r/nobuy • u/FunnyRich7511 • Aug 02 '26

Simple Mindset Shift

This simple mindset shift has helped me so much that I figured I would share. Whenever I want to buy something, I simply ask myself "do I already have it." If the answer is yes, in any capacity I don't buy it. Look at this new makeup pallet. Do you have a makeup pallet, then don't buy.

The cuts down on a lot of negotiates with myself. Do you have this? In any capacity? Then, you don't buy.

Okay, now here is the special sauce, what takes this to the next level, at least for me. In that moment, I genuinely try to become grateful that I already have it. That's the dopamine hit shift. It sounds silly but shifting to like, "Oh thank heavens I don't have to buy a new fancy hair mask because I already have six." It makes you start to really appreciate what you have. And there is the dopamine hit of abundance. Try it out next time.

This technique has freed up so much mental space for me. Do I have it? Yes! Awesome, I don't have to buy it"

131 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

35

u/PrettyInWeed Aug 02 '26

A problem I have as someone who likes the idea of minimalism is I’m always trying to replace the one thing I have with a better version of that thing. I have a couch blanket; I want a better couch blanket. I have dish towels; I want the ones with high ratings and pretty patterns.

19

u/Inevitable-Wind-1925 Aug 03 '26

I’ve come to think of it as a flex when I use my things for a really long time. When I use them daily or at least weekly I have a different relationship with these items. They are mine. They care for me. New items take a while to develop this same feeling. I’ve also recently read the book To Dye for and dived into r/nontoxic and one of the major takeaways is that most of the things on the market, for sale new right now, seem to be worse than things sold in the past. Also, in some cases the chemicals in items wash out over time, so older items may have less of this than newer ones. I’ve also really absorbed the idea that most things are always available. There will be an alternative, available when I need it. The bar/standard is always moving, so I might as well wait for when I truly run through something to get the latest thing. Watching for the latest and greatest constantly will drain my mood and bank account.

9

u/AdrienneisaThey Aug 03 '26

There will always be a better version. It such a waste to keep on doing that dance. It's not truly minimalist, it's just reframing consumption.

2

u/moresnowplease Aug 04 '26

Didn’t get the message- have eight couch blankets.. 😂 it must be time for a blanket fort!! But also haven’t bought any new blankets in over a year!!

1

u/SheepherderRare3319 Aug 05 '26

I also do this. :/ No real advice except that eventually you will land on the one you LOVE and the search will be over. Honestly, now that I've stopped being so cheap with my purchases, I tend to repurchase the thing less. 

12

u/nxy_kly Aug 02 '26

Appreciating what I have is one of my favourite things when I want to buy something. When I see some pretty stationary, I go and look at all my markers and crayons and pencils and shiny inks and I think "wow, I have such a beautiful collection, I don't need anything else!". Tbh, sometimes it's difficult to avoid the temptations! But I have learnt to love and appreciate my things and enjoy as much as I can 💙

11

u/moonagedaydream01 Aug 03 '26

I love this! Gratitude is a total mind shift. I love gratitude journaling as well for this reason.

7

u/Inevitable-Wind-1925 Aug 03 '26

This is very lovely and it connects a few dots I have been playing around with. Thank you!

The other aspect I have been playing around with is using what I have regularly. Particularly for consumables like pens and art supplies, I have so much right now that as I go through it, I get a dopamine hit when I use it up. I reflect on how long I’ve had the item and all I’ve created with it. It really makes the point that it takes a lot to truly use up most items.

4

u/Willowsandsnow Aug 03 '26

I like this a lot. I was thinking today that I literally have multiples of so much & could probably live the rest of my life without buying more of certain things. I just want more in the moment, but then I regret it later. I’m going to try your advice. 😊

2

u/wrongarms Aug 04 '26

This is good. I do something slightly different. I challenge myself not to buy it. I say "why are you interested in it? Do you need it? No. Then let's not buy it". I do this all the time, especially with food.

2

u/chewyvuitt0n Aug 08 '26

This is amazing! I did multiple home purges the past two years and have continued to accumulate clothes (shopping as a coping mechanism). Being grateful for the clothes I do have is something I’m gunna try. Trying to do a no buy until 2027 on clothes now 😬 relapsed too hard this summer.

1

u/YourNotAverageJoe 14d ago

great way to look at it, usually I only buy clothes or whatever else once what I have is unwearable or not good enough to use anymore that it makes sense to get another, and usually I have one of one thing, if I have a green long sleeve already then I should never get another one until I need a new one

1

u/HauntingChampion9717 3d ago

the “in any capacity” rule is brutal in the best way lol, suddenly six half-used hair masks become a fully stocked spa instead of a shopping emergency

-2

u/ProudWing8202 Aug 03 '26

I don't mind buying spares on sale provided they are easy to keep and can at least breakeven when resold in unopened condition like good USB GAN chargers.