5 Things I No Longer Buy

In my ongoing attempt to declutter and simplify my life, I’ve come to realise that there are several things I no longer buy. Material consumption is a huge topic and something we all need to address consciously. I’ve never been able to stand messy surfaces or jumbled belongings, and truly believe that owning less leads to a clearer and calmer mind.

This list is a compilation of items that I used to buy regularly but now can’t remember the last time I did. 

Plastic Water Bottles

Not that you need reminding, but plastic water bottles are dreadful for the earth. As they are not biodegradable, it can take up to 1,000 years for every single bottle to decompose, all whilst leaking pollutants into the soil and water.

There is also the not-so-small problem of the plastic leaching into the bottled water. Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a building block in resins and certain types of plastic. In the body, these substances can act like hormones or alter normal hormone function. There is also growing evidence to indicate that BPA causes genetic issues. All in all, you probably want to stop using plastic water bottles pretty soon.

I’ve now switched to glass. I religiously use my Bkr water bottle, which easily pops into my handbag. Also comes with the bonus of looking altogether more stylish than a cheap, plastic water bottle ever could.

Candles

I used to love a good candle, and it’s still personally surprising that they’ve made the list of things I no longer buy. I would frequently buy them; half burn them, and then leave them littered around the house, where they would collect dust—a look which is perhaps not as aesthetic as I had initially hoped.

As you’ll be all too aware, candles are big business, with many recognised brand candles costing upwards of £40. This can seriously rack up over time.

Most importantly, various candles rely on paraffin wax, which is used to spread the scent. Worryingly, this produces toxic carcinogens and releases harmful vapours into the air. If ingested too much, there is a possibility that there is a link to cancer, which is obviously horrifying. A better and safer alternative, and what I now use, is a natural oils diffuser. 

Sale Items

Once upon a time, my wardrobe was besieged with various pieces that I had bought in a sale. As a general rule, they were not high quality and were last-minute purchases on the high street. I never really felt good in these clothing pieces, and sooner rather than later, they would find their way to the charity shop.

Now, I tend to make considered and high-quality clothing purchases, which I only keep if I truly feel great in. Overcoming emotional spending is critical for reducing material consumption. 

Small Decorative Home Pieces

I’m referring to items that serve no real purpose—ornaments, in whatever form they take. Every time you go to dust, you pick up the item and wonder; why did I purchase this piece?

I still keep a small collection of crystals and various items from overseas travel, but nothing else. These days, I never knowingly decide to buy an ornamental object unless it serves a function. When looking at things I no longer buy, this was an obvious choice to include. 

Single-use Plastic Shopping Bags

I remember, at some point years ago, having so many plastic shopping bags that they formed a small mountain. I had to designate entire parts of cupboards for my bag collection.

Instead, I now use reusable foldaway bags. I own several of these cute panda print World Wide Fund for Nature bags, which are made from RPET or recycled plastic water bottles. The material is amazingly soft but resilient, and the bag folds away neatly into a pouch. I can’t recommend them enough.

If you’ve found 5 Things I No Longer Buy interesting, check out How to Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes.