—By Yunwen Chou
About Mindful Buy Journey
Welcome to Mindful Buy Journey — a space where I document my personal challenge to reduce impulse buying and build healthier, more intentional spending habits.
This blog follows my commitment to a simple rule:
I wait 48 hours before purchasing any non-essential item.
Whenever I feel the urge to buy something—clothes, accessories, or anything that catches my eye—I write it down instead of buying it immediately. After two days, I revisit the item and reflect on whether it aligns with my long-term financial goals, personal values, and real needs.
Through this journey, I hope to:
- Avoid unnecessary spending
- Understand my buying triggers
- Cultivate a mindful, meaningful relationship with consumption
This blog is not just a record of my challenge—it’s a space for honest reflections, small victories, and the ongoing process of learning how to buy less but live more.
If you’re also trying to slow down your spending or rethink your shopping habits, I hope my journey inspires you too.
🌿October 16-31
17/10 : Mac Foundation (€28.95)
🟢 Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
My foundation from home doesn’t suit Belgium’s climate; I need something more hydrating.
⏰ After 48 Hours
I need it, and the product is on sale. I decided to buy it.
19/10: Starbucks City Mug (€23.5)
🟢 Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
This cup is beautiful and has sentimental value.
⏰ After 48 Hours
As an exchange student here, the city mug has sentimental value. I decided to buy it.
19/10: JellyCat Hanger (€27)
🔴 Not Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
I saw it while shopping and thought the bread plush was adorable.
⏰ After 48 Hours
€27 is too expensive for a plush hanger. I’d rather spend that money elsewhere. Not buying.
24/10: HOBO Tote bag (€77.97)
🔴 Not Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
I needed a medium-sized shoulder bag and I liked the design.
⏰ After 48 Hours
The material isn’t waterproof and gets dirty easily. Not practical. Not buying.
28/10: LongChamp Bag (€49.95)
🟢 Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
I needed a medium-sized shoulder bag.
⏰ After 48 Hours
Affordable and practical. I decided to buy it.
30/10: Wool Coat (€149.95)
🔴 Not Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
My friend bought one and looked great in it, which made me want the same style.
⏰ After 48 Hours
Since I’m petite, shorter coats still suit me better. Not buying.
🌿November 1-28
5/11: Sennelier Oil Pastel (€52.5)
🔴 Not Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
I saw artists using them online and wanted to try them myself.
⏰ After 48 Hours
They take up luggage space, and I won’t have much time to paint here. I’ll buy them after returning home.
8/11: Harry Potter LEGO (€46.94)
🔴 Not Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
I saw it while shopping; my hometown LEGO store doesn’t have this set.
⏰ After 48 Hours
Too bulky to bring home in my luggage. Not buying.
20/11: BARTS Gloves (€20.55)
🟢 Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
They have touchscreen-friendly fingertips.
⏰ After 48 Hours
Very useful for navigating Google Maps outdoors in cold weather. I decided to buy them.
20/11: Buff Knitted Beanie (€31.95)
🟢 Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
It looks nice and has extra thermal lining.
⏰ After 48 Hours
My current beanie isn’t warm enough for winter, so getting another one is necessary. I decided to buy it.
22/11: Columbia Ski Pant (€49.00)
🟢 Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
My friends and I are going to Iceland in December, they asked if we wanted to buy ski pants together.
⏰ After 48 Hours
Necessary for the trip. I decided to buy them.
23/11 Skibartlett Ski Pant (€93.00)
🔴 Not Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
Worried that one pair wouldn’t be enough, and I preferred the black design.
⏰ After 48 Hours
They take up luggage space and won’t be useful back in Taiwan. Not worth buying.
25/11: Red Sweater (€24.50)
🟢 Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
My friend and I planned to wear red outfits to visit the Christmas market.
⏰ After 48 Hours
This shade of red actually suits me well, and the Black Friday discount makes it a good deal. I decided to buy it.
26/11: NARS pressed powder (€37.23)
🟢 Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
Pressed powder is more convenient to carry than loose powder, making it suitable for travel.
⏰ After 48 Hours
I need it, and the Black Friday discount makes it a good deal. I decided to buy it.
26/11: CLINIQUE Facial Lotion (€31.50)
🟢 Bought
🔥 Purchase Motivation
The weather is getting drier, I need a more moisturizing lotion.
⏰ After 48 Hours
I need it, and the Black Friday discount makes it a good deal. I decided to buy it.
My Reflections After the Challenge
During this 48-hour cooling-off period, I faced several clear challenges. First, the impulse to buy things right away was very strong. Whenever I saw something I liked in a store or online, I often thought, “I’ll regret it if I don’t buy it now.” My emotions and the environment made it hard for me to stay calm and make a clear decision. Second, waiting the full 48 hours sometimes felt painful, especially when an item seemed practical or met one of my needs. At those moments, it was easy to break the rule and buy it immediately.
Although it was difficult to follow, writing down the reasons why I wanted to buy something turned out to be a very effective way to develop more rational spending habits. By putting my reasons on paper and taking time to think them through, I could see more clearly whether I truly needed the item or was simply influenced by the atmosphere or by other people.
This challenge is really about understanding your own motivations for spending. When you give yourself a bit more time to think, you will realize that there are not many things that are truly worth buying, and your spending will become more focused and meaningful. I also recommend this method to anyone who struggles with impulse buying but wants to make a change.
Mindful Buy Journey 