Why it's SO HARD to Stop Buying Fast Fashion | Psychology of Shopping

[@marshmallowpie42]

The library is a good place to 'shop'. You get the excitement of browsing through things you like, reading is good activity to replace shopping with, and if you end up gathering a large pile of books they can always be returned (even if you don't get to reading all of them.) Reading challenges are a good way to get motivated and can be found online or through a local library.

[@tAmRa89]

Yes!!! 📚 ❤️

[@megan2176]

I was just going to post this exact comment! I get such a thrill going to the library, and better yet - online library catalogues! You can browse through thousands of items (especially if your library is part of a multi-library system), and request items (books, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks, etc) to come to your local branch. I get a bit carried away sometimes, but it's so exciting to show up and see what I've "ordered" over the previous weeks. Also really fun to load up directly at the library, browsing the shelves. Also bonus, you don't have to keep them or find places in your home to store them. Plus it's better for the environment, not creating demand for new items to be made. Borrow, return, over and over! Total library nerd here, and proud of it! :)

[@giovanasouza2200]

Remember why you are doing this is a great tip! The other day I walked into a Zara and was really tempted to buy some t-shirts, and then I looked at the tag and it said "made in Bangladesh"... I was hit with the reason why I stopped shopping there, and I felt really bad and just walked out of the store.

[@glennamartin193]

Thrift Thrift Thrift!! You can shop til you drop and spend little to no money. It is a fun day with friends and better still if you go with a list and at the very beginning of seasonal changes. People are going through their wardrobes then and you can find some beautiful things for very little money. Don’t forget the rule of one thing in one thing out and make sure you support your local Thrift stores!

[@marigoldx9691]

I’m 14 and I am an eco warrior (I like to think in a warrior but I’m probably just a lil hippie) and I find these videos very useful. Charity shoppping is my alternative to fast shopping it is an option i would definitely recommend.

[@danielladipol4229]

I'm excited that the Netflix show Tidy Up with Marie Kondo is so popular now, everyone is cleaning out their closets and donating to thrift stores. Talk about a deal, and reusing is more sustainable than buying new!

[@MyGreenCloset]

Unfortunately though thrift stores were already getting too many clothes, now likely even more which they can't handle. 😔

[@naturegirl321]

I’ve volunteered at thrift stores and you’d be surprised how much actually gets sold as rags. People need to STOP buying so much crap.

[@sereinwu]

I stopped/avoided fast fashion last year, but my shopping habits were still out of control in all aspects. I totally feel all these things, why I'm working on a no buy this year. Having really specific rules and time frames is helping. Thank you for breaking this down so scientifically, I literally felt like I was going crazy.

[@flufftronable]

I read an interesting article, where the writer challenged herself to not buy cheap clothing or sale shopping, and to only purchase something if it was $100 so there had to be some “pain” involved in the purchase so therefore she valued it more and every purchases was thoughtful.

[@MyGreenCloset]

Interesting! Definitely can help you make more rational decisions.

[@fienl.6493]

As a psychology student, I find this topic very interesting. You hit the nail on the head, shopping is and can be addicting, it can give you the same 'reward' sensation feeling, similar to other 'addictive' things. As you said, finding other activities to do when you want to go shop can help. However, I even think you can go to a deeper level. Sometimes you also need to identify the reason you're shopping. In my case a long time ago, it was something that lifted me up when I was sad, just to go out and buy something, the 'reward' feeling fills up the less pleasant feelings you sometimes have. I think it is important to recognise those feelings in yourself, identify them, en acknowledge that shopping is sometimes your remedy. I used to think that feeling like I was on trend, and people complimenting me on new items, would make me feel more confident and happy. It helps to find other, more sustainable things that give you the 'reward' feeling whenever you feel like you might need it, or try to resolve the negative things you're feeling by talking about it, seeking social contacts, writing it down, etc. Realising the short pleasure of a new item only lifts you up for a short time, and quickly resolves, helps you care for those pieces you've been treasuring for a long time, and that give you joy all the time you see and wear it. And I realised I only grew more confident once I stepped aside the 'trend' race, and it gave me real pleasure that I no longer contributed to this sickening consumer chain.

[@JennDyer]

Even hearing you say "shopping" makes me want to shop. My mom has a shopping addiction, and I think I do too. I've mostly kept it in line by living on a budget, but I still find myself shopping without intention at times. Your explanation of why spending more hurts completely makes sense. I know that it's harder for me. When I shop I usually tell myself that if I'm not willing to pay a higher price I don't really need the item. It's the frustration of not finding what I'm looking for made by an ethical retailer that usually leads me to buy something that I don't know is ethically made. I've been trying harder to take the time to look more, wait, and research better in order to spend my money in a more ethical way.

