I think about buying stuff a lot more than I buy it. I think about eating ice cream, chocolate, nuts and pizza a lot more than I eat them. I not able to avoid impulse buying and eating because I have some kind of extraordinary willpower. It’s because I’ve intentionally designed my life to make avoiding these habits routine.
When the idea pops up in my head that “I need” a shirt, a dog leash, a tool or some other item I’ll often immediately jump on Amazon to check out what’s available. At least half of the time, after being inundated with a number of cheaply made, undifferentiated Chinese knock-offs I’ll be so disgusted I no longer want to buy anything.
If, however, I find something appealing, I’ll add it to my wish list.
Then I usually think about what I already own. Do I have something that I could use instead of buying this item. It’s amazing, given how little I own, that many times I already have something I can use. I’ve repurposed unused stainless steel camping bowls into dog dishes. I’ve recycled PVC pipe to fix a sagging gate, create a clothesline prop and as an exercise tool for stretching out my shoulders. The old dog harnesses, collars and leashes in my closet work as well as any new ones I was thinking of buying.
Sometimes I have to go into my closet, garage or storage to inventory what I already have. I have enough shirts, fleece sweaters and shoes to last me a long time. My tools cover me for 99% of my repair needs. I avoid buying anything I’ll only use once.
When I review my wish list, I usually end up deleting most of the items on it.
As for food, it’s easy. I only buy meat, liver, eggs and tea bags. I don’t eat carbs, sugar or dairy anymore.
The last time I had chocolate was, ironically, when I injured my same knee in the same way nearly a year ago. I noted how it gave me a rocking headache, disrupted my sleep and screwed up my digestion for days. Anytime I am tempted to run to the store to buy chocolate, I refer to that log entry.
This way of living has become so ingrained in me that I don’t have to rely on willpower. This is just the way I live now.
If you had told me that when I was younger, I would have you were crazy. After all, I’m not some kind of ascetic who enjoys self-deprivation.
I would have been wrong.
But, I did try the other way first. For years I bought stuff and ate indiscriminately. I did what I wanted when I wanted, as much as possible.
In the moment, it was often pleasurable.
In the long run, it was not.
I like pleasure as much as anyone. I just find it in now in ways other than consumption.