7 Things To Do Instead Of Shopping | alternatives to shopping for self care & saving money

A few weeks ago, I asked you all on my Instagram how you spend your time now that we are all trying to shop less, save more, and treat ourselves with more kindness. Today I'm sharing your answers :)

What is something you do now instead of shopping?

#howtostopshopping #intentionalliving #simplehabits

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ABOUT ME:🌿
I'm Christina, friendly neighbourhood human on the internet slash pharmacist. You may have previously known me as Style Apotheca. I'm living in Toronto, Canada and on my channel you'll find me on my journey towards minimalism, being content with less, recovery from a shopping addiction, and my journey towards financial freedom from over $120,000 in student loan debt. Thank you SO much for watching and taking the time out of your day to support my channel. A little thumb always helps support me!

[Christinamychas]

What are some things you do now instead of shopping?

[horsechick]

Love it! The classic "my stuff/space is a mess and I don't want to clean, so why don't I browse for MORE stuff to fill my already messy space." We want to look at something fresh and clean, and the curated browsing experience online is used as a weak substitute for actually making our own space comfortable.

[Shiryone]

When I get bored and need to stay away from shopping or other mindless on-line activities, I watch a good minimalist/decluttering YouTube. That always gets me motivated to find more stuff to move out. And if I do want to buy something, I make myself get rid of 2 things, not just one, per one item purchased....it doesn't have to be in the same category of what I'm buying.

[meh]

I started knitting and sewing. I could not let go of clothing. :p For me, clothing is a way to express myself. But as I am now making them myself, I can make what is actually communicating me. It also takes a lot of time to make clothes, so I will always appreciate the end result so much. :) To make it cheaper, I buy yarn on sale and I use second hand clothes for my sewing projects. :)

[vegselene]

Thank you so much for saying nurturing instead of productive! Our brains can’t be productive all the time. I often shop as a “break” (and I loved Hannah Louise Poston’s video on that a few months ago).

[kimberlyallan]

I was literally just browsing online for crap I don't need and decided to come to YT instead. Bruhhhh 😱

[kadyolson]

i needed a hobby that didn’t involve spending money or scrolling on my phone but could still help me relax, so i taught myself how to crochet! it involves buying some materials at first (a few hooks, a few skeins of yarn) but I’ve LOVED learning all of the different stitches and making new things. it feels so empowering to be able to make useful things for myself, my partner, our friends, and our home ❤

[MalamaLife]

Your videos are so retable!! and that's why I love it so much 🥰

[shawnasomers]

I just recently found you…I watch a shitload of Haul videos etc. I am definitely a clothes-aholic and have purchased so many items I don’t need while watching said videos. Not to mention my trips to Zara and winners, “just to have a look” I am now binge watching your videos. You are fantastic and I feel inspired! I have so many beautiful things in my closet I never wear and my closet is an ungodly mess, I can barely see what I have. Also, I love the way you present your videos. You’re very natural and easy to listen to. I know this won’t happen over night for me but I will definitely apply what I’m learning from you! THANK YOU.

[Galloway]

Sewing is my main hobby, but me and my friends started a book club in lockdown which has been a great way of keeping in touch and we never pick books that cost more than a few pounds so it is really affordable.

[danic]

I look at personal finance stuff when I get the urge to shop. It usually helps me rethink what I'm doing.

[janicevin]

I try to go for a 5k walk everyday: it is good for our health and it really clears the mind and puts me in a good mood!

[xtyxssf]

Christina you always know what I need to hear right when I need to hear it haha thank you for this video🥰

[UlrikaMalmgren]

This was the video I needed! I've been trying to cut down on social media and found myself shopping online instead. I suddenly noticed that I'm feeling productive when I shop because all of the things will be "useful".

This video was inspirational to break that habit!

[inactive]

Christina, I adore your honesty! It's incredibly refreshing! Also, your comment section feels like there is such a sense of community, everyone is sweet and supportive 🥰 🥰 🥰

[olejarovav]

i browse pre-loved sites. i have several items i want to get and check these sites regularly. there so many items in varying conditions that i have to look through and technically i am shopping. i just usually don't find anything worth my money. also, i find it really helps me find what i really love and separate that from what i just kinda like.

[river]

Love this topic! Online shopping/browsing became a compulsion for me during the pandemic, but I'm happy to say that I'm a bit better at handling it this year. Cooking and journaling really help, they feel like creative outlets that break up the monotony that makes me itch for pretty new things

[Iris-gymi]

Instead of shopping, I:
1. Take care of my plants 😂
2. Bake 🥧
3. Cook
4. Hike
5. Clean and/or organize
6. Check on my bucket list and see how that's coming along (I make one each year)
6. Plan my family vacations
7. Watch YouTube ( YouTube has changed my life in so many ways, and a lot of the videos I watch provide inspiration, I really don't do any type of other social media except this)

[jenzie]

Thank you Christina, this video came at a good time. I've realized in the last year I'm in a stage in my minimalism where I genuinely do not feel as much pleasure shopping, spending money and bringing new stuff into my home- BUT it doesn't feel good, it feels empty. Since I was a kid, shopping is what my family did for fun on the weekend. We were very poor but if my dad had some cash we would get something. So I've always associated shopping with positive emotional health. I know, so complicated. However, I definitely need alternatives to shopping to lift my spirits, so thank you!

[JournalingWithNadia]

I love this so much, something that really helped me was to focus more on creating than consuming. For me, this was going back to drawing and learning digital art when I have free time rather than going shopping.