quietinsurrection

Mine will mostly be lotions, soaps, body sprays, and hand soaps. Wish me luck.

I actually decided to do this to a few weeks ago while on a staycation. I was declutterung my house and was horrified of the shelves in my bathroom. My son is also participating.

One thing that anti-consumerism does not mean is refusing to buy anything at all. We still need clothing, hygiene products, food, medicine, and basic comforts. The difference is in the mindset behind the purchase. I’m not buying products because an influencer told me I “need” a 14-step skincare routine or because marketing convinced me that my completely normal human face is some kind of problem that needs fixed with luxury creams.

My skincare routine is honestly very simple. I use a moisturizing soap, moisturizer, vitamin C serum in the morning, retinol in the evening, and SPF sunblock during the day. That’s it. No overflowing bathroom cabinet. No drawers full of half-used trendy products. No spending hundreds chasing “glass skin” or whatever new beauty trend social media invented this week.

Most of the products I use are store brands and relatively cheap. That alone cuts through a huge amount of marketing nonsense. Companies are extremely good at convincing people that expensive automatically means better, especially in beauty culture. A fancy label, minimalist packaging, and an influencer partnership can suddenly turn a basic moisturizer into a $70 “must-have.” Meanwhile, the cheaper version often works just fine.

What I avoid is the endless cycle of buying products out of boredom, insecurity, or the constant pressure to “upgrade” myself. Modern consumer culture thrives on making people feel perpetually unfinished. Your skin is never glowing enough. Your hair is never healthy enough. Your house is never aesthetic enough. There is always another product waiting to solve the insecurity they just manufactured.

I also won’t recommend specific products because everyone’s skin is different. What works for me might irritate someone else’s skin completely. That’s another thing consumer culture tends to flatten: people are individuals, not identical machines. There is no universal miracle product despite what advertising claims.

Honestly, anti-consumerism for me comes down to a few simple questions:

Does this actually serve a purpose in my life?

Am I buying this because I genuinely need it, or because I was manipulated into wanting it?

Will I actually use it consistently?

Am I replacing something that already works perfectly fine?

In today's charged political environment, many people feel the impulse to express their beliefs through spending choices. You might be considering participating in a no-buy day, hoping to make a statement against certain companies or practices. However, it's essential to recognize that simply not buying anything for one day won't significantly impact those businesses. A single day of reduced spending won't send a strong enough message or lead to meaningful change.

For real impact, this approach needs to be consistent and sustained over a longer period. It requires commitment and a thoughtful strategy to alter purchasing habits effectively. If you truly want your spending to align with your values, you will need to think beyond just one day.

Consider how you can implement longer-term changes in your consumption choices. This means making conscious decisions about where and how you spend your money regularly. It may involve researching companies to understand their practices or seeking out alternative brands that better match your values. By building a habit of mindful spending, you can contribute to a bigger shift over time.

If you're curious about practical steps to make this a reality, keep reading. There are many ways to align your purchases with your beliefs, leading to a collective impact that goes beyond any single action.

These tips may seem overwhelming at first, but many can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. It's important to remember that you should not feel embarrassed if there are some suggestions that you find challenging to adopt. The key is to focus on what you can realistically manage and put into practice. Everyone experiences different levels of success when trying to make changes, and it's perfectly normal for most people to implement only a small portion of these ideas. What matters is making the effort to apply these tips that fit your life. Small steps can lead to progress, so celebrate what you can accomplish, no matter how minor it may seem.

1. Stop all discretionary spending.  If it is not essential for life, maintaining your health, hygiene or your home don't spend money on it.  My Son and I have been doing this since mid-December of last year. The only things we have bought since then are food, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and pet supplies.  We cut out all discretionary spending on frivolous items.

2. Stop going to the store so frequently.  Honestly, you should be making a list of everything you need before you go.  Do a thorough inventory of everything you have and make your list based on that. There should be no need to make trips to the store midweek unless an unforeseen event occurs. Less frequent trips mean less impulse buying. For the love of god, there should be no reason why you need to stop into your local Dollar General almost every day. And yes I have seen people do this.  Plan your trips dammit.

3. Try to stick to small local businesses and stay away from big companies.  I know this one is not feasible for everyone due to where they live and finances.  If you must use services such as Amazon and Walmart really try to stick to just essentials. I am one of those who still have the need to get essentials from such places, I have truly limited my spending on those sites.

4. Strive for reusable. It's okay to make a purchase if the item is reusable and going to replace a single-use item. In the long run not only will you spend less but it's also better for the environment. Items such as reusable napkins, stainless steel water bottles, glass food storage containers, wool balls(instead of fabric sheets), etc.

5. Try to carpool, both for work and with errands. Ask friends, family, and neighbors if they would like to share a ride to do shopping or run other errands.  Less fuel is used in the long run.  If you live somewhere walkable and you have no health issue that precludes you from walking then walk to do your errands. Public transportation is also a possibility if you have access to it.

6. Do not eat out.  As tempting as it is try not to eat out.  Short on time, check out some quick and easy recipes for meals.  I even know of a few who can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less.  This takes some planning, so it is always good to have certain things on hand.  Don't eat out for lunch bring it to work.  You can do sandwiches or even use up leftovers giving you less waste.

7. If you are a reader utilize your local library.  It is a great way to get books and the best part is they cost you nothing to read.

8. If you must buy something, check out your local Buy Nothing group first, you might be able to get it for free.  You can also check out flea markets, thrift stores (research the bigger ones, there is a reason you want to avoid Goodwill, Salvation army etc.), and rummage sales.

9. Watch your utility consumption. Turn your thermostat down, and shut faucets off when not in actual use(between rinsing dishes, brushing your teeth, etc) Do only full loads of laundry, not small loads.

10. Watch how much product you use.  Soap, shampoo, and conditioner, you are probably using more than needed. Use smaller amounts you can always add more if you misjudged and used too little.  By using less product the product will last you longer meaning less will need to be bought long term.  For laundry detergent, fabric softener, cleaning supplies, etc use the manufacture recommended amount. Most people use too much of those too.

11. It's okay to spend some, especially if you have a hobby.  My son enjoys playing video games eventually he's going to need a new video game.  I enjoy some books that are just not possible to get at a library(I read many self-published authors) eventually I'm going to buy a book.

One of the best parenting moments is realizing your child didn’t just copy your words — they absorbed your values.

Not just “be polite” or “be ethical,” but deeper things: compassion, curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to question a culture that tells people to consume endlessly instead of think deeply.

Being lazy is good. Fuck the Puritans for saying that laziness was something wrong and evil.

To take a break and do nothing is a great way to recharge. It might take an hour, or days and weeks. But working less is not a "sin". Being idle is perfectly fine. One does not have to be busy all the time.