The Sustainalist - Sustainability 101
Now, this one is a game-changer because we’re talking about an area where your actions can make a massive impact: Online shopping!
We’re living in a world today where convenience rules. Choices are endless, and at the click of a button, we get whatever we want, delivered straight to our doorstep. But what happens when we go on autopilot with that "want, click, buy" loop? We lose track of our own behaviour, do not engage in mindful spending, and don't think of what’s happening behind the scenes of any order we place.
You’ve probably seen people getting packages from the same retailer multiple times a week - maybe you’re in that group yourself? No judgement here - I was there too! The psychology behind it is simple: Our brains love convenience, and they’ll keep operating on autopilot unless we make a conscious effort to stop. But the good news? We can change that, one small step at a time.
Here’s the simplest way to change that behaviour and reduce your carbon footprint while making your wallet happy:
Pause before you buy.
Instead of one-click buying, add the item to your basket first.
Ask yourself if it’s urgent.
Can it wait for a couple of days? Most of the time, it’s not as urgent as it feels. Questions like “Do I really need this right now?”, and “Could I leave it sitting there for a couple of days?” help greatly in pausing and evaluating.
Check in with your FOMO.
Lower prices, especially on sites like Amazon, come around again. They always do. Don’t get sucked into “fear of missing out” on a deal. When you feel that fear of missing out creeping in, step back, breathe, and just observe yourself. You’ll often find it’s not the product you’re after, but the feeling of getting a "deal.".
Collect, then reflect.
Let items sit in your basket for a few days and come back to them. You’ll probably spot a couple of things that make you wonder, "Why did I even put this in here?" Delete those straight away.
Use wish lists or 'save for later.'
This helps you see how often you change your mind over time. It gives you space to reflect and realise, "Wow, I really don’t need that after all." More often than not, you’ll find yourself revisiting your list and wondering if a cheeky little leprechaun just put stuff in there.
Place one big order.
After a few days of reflection, when you’ve gathered a decent amount of items that you really desire, place a single order. Make sure to check the option for one big delivery instead of separate smaller ones.
Can You See the Difference?
By using this method, you’ll not only rein in your "shiny object syndrome," but you’ll save money and, more importantly, cut down your carbon footprint. Just think about it - only one delivery truck stopping at your place instead of five in one week. That’s less traffic, less fuel used, less packaging, and fewer emissions. That sounds awesome, doesn’t it?
You can even take it a step further and challenge yourself to set up monthly deliveries through subscribe & save. It’s like a little test to see how often you crave the shiny things and then realise later, “I didn’t need that after all!”. It’s honestly liberating.
Added Bonus: Enter Minimalism and Essentialism
By becoming more aware by applying the above method, you not only act more sustainable, but this whole process ties in beautifully with minimalism and essentialism. As you take time to reflect on each purchase, you’ll naturally begin to focus on what’s truly important to you. Before you know it, your shopping basket becomes an extension of your values, rather than a dumping ground for momentary shiny-things-desires.
So, as usual I invite you now to give this a shot. You’ll not only boost your sustainability efforts, but you’ll also feel lighter, more intentional, and way more in control of your shopping habits - and your wallet.
Now, have fun becoming more by growing your sustainability impact.
With love, compassion, and courage,
Heike
The Sustainalist
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