28 Comments
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Alyson's avatar

Brilliant and useful post (not just ‘have a bubble bath with candles instead’ type of rubbish advice 😆

The VIBE of an outfit photo is definitely the reason I get the itch to shop - also see: fantasy self

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Alison Brimley's avatar

yes!! that was a major goal of mine, so glad you found something useful here. thank you thank you for reading <3

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

I love this!! but I also want like three new things now, like your plasticana clogs 🥲

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Alison Brimley's avatar

hahaha oops, sorry to be influencing you in the midst of trying to deinfluence. But I have to say I do love my lil clogs

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Lucy McClune's avatar

Is the ‘didn’t buy’ TikTok girl Devonrule? Think she also co founded Indyx

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Alison Brimley's avatar

yes that sounds right, and omg I did not know that! everything is coming together

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Sigrid Djernæs's avatar

Saving this to revisit when I feel the urge to shop. Planning my outfits for a month is always great - as you write - it truly makes you realise that you can only wear your favourites a few times!

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Alison Brimley's avatar

I need to plan to revisit it regularly too--let's hope it works for both of us :)

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Emily's avatar

This is super helpful! Any tips for the FOMO that comes from pieces selling out/becoming unavailable? Not just in fast fashion, also collections rooted in a given season. This is always my downfall.

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Alison Brimley's avatar

Great question--I can't say I'm extremely good at this, but one mantra that helps me: If it's meant to be yours, you will find it secondhand somewhere. And if it's not meant to be, I sometimes feel this weird relief that it's no longer available? Like now I don't have to think about it anymore; I can move on from the debate over whether I need it or not.

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audrey christensen's avatar

love this! is your Indyx public? would love to follow it (obsessed with some of the pants in this post)

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Alison Brimley's avatar

ah I'm flattered! I believe I just made it public--try https://opencloset.myindyx.com/user/alisonmaeser

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RMG's avatar

I’m trying something similar this year (though i haven’t pinned down the exact details yet, but definitely just way less shopping) and this ABSOLUTELY DOES HELP. I’m also breastfeeding and i love indyx - you inspired me to take better photos of my things for my indyx outfits to really dazzle ✨.

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Shannon Robinson's avatar

Great post! I’m retrying to model better behavior to my daughters this year, showing that life needn’t revolve around shopping while still being fashionable and creative. Lots of great ideas! 💡

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Alison Brimley's avatar

yes! modeling for kids is always a great incentive for improving one's life. good luck to you!

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Sarah Highet's avatar

I'm also embarking on a 2025 very-low-buy! Look forward to following along — these are great tips.

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Valerie Woerner's avatar

This was a truly helpful and inspired list!

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Katie Warren's avatar

Love this list! Thanks for compiling a meaningful and interesting alternative to unnecessary shopping. This post helps calm my eco-anxiety by thinking about a movement in this "buy less" direction.

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Andrew Carr's avatar

LOVE THIS!!! Thanks Alison!

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Hero Moller's avatar

Great list. The breastfeeding scrolling is REAL 🫣

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Alison Brimley's avatar

oof I can't even look at my daily screentime, it's humiliating

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Shaun Chavis's avatar

Brillz - I love coolors and never thought to use it for outfits!

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So's avatar

I always say going to the library helps curb my need to shop! Nice to see someone else feels the same

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Amanda's avatar

The app ‘Carted’ is also great as a Wishlist. I’ve started using it and it’s so interesting how just simply placing a wanted item in a list is satisfying!

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