Thread by @beckylucydell

#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