Shopping Ban: Month 3 Update

It has now been 3 months since I started the shopping ban on 1 October 2018.
Parameters of my shopping ban
Month 1 Update
Month 2 Update

December was a weird month. I was overseas for ~2 weeks, in the field for another week, and then it was Christmas week, and also the federal government shutdown started. So quite a lot happened actually. However despite all that I did a really good job with my shopping ban and stayed within the parameters!

Things I purchased in December:
- Basic necessity toiletries - lotion, deodorant, contact solution
- 3 magnets while in London - allowed as travel souvenirs
- 1 book while in London - books when abroad are also allowed, as I like to buy a book from the places I travel. I bought Milkman, which one the 2018 Man Booker prize and it wasn't available at my local library. Also books are far cheaper in the UK than in the US and it was only £9.
- Household items - cleaning spray, toilet paper 
- Gifts for my parents and friends (gifts are also allowed)

So I did good!

My mom's birthday was also in December and I struggled with what to give her as a gift. So I ended up buying her 3 used books, all with thought behind them. I bought her 2 books that I really enjoy and think she would, and 1 that is a genre she likes but a Norwegian author (instead of an American author). So a gift, but also not buying new items since that's not necessary, and also they were bought at my local bookstore so bonus points for shopping locally.

In previous years I had made desktop calendars for family/friends as a gift. It's a relatively easy gift, and I'd use photos I'd taken during the year, which my family enjoyed. But this year it felt wasteful. It felt like burdening someone with something they will have to contend with in a year. Or feel the need to hang onto since it's semi-personal. So instead I opted to not give that gift anymore. I think a few people might have been disappointed but c'est la vie.

My temptations the last month have been items for a cause. I haven't given in but I've definitely been tempted. For example, I love what Nurdle in the Rough is doing! Her jewelry is beautiful, it's made from ocean plastics she collects and repurposes, and the metals are recycled. And I definitely want something by her and to support her on her mission. There are other shops and artists I love but that's one of my favorites.

Perhaps after the 6 months I can modify my rules to include supporting causes. That's something to think about during the rest of the first stage, which concludes in March.

Of the 5 things on my approved shopping list, I have only purchased 1 of them. Or well, from 1 category. I've purchased all but 1 thing I need for the NOLS course but have yet to purchase anything else on my list. Clearly none of these were items I have really needed!

I've also gone through my clothing another time and removed a few more things that I haven't worn since the first major purge. I think this will be a continuous cycle honestly until I'm wearing everything I own regularly. I can only wear and enjoy so much clothing so I'm still paring it all down.

On to 2019! I think this year will be a year of knowledge, and I'm continuing to learn a lot about myself, my habits, and my place in the world through this shopping ban.