I meant to post an update for May, I really did. And then June came, and now July. I got so busy living I kept pushing actually writing anything down!

As costs of just about everything have risen and stayed there, I couldn’t have chosen a better time for a No Buy year.

I’m going to be honest and say that I did buy a few things that went against my list. My wife bought me a pair of linen shorts that I absolutely love, and my scarcity mindset kicked in and ended up going back to the store and bought another pair and some linen pants.

And while on vacation this past week, I bought a pair of sandals I’d been debating on buying for about 3 years. That’s delayed gratification, right?

My No Buy rules includes shoes, clothes, furniture and electronics. So of course I felt like I’d done something wrong by breaking my own set of rules. What I’m working towards this year is not simply to avoid buying things or spending money, but to develop a more intentional mindset for my purchases.

The shorts and pants purchase were reactive. The sandals were an intentional purchase.

Buying one thing makes me want to buy another, and another, and before I know it I’ve abandoned any progress. I feel like that’s how my last attempts went- I “failed” and then just gave up.

On vacation, with a limited set of clothes and shoes, I started to think there was something missing. I needed to buy a shirt or pants because (fill in the blank reason). When I got home, unpacked, and saw my closet again, I was right back to the realization that what I had was enough.

Most importantly it reminded me that buying new things isn’t some inherently evil practice. Being more intentional and waiting to buy something feels so much better than an impulsive decision. That’s where I am right now: continuing to be more intentional in my daily life and for my long-term goals.