Lifestyle 21.11.2023

Mindful Consumer: 5 Steps to Be a More Conscious Shopper

Your long-term mental health, and your bank balance, will prosper by being more conscious and mindful about your shopping habits. Make a conscious decision every time you shop to follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more mindful consumer.

Photo: Gustaf peterson Text: Jacob Lane

lifestyle Jacob Lane

The past few years have seen most of us spending more time at home than ever before, and with that many of us have turned our attention to de-cluttering, minimising what we own, and streamlining our lifestyles. Thanks in part to the hit Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, we’ve got rid of hundreds of items of clothing, home-wares, and more; and business is still booming for the de-cluttering experts. But how do we make sure we don’t fall right back into the trap of impulse buying and cluttering up our homes again?

By making conscious decisions about what we buy, we’ll not only maintain the simple homes we desire, we’ll also save money in the long-run, look after our mental health more effectively, make an environmental impact, and won’t have to go through the rigorous de-cluttering process again.

Buy classic pieces

Don’t feel like you should never buy anything new again. A few simple classic pieces in your wardrobe will afford your fashion choices a timeless look that means you can continue to wear them for years, and they will pair with almost any outfit. You’ll never look out of place in a plain white shirt or a pair of well-cut jeans that suit your body shape. Whilst it may sound counter-intuitive, a small but well-thought-out wardrobe can actually make it easier to decide what to wear each day, and you’ll have an outfit ready to go for every occasion.

Buy vintage

A great way to keep your purchasing habits sustainable is to buy vintage. The modern culture of fast fashion means many items from high street stores are poorly made with low quality materials, and won’t last very long. Harry Diamond, owner of Cry For The Moon, explains that “Antique and vintage fashion are sustainable alternatives when accessorising your wardrobe. The reuse of these precious materials reduces the need for sourcing new materials breathes new life into handmade designs.” Vintage watches is also a good financial investment as the premium paid on ‘new’ items don’t apply, and there will always be a strong market for collectables. Whilst some older items can be frayed with age, others maintain a glorious antique character, such as beautiful and unique watches, or solid wood furniture for your home. By buying second-hand vintage, you’ll not only impress your friends with your one-of-a-kind retro items, you’ll also score extra points for sustainability.

Buy only what you need

One of the most effective ways to become a mindful consumer is to only buy what you really need. Only go shopping when you notice that something is broken, empty, or worn out, and just buy the replacement item that you need. It’s all too easy to get swept up in sales and special offers, or to go along with the latest TikTok trend that will be forgotten by next month. Making sure that you avoid these kinds of impulse purchases is a great first step on your mindful shopping journey.

Related: Basic Wardrobe: 22 garments and accessories for the whole year

Buy quality

Buying good quality items can mean a more expensive initial outlay, but you’ll reap the rewards in the long term. One pair of good quality jeans that lasts you ten years is a better, and more sustainable, investment than having to replace your cheaper low quality jeans every year or two. Using this tip in combination with the ideas above means that one pair of jeans could go a long way. You won’t have to spend as much time shopping around as often either, so you can use that time to get on with the things you really enjoy.

Give yourself time to think

If you’re not 100% sure about the item you’re looking at, don’t buy it. Marie Kondo says we should only keep things that bring us joy, and that’s the same for new purchases. Consider Shakaila Forbes-Bell’s “Four-Three-Two-One-Rule” in her book Big Dress Energy, and decide whether you’ll still be wearing it in four years time, or whether you’ll wear it on at least three separate occasions. Take two deep breaths, and sleep on it one night before you take the plunge. The same rule can be applied to non-clothing items as well. If you’re still thinking about it when you wake up in the morning, the chances are it’s worth getting. Giving yourself time to really think about your purchases and whether you truly need them is a great step towards a more mindful shopping experience.

Maintaining your mindful shopping approach

Whilst you may get an instant dopamine hit from an impulse purchase, your long-term mental health, and your bank balance, will prosper by being more conscious and mindful about your shopping habits. Make a conscious decision every time you shop to follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more mindful consumer.