How to shop more consciously and reduce impulsive buying

Who hasn’t been tempted by the excitement of a new purchase? A challenging day rolls by, and you think, "A new sweater would surely lift my spirits!" Does that sound familiar? It certainly does to me. Over the past 3 years, I’ve been using a few tricks to help reduce my impulsive shopping habits, and today I’d like to share these insights with you because they’ve shown great results.

First, What is impulsive buying?

Impulsive buying refers to the act of purchasing something on the spot, without considering whether the item is necessary or if you can afford it. Impulse purchases are often driven by feelings such as excitement, stress, or even boredom. The thrill of something new, the temptation of a good deal, or the emotional satisfaction of buying can all trigger these impulses.

Unlike conscious purchases, impulsive buying often ends with regret. However, impulsive shopping doesn’t necessarily mean you have a shopping problem—it simply means that, in the moment, the urge to buy is greater than rational decision-making.

How did I reduce my impulsive buying?

1. Pause and reflect

When you're at the store and you find something you like, and feel an immediate urge to take it home with you, pause for a moment, take a deep breath and count to ten.

A powerful technique I use is to take a photo of the item from various angles (or try it on in the fitting room and snap a few shots). Then, leave the store and head home. Take time to reflect—ask yourself if you really need this item. When you return home, take a look at your closet. Do you already own something similar?

Here’s the key: wait for 10 days. After this time, revisit the photo. If you still feel the urge to buy the product, go back to the store and make your purchase. This ensures that you're making a conscious decision, as the adrenaline rush from when you first saw the product will likely have subsided.

For online shopping: The same principle applies. Pause and count to ten. Place the product in your wishlist or shopping cart, but don’t proceed to checkout. Close the browser window and come back to it after ten days. If the desire to purchase it still persists, go ahead and make the purshase.  

2. Create a list

This will serve as your guide to the things you really want and need. Edit this list often, as your needs and desires can change from week to week.

Make the list on your phone, laptop, or on paper, and write down what’s missing in your closet or home—things you truly need. Start with the essentials for ex: a black jeans, a white shirt, converse shoes, etc.

A Useful Tip: When you're getting dressed to go out, take a moment to assess your outfits. Do you find yourself wishing for a particular item to complete a look? For example, if you’re thinking, "I wish I had a black bag to match this outfit," take note of how often you have this thought. If it happens more than five times, consider adding it to your list.

Personally, I keep the list on my phone so I can access it whenever I'm out, reducing the temptation to make unplanned purchases. Keep your list somewhere accessible. Now, when you enter a physical store or browse an online store, refer to your list first. This will help guide you and prevent random purchases in a store or aimlessly scrolling through an online store and shopping for items that are not on your list.

3. If it can't be returned, don’t buy it

We are all human, and we’re not perfect. There may be days when you feel down and just want to buy something to feel better. If that happens, it's okay. But, make sure that any item you buy has the option to be returned.

This is important because sometimes we can’t fully judge a product after just one look. We may need a second perspective or simply need to sleep on it and reconsider our decision the next day.

So, in case you impulsively bought something and later realized that you don’t need it, you'll have the option to return it. Make sure you know the store’s return policy before making any purchase.

4. Unfollow influencers on social media 

Social media can be a major source of temptation. If certain influencers or accounts make you feel the constant urge to shop, consider unfollowing them or muting their posts. You can also customize your feed so you’re not constantly exposed to ads and trends.

I always try to consciously manage my social media consumption. I might like an influencer's content and what they post, but I won’t follow them if they are constantly promoting products. Instead, I consciously check their account from time to time and engage with posts I like, without having to be exposed to their ads every time I check my feed. This gives me the chance to be more mindful of my consumption and to choose when I am being exposed to ads.

Finally, I would like to share that becoming more sustainable is a journey, and it’s important to remember that it's not a matter of perfection. We’re all human, and there will be times when we slip into old habits or make impulse purchases. What matters most is the conscious effort to become more mindful of our consumption. By taking small, intentional steps to evaluate our choices, we can start living more purposefully and align our actions with our values. It’s not about being perfect—it's about progress, and every mindful decision is a step toward a more intentional and fulfilling life.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and that it helped you in some way. I’m always happy to receive feedback and suggestions, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.