Self Care During a No Buy Year

When people hear the words “No Buy Year,” their minds usually jump straight to financial discipline: budgeting, the strict shopping ban. But as I’m navigating my own no buy journey, I’ve discovered a plot twist – the hardest part isn’t saying no to the impulse buys; it’s unlearning the habit of using shopping as a form of self care.

When your reward for a stressful day is adding unnecessary things your cart, removing it from your daily life leaves a gap. Been there, done that. So today I share my ways of protecting my peace and wellbeing without spending a single cent.

Swapping “Retail Therapy” for Me-Time

Let’s be honest: scrolling through online stores late at night only masquerades as “relaxing”. It feels productive when we find something we want but it often ends in buyer’s remorse. A lot of people cope with it by returning items, others shove them in the back of their closets… Now when I feel the urge to browse, I treat it as a sign that I am actually just tired, bored or overwhelmed. Instead of shopping, I carve out time for true rest: spending time on my balcony with a warm cup of tea, reading a physical book I already own or work on my crochet projects.

This week I started a Tunisian crochet scarf from yarn that I bought years ago – I caught myself thinking that I should get something nicer for upcoming winter, as all my scarves have been to my work and don’t look the best anymore – I have mentioned my struggles with clothing in one of my previous posts. Instead of buying a new one, or even second hand one, I decided to use resources that I already have, save some money and keep my hands busy for hours, while I listen to my favorite podcasts.

Guarding My Boundaries

During a no-buy year, you quickly realize that your time and energy are finite resources, just like money. True self-care isn’t just about face masks and bubble baths – it’s about learning to protect your peace. I make time for self-care by treating my downtime as a non-negotiable. If I say “no” to an optional social obligation because I need a quiet evening at home, I don’t feel guilty about it. Of course some of my friends complain that I don’t go out or do fun things but preserving my mental bandwidth is the ultimate luxury. Sometimes I just cannot. Being able to recognize that and act on it is important.

Finding Joy in What I Already Own

Consumer culture tells us that self care comes in a package: a new bath bomb, a trendy planner or an expensive workout set. A No Buy Year strips away that illusion.

Instead of acquiring new things to feel good, I’ve learned to actually use items I already have.

My skincare routine consists of using every last drop of the products hiding at the back of my drawer. No need for new ones. I have accumulated so many beauty products over the years and none of them were a miracle that they promised to be. During my No Buy Year I want to significantly downsize my stash and ideally end up with one of each – a moisturizer, body lotion, make up remover. Keep it simple.

I’m not 15-step-beauty-routine girl and I cannot buy like one.

Reading books that I have accumulated and releasing them back to the world – having a home library is not my goal. Small bookshelf maybe. But I never really go back to read a book that I have already read. All they do is collect dust, after I put them back on the shelf. That’s why I list them on Vinted almost immediately after reading.

Brewing coffee at home using my favorite mug. It tastes way better than any coffee I’ve ever bought.

Taking care of yourself shouldn’t require tapping to pay. This year has taught me that real self-care is quiet, intentional and entirely free. It’s about listening to what my mind and body actually need – it could be a long walk or simply permission to do nothing at all.

How do you carve out space for self-care in your daily routine, especially when life gets busy? Let me know in the comments below!