Consumption Diary #1
A key part of this challenge is to record a weekly consumption diary. This will both hold me accountable to readers of this blog, and will allow me to think about my consumption habits.
As a reminder:
Exempt items are those classes of goods that I am allowed to purchase new, such as food and cleaning supplies.
Watched items are items that I am allowed to purchase, but that I would like to cut back on. Examples include travel and certain productivity softwares. I will also always include a justification for these items.
Restricted items are items I am not allowed to buy new.
Finally, I will also record the goods I have sold or donated.
Physical EXEMPT Items Purchased
$2, Coke Zero from Gas Station.
$1, Sesame Ball from Sweet Asian Bakery
$4, Quick Oats
$2, Coke Zero from Gas Station.
$2, Red Bean Wafer from Sweet Asian Bakery
$30, Groceries, mostly packing tape.
$480, Shipping fees for my big move.
$4, Jasmine Green Tea from Zuzu’s.
$2, Coke Zero from Gas Station.
$2, Mazapan from Gas Station.
$15, a Peanut Butter and Chocolate Smoothie
Digital EXEMPT Items Purchased
Physical WATCHED Items Purchased
Digital WATCHED Items Purchased
RESTRICTED Items Purchased
$12, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. This is the final video game I will purchase prior to beginning this challenge. As it is made by Studio Ghibli, and was deeply discounted, it was too cute to pass up on.
Items Sold or Donated.
Bed Frame.
Marcy Exercise Bike.
Pusheen Plushies
My Bed Stand
FINAL THOUGHTS.
Every day, I try to go on a walk. It’s on my official to do list. Recently though, it has been cold, and walking to the gas station for a treat is one of the few things that gets me outside. Obviously, using a bottle of coke as a reward to experience the great outdoors does play into consumerist vices some. I’m definitely going to try to kick this habit when I have moved back to California.
Purchasing Ni No Kuni happened right before the challenge began, and again, the mere purchase of a video game gave me such joy, not to mention the fact that buying a game online can take less than a minute. It’s a perfect example of a needless consumerist indulgence: I already have a back log of ten or so games, more than enough to last my year of Nothing New. I may not even play it until the year is over. But, just the thrill of clicking buy gave me a little jolt.
It’s hard moving in a pandemic, particularly when you’re committed to reducing waste. There are a number of products that I no longer need, such as old shirts, shoes I don’t use, that are in good condition. But since Goodwill is closed for donation, I won’t be able to simply dump them somewhere. A lot of these items will end up in a landfill, which personally discourages me. They deserve better, and so does the planet.