Ever since I embraced the minimalist-essentialist lifestyle, I find myself being deliberately critical (of myself) vs. impulse spending. Being a minimalist does not mean deprivation or not owning anything fancy. It means I became more deliberative of what I add into my life (and living space), being careful not to go through the cycle of accumulating stuff that I don’t truly need, or those that are in excess of what is essential to my lifestyle.
I listed down the things I bought for myself in 2024 (excluding consumables like food and toiletries). It tallied to twelve items, and four of them are replacements of very old items that broke down (like my eight year old mobile phone, or five year old hair iron).
Before 2024 came to a close, I listed down at least twenty five things I will not buy in 2025. I provided leeway (i.e., low probability) for things that I may need to buy if the need arises.
Disclaimer: This list is very personal vs. my chosen lifestyle. If you happen to disagree or think differently, that is fine. But if like me, you are into mindful living, I hope this sharing helps.
1. Trendy Clothes, One-Time Use Clothes
I buy my clothes and shoes based on comfort level. Clothes should be easy to mix and match, preferably in basic colors, classic styles and
made from sustainable materials.
I invest in high quality and classic clothing that is durable, and I can wear it repeatedly for a long time. This way, the cost per wear is lower even if I bought it at a higher price, vs. buying something that will not last long, or cannot be worn for a long time because the trend will die out.
2. Upgrades
of Mobile Phone and Electronic Gadgets
I replaced my android phone last year after eight long years of service. I don't automatically upgrade to newer models when the new sensation comes along. If this phone is equally sturdy as my old one, it should last another five years or more and that is good enough for me.
3. Firecrackers/Fireworks
We celebrated the passing of the year enjoying the fireworks display courtesy of our co-villagers. We stopped buying fireworks since 2020. My father used to say, it is like burning money. And he was right.
4. Bags
I received two bags last 2023 from my sisters (one was brand new Furla bucket bag, the other one was pre-loved Coach Hobo) and inherited a bag from my daughter (reverse hand-me-down). There is no place at all in the rotation for a new one. I gave away a couple of my pre-loved hand bags to young ladies to put them to better use.
5. Water
Bottles
My water bottle is tough as nails; I don’t see that a replacement is in order anytime soon. I only need one water bottle which I leave at the workplace, and another one at home for travels.
6. Running
Shoes (and all other shoes)
Asics Gel Kayano is my go-to running shoes. I will stick to my stability running shoes until it’s end of life. As of now, I have a complete set of footwear for different occasions. On weekends and casual events, I gravitate to sneakers or flats. I avoid high heels unless it is a ‘high-heel-kind-of-occasion’.
7. Gowns
(and other formal wear)
I don’t mind reusing my old gowns for special occasions if the style and color matches the theme. I recently attended a formal event, received an award, wearing an oldie but goodie gown. What I wore (old or new) was not a big deal if it is keeping up to the dress code. What was important was that I felt good and comfortable in it.
8. Dress
I have six dresses, and I rarely wore them in 2024. During weekends, I almost always wear loose or capri pants, paired with sneakers. Unless there is a special occasion that warrants a new one, safe to say that I don’t have to add one this year.
9. New
Book (until I finish the current one)
I am committed to finish my current reading first before adding a new one to the collection. I also started using an e-book via Google Play Books. I am contemplating buying a Kindle; I need to give it some thought. I still prefer the physical book, but I have to be mindful of shelf space.
10. Nail
Polish
In our chemical-laden world, one less artificial thing off our body is a good thing. I used to reserve having my nails polished for very special occasions, but ditched it altogether. Keeping them clean and trimmed should be decent enough.
11. Hair Color
I had white hairs sticking out when I turned fifty, but thankfully not too much. I dyed my hair in reddish-brown shade 27 years ago and until I change my mind someday, it will stay that way (no dye).
12. New
Ballpens (until I ran out the current one)
This is a tough one because I like using multi-colored ballpens at work, and I keep at least a set of three (in case I lost one). I still have at least five other pens (given to me as tokens) waiting to be used.
13. Sticky Notes and Memo Pads
I still have five sets of sticky notes of different colors, shapes and sizes. Those are useful for short reminders and logging my to-do list. I seriously need to run them out.
