, 15 tweets, 19 min read
My Authors
Read all threads
#NewYearChallenge I am on the last day on not-buying-anything-I-don't-need-year and thought I'd share in case it inspires you to do the same

Two weeks before Christmas last year I watched a #DavidAttenborough show, #BluePlanet and it inspired me to take massive action

#Thread
I watched the plastic floating in the oceans and wondered, with shame, how much was mine :/

I decided to do a year of not consuming.

My only rule was "not to buy anything I didn't need". This meant I could buy food, drink and basic toiletries etc.
(I included mascara and moisturiser on my basic lists, I'm not a monster).

I didn't buy; clothes, shoes, presents, other makeup, hair products, jewellery, bags, decorations, anything disposable, plants, flowers, house items etc.
Actually thinking about it, I think it was my desire for a £40 cushion that pushed my guilt over the edge last December.

Nobody needs a £40 cushion, however pretty it is, particularly when they already have 7 cushions on their sofa.

So I decided to level up my challenge...
The money I saved from not-consuming, I would give to charity.

I picked a number of charities (about 20, here are some of them) @charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas well as a number of grassroots organisations.

The total money I donated during the year was
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas *drum roll*

£1,621.69.

I'm pretty chuffed adding that all up I have to say!!

A year of not consuming and doing good with the money at the same time; I reckon @GretaThunberg would be pleased ;0)
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas @GretaThunberg Some FAQ's:

Did you really not buy anything?

I bought 12 things during the year, for example, a new jacket when my zip broke at -15 up a mountain, brr, a couple of essential things for my very elderly cats and a couple of essential house items. Each one made me really annoyed!
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas @GretaThunberg What about birthdays/Christmas etc:

I explained to friends and family what I was doing and was very well supported.

I made presents during this year (jam, cakes, vintage sheet music Xmas decorations) and I sewed and embroidered important wedding presents etc.

All were loved!
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas @GretaThunberg What did you miss:

The thing I missed the most was buying plants and flowers, I love nature and found that hard. Solutions were growing flowers from seed (harder than it sounds but I tried!) and getting cuttings from friends (lovely thing to do). I now have rhubarb growing!!
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas @GretaThunberg What will you buy first:

SOCKS!!!!! I am so desperate for socks, and tights and pajamas....!!! I did this challenge on a bit of a whim, so no pre-sock planning.

According to my list, I also want to buy a Chilli water bottle, plants, nice tea-towels and a tea strainer. Exciting
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas @GretaThunberg How easy was it:

January to August was surprisingly easy (other than missing flowers/plants) but it got WAY hard from August, as clothes started running out and however much I darned my socks they just stayed holey.

It got easier in December as I could start counting down.
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas @GretaThunberg Will it change the way you shop:

Yes. Undoubtedly.

We need way less than we think.

Buy less but better quality.

Don't buy disposable fashion.

Support eco-designers (anyone want to recommend any to me?) #EcoFashion #EcoDesigners
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas @GretaThunberg Should I give it a go?

Yes! try it! Try it for a month, try it for a year, give it a go!

Do it with friends, do clothes swaps, join @BuyNothing groups, I have a friend who is doing it but is allowing herself a 40th birthday dress during the year.
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas @GretaThunberg @BuyNothing If you have any questions, feel free to ask, I'm not an expert but I am a citizen of the world who decided to do something about the state of our planet.

You have the power to do the same, do it, I believe in you!

#ClimateEmergency #ClimateChange #ClimateActionNow #Plastic
@charitywater @crisis_uk @amnesty @WoodlandTrust @kivaas @GretaThunberg @BuyNothing P.S. This year I'm hoping to get an electric car, any advice gratefully received!

Happy New Year xxx

#HappyNewYear #NewYearResolutions #ChooseLove
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh.

Enjoying this thread?

Keep Current with Becky Dell

Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just three indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!