[@lorethehobbit]

I’d recommend depop! Second hand shopping means you’re not funding unethical and unsustainable practises but you’re also getting affordable clothing. The good thing about depop is that you can often find exactly what you’re looking for and can search by size/brand/price etc

[@shaunaburton7136]

I think it is changing. The mall in my town lost many shops. A lot of people are looking into minimalism.

[@marshmallowpie42]

Can you get similar sensations browsing your off-capsule clothes? You forget the clothes you aren't currently wearing and it's kinda like shopping. :)

[@annaclaranilsson7058]

Yes I have been doing that to. I changed my scarf collection and changed a couple to more spring colors.

[@mandarinz69]

Yes I get that sensation!

[@sarahthatcher123]

To help me remember my values I watch the documentary 'The True Cost' every couple of months and then I am highly motivated and determined not to be part of the 'problem'.

[@kathrinel.j4382]

Where can you find this documentary?

[@paolacordova189]

I really appreciate the attachment of the articles!!! You are the best!

[@missnectarina]

So that's why I replaced fast fashion shopping with secondhand/thirft shopping!? 😅 I always end up buying stuff that doesn't belong in my capsule wardrobe 😞

[@danielladipol4229]

Totally!!

[@ToriPlaysDressUp]

I did this last year, not a single item was bought new. i rediscovered a love of charity shops which used to be a staple when i was a teen and eBay became my best friend, I love playing with my look too much to give up shopping completely but now i can buy and donate and resell and its just as much fun.

[@saraborgestavares2299]

great video, thank you 😁😊 I personnally do not enjoy shopping! I am always looking for specific things and fast fashion stores just stress me out... None of my friend accually enjoys shopping with me bcs I am always thinking about and pointing out the ecological issues related to the pieces they are buying! However I always say it on a non-aggressive way just to make them aware of those things bcs they seem to not even care but still I think those attemps do not really work... By the way, I really love secondhand shopping, it is much more rewarding to find the perfect piece secondhand bcs of all the time and patience associated with it! and I tend to find way better quality items too! 😘

[@sarahschmidt38]

Same! 😁 but at least i can recognize small changes in thinking :)

[@budd20e]

Thank you so much for summarizing all of this. Fantastic. Thank you

[@tAmRa89]

Thank you for sharing! I’m doing very well with stopping fast fashion or buying anything I don’t really need as of late, but I still suck at it at the grocery store 😅

[@KurlyKy]

This was SUCH an interesting video Erin! Really, really well done. :D I completely support your channel changes and appreciate that the content is still amazing quality, even if it will be less frequent. One video adding value to my life is so much better than the saturation of other videos from other channels. Kind of like sustainable fashion v fast fashion! :D

[@MyGreenCloset]

Thanks!! That means a lot 💚

[@iwantobeapanda]

Woah... the notion that uncertainty to find something increases the dopamine release is truly mindblowing. Now I have a logical explanation to "justify" my addiction to thrifting. 🤗 I am working all week, so that reduces the time I can indulge, though.

[@YaraMel]

I get crazy dopamine on thrift stores. It's like I'm treasure hunting sustainably. Makes me super happy.

[@dianamccarthy2377]

I’m doing a no buy this year because my shopping has gotten way out of hand. No clothes unless I’m replacing an entire category if it wears out, which is highly unlikely. And no makeup/skincare. I need to use what I have and get rid of what I don’t end up using. And I will be implementing a budget once this year is over.

[@ABCstockholm007]

I see shopping as a pretty stressful activity actually. It gives me way more pain than pleasure. I think its because I am such a perfectionist that I have this ultimate and exact imigination of how an clothing item should be that I always get dissappointed in the stores or if I find something which is close to my imagination there will be another flaw and I usually have to go to the tailor to make it fit perfect. Also I feel a lot pressure from the current beauty ideal (hourglas shape body) which definately infuences my shopping decisions. There are some pieces I would never buy just because I would look "horrible" in them (making me look super unproportionate for example). And then plus all the other factors we should consider before buying an item.... Its lots of stress. Really. I try to improve my wardrobe atm but its hard work and cost a lot of time and money.

[@karolinakuc4783]

So maybe you should hire a tailor. In Europe you can find many good tailors and it is cheaper than in USA for dollar is stronger than let's say zloty or hrivna

[@kathrinel.j4382]

I would love to have enough money for slow fashion. So I still buy fast fashion, but I dont throw stuff out because it has holes. Things I dont use I mostly sell or donate. And im practicing only buying what I will wear for a long time, but it is hard, but im getting better at it. It really helps making a list of what you need an describing the item you need, what color it is etc.

[@yadirawc]

Thanks for this video because everything is true. I feel pain not being.able to buy cheap iteams at malls. I feel my insticts kicking in to buy it because it's cheap and cute but reminding myself the whys really helps to not stop and move on!