14. Planners
I am old school when it comes to planners. I haven’t bought one for many years because I can always get one for free from my colleagues who receive them as tokens and pass it on to me.
15. Paid
Media and Subscriptions
I have limited presence in social media. I have FB and Messenger. My legacy Instagram account is still there but I no longer create new posts. I am not present in X, Tiktok or any other media. I limit myself to one subscription (Netflix) but only until I am able to maximize the cost per use. I turn off the subscription on months when I will be too busy to have time to watch.
16. Make-Up
Stash
Make-up is essential for occasions that warrant one to look put together. But I will not stack up for supplies where one is enough. For example, I only need one each of brow liner, eyeliner and mascara. I stick to one shade of blush, foundation, highlighter, bronzer and pressed powder. It is also not practical to keep a lot of make up items because they have expiration dates.
17. Period
Decorations
We cleared away 90% of old Christmas decorations including the seven feet tree where we end up huffing and puffing just to bring it down to the living room. I replaced it with pre-assembled tree that is kess than two-feet, which I can carry with one hand. I added a simple three piece paper mâché Belen from Papemelroti. I don’t decorate for Halloween, Valentine’s Day, summertime or any other holidays. If that makes for a boring house, so be it!
18. Mobile
Plan Subscriptions
I reverted to a pre-paid mobile plan. Literally, it saved me thousands of pesos for the same, if not better usage level. The data-usage has no expiration and because I am not a heavy user, the data rarely rans out.
19. Perfumes
I keep three bottles of perfumes that my olfactory system can tolerate. I don’t add new ones until I finish at least one of them. My migraine gets triggered by very strong-smelling perfumes, but I appreciate the mildly scented floral perfumes from Jo Malone.
20. Matching
Set of Clothes
I don’t buy matching themed clothes (eg. “Welcome 2025” t-shirts) and most especially, the kind that you can only wear once or few times in your lifetime. The last time I had to buy same-colored shirts for everyone in our family was when we attended a family reunion more than ten years ago and we were assigned to come in fuchsia. Once in a while, we find ourselves choosing the same-colored shirts, but it was absolutely nothing orchestrated.
21. Running
Apparel
I have adequate sets of running shorts and singlets. It is not a necessity to own a number of singlets that are more than the number of running days in a week.
22. Souvenirs
When travelling, I prefer to try and buy the local delicacies. I no longer buy souvenir shirts, key chains, caps, display items and other knick-knacks if I will not be maximizing its use. I receive souvenirs as pasalubong and I put them to good use to honor the giver (like key chains, coffee mugs, magnets) but I will certainly not buy one for myself.
23. Credit
Cards
I have one personal credit card which was rarely used, and a corporate card for business-related travels. I have not and will not add a new one. I don’t spend or use it with the intent of chasing points. I am not easily swayed by 'free-annual fee-for-life promises either.
24. Jewelry
High quality, classic jewelries are a good investment. They don’t run out of style. It can be passed on to next generations. In my case, I don’t collect jewelries. I keep a set of two for special occasions. And because I have a small frame, I would rather not be drowned in heavy pieces of shining, shimmering things.
25. Shopping
as a Hobby
I buy things that we need. Very rarely, I will buy things that I want. But I don’t browse online shopping sites as a form of hobby or to feel good about scoring sales during D-days (11.11, 12.12). I will shop online for the things we need that either I could not find at the traditional store, or, the discount is better when bought online.
So there you have it!
When I started embracing minimalism and essentialism, I realized that it was so much easier to control what I choose to add and accumulate in my life. Being able to save money for things that matter more, is an outcome.
And the more I become mindful in practicing it, I also discovered it was even so much easier to choose and filter the emotions/thoughts/feelings that I allow to enter and take up space and energy in my life!
Happy New Year! Wishing you a year filled with blessing, health and happiness!
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| Sundown at the south of Palawan countrysides To appreciate the beauty of nature, instead of accumulating 'stuff' is what I look forward to year after year. |
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| It has been our tradition to spend the 1st day of the year walking around the village. Collect memories, not stuff. |
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