what to do during the economic blackout
from someone who lives this way 365 days a year
Over my nearly two decades in sustainability work, I’ve noticed a shift in the questions I receive from people looking to be better stewards of the planet.
At first, it was “what can I do to be more sustainable?” but over the years, that query has morphed into “what can I buy to be more sustainable?”
And my answer to both has been and always will be the same: buy less stuff, and specifically less new stuff.
It may seem ridiculously simple, but hey, I like my solutions that way - and you as a busy human probably do, too.
In a late-stage capitalistic society (hi, we are here), abstaining from buying new non-essentials is a boss move for saving the planet, as well as your finances and sanity. And when many of us do this, it has the potential to start upending the same system that is dependent upon keeping us stuck in an overconsumption swirl. So, needless to say, though I live by this ethos most of the time, I’m always in favor of good old fashioned economic protest, a la what many will be partaking in on Feb 28th, 2025.
If you’re new to me or my work, I’m a sustainability expert, sure, but I’m also a professor of marketing, author, and someone who’s been screaming about the intersection of production, consumption, and climate change for well, ever (I’m fun at parties). I even created a personal challenge-turned-public-movement called No New Things (that’s coming out in book form April 15 of this year) because I’m so dang passionate about this.
So, if you’re looking for some things you can do to busy yourself during this one-day (or longer if you’re looking to fold this into your lifestyle) financial fast, I’ve got you.
“But I don’t have any time”
I hear you, babes. We’ve been fed a steady diet of marketing that tells us that things are synonymous with convenience, that a gadget or doo-dad will save us time. But, no. Allow me to drop some truth here:
It’s estimated that we waste around 2-6 hours on shopping and stuff upkeep-related activities. Yes, our stuff requires upkeep, maintenance, cleaning, offloading, organizing, returning - and all of that takes precious time.
And hold on to your hats, because we also waste another 55 minutes a day just looking for things.
That’s right. We have so much stuff that we’re looking for particular stuff amidst other stuff to the tune of nearly 18 days a year wasted.
What would you do with 18 extra days in a year?
Think about that for a sec.
I could cite a whole bunch of other consumption-related stats that would shiver your timbers, but for now, let’s just say that doing an economic blackout for even a day is going to show you how much time you’re squandering on shopping that could be reallocated to more fulfilling pursuits.
“Okay, but what do I do instead of buying new stuff?”
Alrighty, let’s get back to what you came for. The following is an eclectic mix of No New Things’ participants’ favorites, as well as my own:
Take inventory and boost the utility of what you already have:
Make a meal with food you’ve got in your pantry and fridge (plenty of apps exist to help you with this). Use the fancy dried shiitakes you’ve been saving in the recesses of the cabinet for a special occasion. Fighting overconsumption is your special occasion.
Take stock of your beauty and grooming products and prioritize the ones that need to get used up first (look up ‘Project Pan’ for more inspo). Chances are, you have enough makeup, lotion, body wash, etc etc to last you quite awhile.
Go thru your wardrobe and determine what items need some TLC and which might be better served being intentionally donated. Make outfits from items you already have (Pinterest is awesome for inspiration). Hold a clothing swap with friends.
Look around your home and see if any of your things could use a spiffing. Defuzz the couch. Tighten the bolts in the creaky kitchen chair. Wash the throw pillow covers. Wrangle and organize your charging cables. Clean behind your fridge (it’s scary back there).
The takeaway? Doing any of these activities boosts the usefulness and longevity of your stuff, and grows your creativity and appreciation for the abundance already present in your life. And gratitude is a powerful antidote to impulsive shopping.
Change up your environment:
Rearrange a space. This can be as humble as the little drawer in your nightstand or as herculean as your whole-ass living room.
Do something different in your daily routine. Take a new route to the train. Browse at your local library. Check out a new workout class or karaoke pub (remember: you can support smaller local businesses during this blackout).
Get organized. Yeah, the stuff you’ve been putting off, the piles of paper or the clutter? Get it handled. It’ll lighten your mood and also make you much more discerning about the new stuff you welcome into your life (which is always a good thing). And if you want to start small, tackle your purse or wallet or glove compartment first.
