Pausing before pressing "place my order"

Questions I’m asking myself in preparation for holiday sales

This time of year it’s impossible to open social media without being told all the things I need or might want to buy for myself or the people in my life. I prefer personal endorsements over random advertisements. However, without realizing it, this flood of content fuels a thought life preoccupied with material possessions and overconsumption. It’s tempting to spend money without conscious consideration for the impact of my purchases. This shopping season, I’m committed to pausing before placing my orders to consider a few questions:

1. Do I or the receiver of this gift actually need or really want this item?

   So much of what is produced today is designed to be cheap, replaceable, and disposable rather than durable. The quality of products has decreased over time while the desire for the next new thing continues to rise. The self storage industry has emerged to house all of our extra belongings and risen to become worth 24 billion dollars. When we own more than we need, why do we continue to buy more?

   If it’s something I want on impulse, I’m choosing to wait a few days before purchasing and during the wait time ask myself why I want the item. Most of the time, by the end of the few days I don’t end up buying it. If I only need it for a short period of time, I look to borrow from a friend.

2. Could I purchase this in a more ethical or sustainable way?

   I remember sitting in an auditorium seat my freshman year of design school hearing about how seamstresses working in the garment industry work in unsafe working environments without making a living wage. Since 2000 there has been a doubling of production of clothing with a 40% decline in utilization of those clothes. My professor showed us images of discarded clothing that ended up in low-income countries, where lack of waste management infrastructure leads to dumping, burning, and severe environmental and social consequences. When my highest priority is a low price tag and my own convenience, I reinforce a cycle that relies on the exploitation of laborers, most of whom are women. When my highest priority is being on trend, I fail to consider the full life cycle and environmental impact of the products I buy.

   If possible I’m looking to purchase secondhand. When I buy new, I look to buy a higher quality item that will last longer, purchase from a company that is transparent about their supply chain, or support a local company in the community.

3. Am I subconsciously seeking to receive the dopamine hit that comes through consumption?

   When we anticipate purchasing something, add it to our cart, and then order it and await the arrival of our purchase, dopamine is released. Instead of subconsciously seeking the dopamine hit that comes from consumption, when I’m bored, tired, or hungry I’m going to look to go outside, call a friend, read a book, or do something creative.

4. Did I plan on buying this item?

   The holidays are expensive, full stop. Taking advantage of sales is helpful for my family. It’s worth noting, however, that when massive sales happen, it’s easy to experience fear of missing out on the opportunity if I don’t act right away. Here’s the thing - sales are cyclical. There will be more sales. Spending money on something I or the receiver doesn’t actually need or really want just so I buy it while it’s on sale doesn’t save me any money. Instead, I’m making a list now of the things I plan to buy during Black Friday Sales. That way, when the weekend rolls around, I’ll buy the items I planned on instead of being influenced by what other people are buying or the sales themselves.

5. As a Christian, I’m asking God - does this purchase honor you and love others?

   When I remember that all that I have comes from God and I am a steward of the resources he has given me, I can ask - how would you have me use this money? To support companies with ethical labor practices, small businesses in my community, or non-profits whose missions I align with? To purchase less in an exercise of contentment? To find my joy in Christ rather than what I own? Ultimately to exercise wisdom in my spending habits.

So as Black Friday rolls around the corner and I prepare to purchase some items our family needs as well as give gifts to the people I love, I’m using these questions as a form of reflection instead of being swayed by the onslaught of recommendations, advertisements, and sales to come. I’m looking to buy less, with more intention, in an effort to use my resources in ways that matter - and I’d love it if you’d join me.