Why question our buying habits? Why consider living more simply or frugally? And why could this matter to you?
The Pause That Changed Everything
When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, life suddenly stopped. For many of us, it was the first real pause after years of busy, non-stop routines. To me, that abrupt stillness became an unexpected invitation to reflect, to ask myself what truly mattered. I had the chance to look from a different perspective at my daily habits and how they impacted on our lives.
A Seed Planted Earlier
This reflection wasn’t entirely new to me. Back around 2010–2011, thinking that there could be a simpler, greener and healthier way of living, I had started making simple household products myself, such as cleaners and personal care items. Then work took over and with it, convenience. I started buying ready-made products again, though I was at least more aware, choosing “natural” options whenever possible. A few years later, when I became a mother, life grew even busier. My energy went to caring for my child and juggling countless small and large needs.
Seeing Consumption Clearly
During the pandemic, forced to slow down and stay home, I found space to look carefully at the life around me: my husband, my son, our health and our happiness. I began noticing how many resources we consumed unconsciously, how many products we bought that added little to no value to our lives, apart from benefiting the companies that sold them. I became aware of the garbage we produced every day, the unnecessary hygiene and beauty items, the extra clothes, the things we hardly used.
Learning to Live with Less
Slowly, I started paying attention to each area of our lives: our home, our routines, our spending. I asked myself: Could we do better with less? Could we use what we already own instead of buying more? The answer was often yes.
I realized how often we shop not out of real need but out of habit — because we think, “I deserve it”, because we seek social validation or because we fear that what we already have isn’t enough or won’t be socially “appropriate.”
Choosing “Enough”
Little by little, I freed myself from that pressure. I discovered that we could live well — even better — with far less. And, more importantly, I felt lighter, more content and less trapped by the cycle of wanting more.
This mindset has become something engrained in my daily life and I want to share it with you. I believe many of us feel this same quiet dissatisfaction with overconsumption but don’t always know where to start or how to break free. Talking about it, exchanging experiences, ideas, and feelings, can help us all rethink what we truly need and find more joy in enough.
Suggested reading: “Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What We Buy and Who We Are” by Rob Walker
Read my first blog post to know more: “Mindful consumption and the make do philosophy”