The takeaway? Changing up your environment or the activities of your day stimulates your brain in the same way as shopping by introducing freshness and novelty.
Cultivate and engage with community.
Join a BuyNothing group on Facebook (or through their app) or similar low- and no-buy communities on NextDoor and other platforms.
Phone a friend. If you need something, or have something to offload, why not open the lines of communication with your pals and networks, and let them know that you’re available for sharing and vice versa.
Join activist groups. If the state of things has driven you to consider this blackout in the first place, chances are you’ll benefit from an outlet that will also give you solidarity and purpose. And those organizations could really use your light and support.
Find your volunteer niche. It’s literally proven by science that we feel better when doing good for others. We feel effective, purposeful, and life has more meaning. So, take this time and those itchy shopping fingers and find volunteer opportunities that align with your gifts and values.
Call or meet your peeps. I know, I know. Calling folks is almost stalker-level creepy in our age of texting, but maybe let’s try it for today. And meeting IRL? Who has time for that? Well, now that you’re not frittering away your time on Target.com, you do, pal. Engage in real conversations with people in your circle. Ask folks how they’re doing. This could prove more meaningful than you’ve imagined given that a lot of us are craving connection, but also feel so stymied and exhausted by the state of things right now.
The takeaway? The only thing more powerful than an individual committed to breaking consumerist conditioning, is a collective of people committed to breaking consumerist conditioning. Like for real, corporate fat cats have sweaty nightmares about that shit. And to that I say: GOOD. And at a time when loneliness has been deemed as unhealthy for us as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, I think it goes without saying that solidarity with like-minded folks is always a good thing.
Build momentum.
Move your body. However you can, however feels good to you. Just get moving. Is it the only antidote to feeling sad or depressed or just meh? Of course not. Will moving your tush make you feel better though? Probably. At the very least, it’ll get you out of your head and into your body for some overthinking and overconsumption relief. Plus, it’s very difficult to hit the ‘Add to Cart’ button when you’re doing burpees.
Get your goals. Unfettered by shopping, now’s a good time to get clearer on your goals, or just the things you’ve been wanting to better prioritize in your life. This doesn’t have to be a Tony Robbins-walking-over-hot-coals-in-the-Westin-parking-lot (did that once)-level pursuit. Rather, check in with yourself and see if you have some leftover time since you’re not shopping, and with that time, could you maybe, start writing a few lines of your novel? Or perhaps you can bust through the procrastination dread on looking at your finances or planning your next career move?
The takeaway? Shopping is often a cheap distraction from the things we could or should be doing that make us feel good in the long run. What has it been distracting you from and how can you reclaim that time and agency?
Relearn how to rest, relax, and recharge.
Read a book. Stare at a bird in a tree. Take a nap. Hanky panky (with yourself or consensually with others ofc). Play a game. Paint. Draw. Meditate. Pray. Dance. Make yourself the most luscious bath of your life. Climb into fresh sheets way earlier than you normally would and watch your favorite show. Give a hug. Give a high five. Sing. Whatever helps you blow off steam that you usually feel guilty about doing because you’ve been fed this myth that if we’re not productive, we’re unworthy, well, do that.
The takeaway? Audre Lorde called self-care a radical act of resistance and, as per usual, she’s damn right. In a capitalistic system, folks are penalized for not being cogs in the machine 24/7. It’s why you feel guilty for taking a nap or having a ‘lazy day.’ Using this time away from consumerism to reconnect with what relaxation is, means, and does for you, doesn’t just fill your cup, it is a big middle finger to the folks who benefit from you (and me and every one else) not having any.
Okay, those are a few of my suggestions. I’d love to hear yours. How are you occupying yourself during the Feb 28th blackout and beyond? Drop them below!
If you dig this kind of content, you’ll probably like my upcoming book, No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity
Hi Ashlee! So glad you're here. I participated in your no new things 4 years back and I had dm-ed you (back when I had instagram) that I adopted our rescue pup Nari using part of the money I saved through that challenge. 😚 always love your no non-sense but so empathetic approach to how you make sustainability known, so I'm thrilled you'll be on substack!
I'm so glad I found you on here, Ashlee!! I was just referencing you on my own post about shopping less today. 👏 This is wonderful!