about buying/not buying things, which is kind of crazy when I think about it. I'm going to dive deeper into wants vs. needs this year! Would love to hear your updates on any other things you find yourself "thinking" about too 😊

[@MsKatze]

Happy New Year!!! 🎉

[@Happyfrogreading]

I am doing my first no buy in 2025. I hope that by watching your channel it will help me stay motivated.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

I hope I can help others with motivation too! Let me know if there any specific ideas or requests you have for me to think about on here!

[@m.b.ortega544]

I was thinking that if you have a fail purchase in the future, why not return the product(s) to maintain integrity/ rectify the mistake? I would think that is a good solution.

[@racheljames9187]

Maybe in the no buy sense, but returns are often binned rather than resold - so often an item will truly be wasted if it is returned.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

It could be a way to "avoid" some of the ramifications of the mistake, get the money back, not have to keep the item, etc, but, in many cases of the things I purchased in 2024 they were un-returnable (many things purchased secondhand, one thing on final sale) and this is also one of the factors I'm going to be more careful with going forward. If I can't "try before I buy" as a general rule, I'm going to be much more reluctant to buy

[@joanamarch8847]

I’m subscribing 😊 also doing a no buy till April and then low buy. Any tips?

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Wooo! Find something else to do with the time that used to be spent shopping, watching influencing content, etc - and also, go through EVERYTHING you have, sometimes there's nothing like a bit of decluttering to remind you why you don't want or need to buy more!

[@joanamarch8847]

@ thank you! 🫶🏻

[@Maykono1]

Thank you for sharing. I am also curious to know how many emails you got to advertise or showcase products and what were the amounts they offered. If you’ll be open to share of course.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Yes - have filmed this to share in January!

[@Chloe7324v7h]

Sometimes, it helps to look at an issue through a different lens. Nassim Taleb ideas of fragility are a view of choices that can bring order to their execution.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

He's the "Antifragile" guy, right? I read his work back when I was in undergrad, so maybe a decade ago, it's probably time to revisit!

[@christineg6123]

This is the first video I've seen of yours and I'm wondering if you're from nfld or nova scotia? You have a Canadian east coast accent lol

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Interesting! I've lived in the Midwestern US, Texas, and New Zealand, so I guess it's a combination of those

[@lunallena5594]

Liw buy is more realistic for me. I was wanting to buy more eyeshadow paletes, but I looked at what I had, and I don't need the clutter.

[@soulieobelissevan]

photon osmosis based on desire and desirability ... that keeps you in the flow of said photons ... plasma light as liquid ... water is wanting. But is wanting a deserving or manifesting?

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Interesting way of putting it - and whether wanting is a deserving or manifesting is an interesting question too. I have started journaling on the fact that really, everyone "deserves" everything, (and so also, no one does) - so I suppose my initial assertion is that it is some sort of manifesting. However I'm not sure what the definition of "manifesting" is in this context, so my answer may be imprecise !

[@mqua4610]

I think it’s difficult to do a “no buy” when your body changes due to illness, moving to a different climate, or age. I have gone through all of my wearable clothing since I moved to a warmer climate. Also in the 6 years that I’ve moved, I can no longer pass for a gen x as I am a boomer. Grateful however, that there is Poshmark and eBay. I successfully sold most of my clothing and purchased new appropriate clothing. No 70 yr woman should have to wear clothing like Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. And if that reference escapes you, it means that you’re probably young enough to wear the boho and under 50 age styles popular now. Unfortunately, i shouldn’t. So as soon as I sell, I spend 1/2 of the profits on clothing.

[@kellygarland63]

I’ve had to replace my entire wardrobe due to a 80 pd weight loss due to a chronic illness. Still needing a few pieces but it’s been a beneficial experience to be able to choose well,choose quality and only choose pieces I need to complete my new wardrobe. I’m making no bad choices so far. And it’s all because I’ve watched videos on the subject as well as the environmental impact of certain fabrics. Also, no fast fashion UNLESS it’s good quality and will last at least 5 years. And no companies that have questionable labour practise. I do the homework now. Instead of just buying.

[@CAGChannel1]

Just curious if your husband and/or inlaws watch your content or are in on the journey or are fascinated by your observations of yourself since they know you best.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

No they do not! Or at least I know for a fact my husband doesn't (he doesn't really have time, but I have also requested that he doesn't!), and I'm pretty sure my inlaws don't either (hopefully not!) Actually none of my "in real life" friends or colleagues know about this project, as far as I'm aware 👀

[@bthomson]

So like the mitigating word " gentle!" This channel has always been so careful of all opinions!

[@tcreative8030]

Yeah- full disclosure- I didn't watch this video. I watched the one we were all waiting for and that's it for me. Was subbed and had been for many months of your journey and was excited for the finale. $500 jeans did me in- sorry. I could see a beautiful, vintage, or handmade...or something spectacular.. dress or beautiful tailored suit, but jeans? Denim. $500. DENIM. Unless you're wealthy (and you don't come off that way) I'm not sure What I've been following. Good luck to you, anyway, and Happy New Year!

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

I get it, and sorry to disappoint! You've been following a consumerism-corrupted individual who still has some work to do. Thanks for the luck, and happy new year to you too!

[@macaronblanc9522]

your voice is so annoying

[@jochenkraus7016]

KZbin's new feature might help you here: You can have AI voices in other lanuages. But I think I stick to the original voice here.

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

This is why I play the viola 😄

[@lavieestduresansconfiture3912]

I really appreciate your voice. Finally not one of these endlessly grinning woman with Daisy Duck voices who wants to keep their girlie-image.

[@roses.9181]

I started watching your channel about 4 weeks ago, and I've started from the beginning and I am watching through the year. I am going to watch them alongside Hannah Louise Poston's videos too for encouragement to keep going. I am currently on week 11 of your no-buy, so I didn't see the point where you purchased anything yet, but I wanted to come watch this video to see your recap of the year so I can learn for 2025 as well. Thank you for sharing your reflections, because I am so glad you are referencing the world around you. It's such a terribly strong pull, it was all designed to make us spend our hecking money on things that will all eventually end up in the landfill. In the end, you did not fail. You learned so much about yourself and how to improve for the next year. P.S, I love the new name and logo! I am happy to see it changes right on Jan 1, which tells me you are just as excited as we are for this new journey of gentle resistance!! You've got this! :) Happy New Year!!!

[@Alexas.nobuyyear]

Very excited 😊 And fair warning - since you mention Hannah Louise Poston, I do get to a point in my 2024 no buy year where I made some videos that are somewhat critical of her current, more "influencing" content (not directly, and not just her! But I try not to mention names in a negative or critical context as a general rule) that I found myself falling for due to my extreme admiration for her no buy year. I don't have anything against her as a person or creator and still admire her for many things, even if she is currently on a slightly different path in terms of online presence. But just a heads up that it may seem like I get kind of negative or judgemental during that period of my 2024 no buy, if you do continue watching the old backlog 😅

[@roses.9181]

@@Alexas.nobuyyear Thank you for the heads up hahah! I get that this kind of journey is quite radical and can bring up tons of emotions. It's literally detoxing yourself from an addiction! There are many thoughts, feelings, emotions that arise, and I am so thankful for your honesty and willingness to share your journey. It's so incredibly helpful for those of us who are going to go through a similarly radical experience to change our habits. I promise I will take it with a grain of salt