How to Make a Mindful Purchase: 5 Tips for Every Conscious Consumer
Are you a conscious consumer? Try these simple ways to make mindful purchases that align with your values.
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
Want to hear the good news? Each year, consumers are becoming more conscious of their purchasing decisions. Seriously, 62% of consumers globally are willing to change their purchasing habits to reduce their environmental impact.
To celebrate conscious consumers this holiday season, we’ve put together five tips that everyone can incorporate into a mindful shopping routine. From researching brands to sleeping on decisions, these tips will empower you to make informed choices that align with your values.
If you're a conscious consumer (or aspiring to be one!), keep reading. These practical tips will help you navigate a world of shiny new things, with mindfulness, intention, and purpose. Let's get started!
Contents
- What is conscious consumerism?
- 5 tips for conscious consumers
- Ask ‘why before you buy
- Slow down. Sleep on it.
- Be picky about quality
- Consider the lifespan of products
- Do your research
- Final thoughts: how to make a mindful purchase
What is conscious consumerism?
Conscious consumerism is a movement that encourages individuals to make purchasing decisions that consider the social, environmental, and economic impacts of their choices.
Essentially, it’s about using your purchasing power for good.
The opposite of an impulse spending splurge, conscious consumers make purchases that reflect their values and have a positive impact on the world. This connects to the common practice of mindfulness, being intentionally aware and engaged to what’s happening within yourself, and your surroundings.
Journal prompt for mindful purchases:
The way I spend my money makes an impact; what impact do I want to have?
This mindset shift encourages you to be conscious of what impact you want to have on the world, what material things you truly need, and how your actions affect the environment, people, and the economy.
It’s no wonder conscious consumerism is on the rise in the US!
- 75% of US consumers care about products’ environmental impacts.
- In recent years, 85% of consumers have become “greener” in their purchasing habits.
- 79% of consumers are changing their purchasing habits to reflect their sense of social responsibility.
Source: Onlinedasher.com
Are you a conscious consumer? Or are you aspiring to be? Here are some tips for making more eco-conscious purchases.
5 tips for conscious consumers
Take a pause before you purchase and consider these 5 steps to make an eco-conscious decision.
1. Ask ‘why’ before you buy
Before you buy something, ask yourself why you want or need the product, and why this brand is the best one to buy it from.
- Is it something that will truly enhance your life? or the result of impulse buying/ ‘retail therapy’?
- Is it a trend that’s likely to pass? Or something you’ll love for a long time?
- Does this brand have the same values as you? Are the other ones that are a better fit?
By questioning your motives, you can avoid unnecessary purchases and focus on what truly matters to you (your ‘why!)
‘’As consumers we have so much power to change the world just by being careful with what we buy’’ – Emma Watson
2. Slow down. Sleep on it.
In the wise words of Billy Joel, ‘‘slow down, you’re doing fine’’. To avoid impulse purchases, give yourself space and time before you buy.
If you spot something you think you might need/ want something keep a note of it, but don’t part with your dollars too fast. Sleep on it or give yourself a cooling-off period.
This allows you to consider whether the purchase aligns with your values and whether you truly need or want the product. You might find that after a few days, you’ve lost interest entirely.
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash
3. Be picky about quality
The cliché is true: quality always trumps quantity.
That might mean spending a little more on durable fabrics and well-made products initially,
4. Consider the lifespan of products
When making a purchase, consider if it’s something that will last for a long time, or if will it quickly wear out or become obsolete. Additionally, consider the product's potential for repair. Does the brand offer replacement parts?
When it comes to clothes, try this ‘cost-per-wear’ calculator. Opting for well-made and timeless pieces is a more mindful (and less stressful) approach to shopping than constantly chasing trends!
By considering the lifespan of a product, you can make conscious choices that prioritize durability, and reduce waste.
Photo by Becca McHaffie on Unsplash
5. Do your research
With so many companies claiming to be sustainable and ethical, as a conscious consumer, it’s crucial to dig deeper to ensure their claims are credible and not simply a greenwashing tactic.
Look for certifications and third-party verifications that confirm a brand's commitment to sustainable and ethical practices – these green terms and definitions might help!
Consider factors such as where the products are made, the process, the treatment of workers, and how they’re packaged and shopped. Most brands will display this information on their websites, and customer reviews can provide valuable insight too.
Final thoughts: how to make a mindful purchase
Next time you find yourself reaching for your wallet, pause for a moment, and ask yourself: "does this align with my values?" Your choices matter, and by slowing down and following these 5 tips, you can make more intentional decisions.
But remember, conscious consumerism is a journey. It's about progress, not perfection.
By implementing these tips into your shopping routine, you can gradually shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle, and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way. Together, we can make a difference, one mindful purchase at a time.
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