i always ask myself before frivolous/spontaneous/treat purchases whether i would choose the item itself or the money in cash if someone walked up to me and offered me both.
this is really helpful to me, and i try to make saving money a competition with myself trying to achieve lots of little goals instead of just thinking "i'm not spending any money ever again" and feeling guilty when i do. because its actually okay to spend some :) you deserve a treat every now and then :)
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Iβve spent years coming to terms with my relationship to shopping and how that impacts my life, my finances, my relationship to self. Iβve done no-spend months and saved up for items, but by far my favorite tactic to curbing my spending is delayed gratification. Anytime I see something I want, I add it to my digital wishlist. The beauty is, the act of putting the item on the list keeps the idea of it alive and satisfies this tiny urge to spend money. Even better, the list acts as a little magic tool of manifestation. I have periodically been gifted things off of my list and regularly find items on the list second hand!
Feb 27, 2025
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I'm still trying to practice what I preach here. Capitalism makes it pretty hard; they want to keep us buying things so instant pleasure and gratification is marketed and thrown at us everywhere, and makes us feel like to be accepted in society, we must always have the latest "thing." But I've started to realize nothing deeply good can come easy, or cheap for that matter. It feels way more satisfying to know I've purchased something of quality, something that means something to me, something that'll last, rather than a cheap fad that'll have to be replaced soon anyway. Not to mention knowing and caring WHERE your money is going (small businesses over large corporations, looking into what the company stands for.) There are so many times I've told myself I can't afford something I really want and am drawn to, when I've realized how much I've spent on stupid little cheap things that don't matter to me. For yourself, for others, for the planet, spend INTENTIONALLY. And if that means you end up owning less, good! And while you're at it, do a bit of Marie Condo-ing (but please, donate what you can for christ's sake.) You might experience a little withdraw with the lack of stuff and lack of spending, but I think overall you'll feel lighter, freer and more satisfied!
Jun 19, 2024
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imo understanding why/how I kept collecting random stuff helped me focus only on what I had; if I wanted to buy smthn but it had NO PRACTICAL USE or smthn I owned ALREADY FULFILLED THE PURPOSE itβs not getting bought π€·ββοΈ
Oct 30, 2024
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my angel friend erin bought me this magnetic dog keychain in japan and its sooooo cute and i love it when it flips inside my bag and peeks out like a real handbag dog ! thank u erin!
Dec 21, 2024
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obviously a classic - and i obviously think "WOW! no wonder this is a classic" every time i read a classic HOWEVER... truly so incredible in its themes and imagery - betrayal, revenge, nature, god, no god, death, love, passion! i reread it for the first time since i was a teenager and i just cannot believe how powerful and disturbing this book is, i can't even imagine how scandalous it would have been.
one thing i love most about wuthering heights is how married human life is with nature and the environment. animals, plants and the moor landscape are intertwined with the two houses and the families. i loved the constant mention of dogs and birds throughout. so incredible and so wild. can't believe she wrote this and died.
Dec 4, 2024
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the in our time podcast discusses heaps of classics with a panel of experts, great way to hear what academics have been thinking about texts and the key themes they draw out. it's really chaotic because they have to get through a lot in a short time and the host (melvyn bragg) is always pressing them to give a straight answer.
the secret life of books podcast is also really good, they discuss the backstory and context of classics and how they contribute the books overall identity, but also its legacy.
i'm sure there's heaps more out there but these two are quite in depth when it comes to easily available literary analysis !
Nov 21, 2024