[@andreea-danielabelciug660]

Currently, in the country I'm form it's sale season and I've anticipated this month for a while yet I feel like nothing is satisfying anymore, it's not that good of a deal, I don't like it enough to bring it (and the guilt) in my closet. I feel like it is a process of maturing and understanding the reasoning and consequences of shopping.

[@thehousecatdiary9667]

I definitely have trouble fighting the shopping instinct. I’m finding the best way to fight it is to avoid the shops. I also love second hand but that can be a disaster as well. Ahh too much clutter.

[@anislen357]

Since I have my daughter I only want to buy stuff for her :D they grow soo fast, I "have to" go shopping more often, but like for myself, I buy almost only second Hand (except for shoes)

[@May-qb3vx]

I’ve just realized I get so emotionally attached to everything I own but I also don’t like living in clutter. The solution: I buy less so I get less heartbreak that would come from having to de-clutter all the time.

[@GreenAndTheToe]

“Out of sight, out of mind” Very true!

[@rosexo5778]

Im just not into the more expensive clothing so I love fast fashion. Run way and labeled stuff just doesnt look good.

[@MyGreenCloset]

There's a whole world of clothing between fast fashion and designer brands that doesn't exploit and actually pays the people who made it a living wage!

[@jessicastrom9933]

This is amazing thank you!

[@tulipp3666]

Hi Erin! Love your videos, they're all so thoughtful, but would you consider captioning more of them?

[@MyGreenCloset]

I would love to but unfortunately just don't have the time or money to. Any captioning on my videos is actually done by amazingly kind viewers who help with it.

[@naturegirl321]

Don’t they have auto captioning options?

[@petra1995]

I never really got into shopping so it was fairly easy to stop buying fast fashion 2-3 years ago. But now I'm developing a thrifting addiction and I have to stop myself from going to thrift stores all the time 😅

[@wal094]

4:05 the hand behind you moves Very elegantly.

[@valdezd625]

Think you had a ghost in your corner. There was a lot of light-orb action going on around 3:20.

[@naturegirl321]

Making lists had helped me. I get the thrill of the hunt but don’t buy anything.

[@MoonchildLibros]

Really interesting, i understand the excitement part, but honestly i don´t think that´s the only reason, I know that you did not said that XD, i just want to add, that in my case and maybe another people, buy in those stores is because they have trend and cool clothes. I don´t buy in Zara since two years ago, but last year I went to forever 21 at least 10 times.. also i bougth in second hand shops, i am trying. in my country is hard to get cool clothes in thrifting stores, anyway, i think i am doing my best :D, sorry for my english, i am still learning. xo

[@mjliu6439]

I think I was a shopping addict, I used to buy a lot of fast fashion clothes, now that I’m working less, my income has reduced and I’m thinking twice before buying. Reading and listening to minimalists books and podcast helped me a lot, money is time because you are using your time at work to gain money, is it worth to use my time to buy cheap clothes to use them a couple times before throwing away? In my opinion it doesn’t worth my time.

[@annaclaranilsson7058]

This was so helpful. I will really try to apply your advice. Don't know if it was from you but I tried to think if I will ware the prices I get 30 times a lot of thing then don't qualify mainly because of poor quality. But second hand is really good I have tried Erikshjäpen online(a swedish site) and I got two jackets for a bargain got embarrassed that I got them so cheap but I will ware them. And on the Swedish site tradera are there a company Sellpy I have oder from them a there where also got stuff.

[@thepupularcharlie869]

I really like the online thrift store called thredup. I usually prefer online shopping so it's nice to find a thrift online.

[@JJSolitude]

After I watched the movie, The True Cost, it made me repulsed by fast fashion. Even seeing people carry their shopping bags makes me sick.

[@erinelzey7063]

Very good and funny videos bring a great sense of entertainment!

[@spacheco92]

great video!

[@himani_chandel]

i am in depression. i havent told anybody about it.i live alone . people makes me feel insecure. only thing that help me is shopping.

[@karolinakuc4783]

So maybe try going to psychologist or if priest if you cannot afford psychological treatment

[@Piddeaux]

Interesting. So why do I really, really, really hate to shop. I hate trying things on. I shop exclusively online. I'd grocery shop online if I could. Maybe I'm just a recluse!

[@TorontoNeurospicyGirl]

I love your shirt!! What is it?

[@MyGreenCloset]

Thanks! I got it secondhand.

[@TorontoNeurospicyGirl]

@@MyGreenCloset 👍

[@HomemakerDaze]

I got a bit of a fright when I saw we have the same hair and shirt hehe

[@keyholes]

I wish I could quit fast fashion, but at the end of the plus size spectrum, I don't have much choice.

[@loucipher7782]

*fast fashion works because people are too damn rich, reduce their salary, done. Solution = Increase Tax lol*

[@nicnothingnice]

Yes, it's all a trap. SMH TFS this!