The last few weeks were definitely not good for blogging — I’m sorry. I had a lot going on and time was flying by. Besides, I felt sick, spending my spare time napping and reading instead of doing something productive because I felt exhausted a lot.
But hey, it’s nearly mid-October and I’m finally coming around to write about my Low Buy September. A month that was rather low-key thanks to being packed with things I had to get done instead of items I may have wanted to get. I stuck to my plan most of the time, had two dinner dates, and two takeouts, did not overly bend my book budget, and spent little money overall.
Minor challenges
But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. After ignoring some of my Low Buy rules in late July/early August thanks to some extra money, I realized I got careless all around. It’s pretty easy to fall back into my old ways of wasting time and money on stuff, imagining it would improve my mood, my life, and my state of mind. Been there, done that. I don’t want to get back to that point, but damn it, it’s sooooo easy, and it happens really fast.
I’m not that much into social media but I’m on IG and I absolutely love Pinterest (which isn’t social media, I know). Obviously, that’s enough to fall victim to influencer/marketing now and then. Thus, I saw a really cute bag on Pinterest that I absolutely fell in love with and WANTED TO HAVE. Since the company is US-based and doesn’t ship to Europe, I couldn’t get the one I saw initially but found something similar that would ship to Europe. I came close to ordering it. Like, REALLY close. Even though it was Low Buy September.
DIY? Why not?
But I didn’t. I stayed strong. I resisted the urge to follow my wants and stuck to my plan. Not the least, because Wonderguy made it clear that he thought I would let myself down if I gave in again that easily. All because I saw something I liked — exactly like it had been last year before I started my Low Buy Year. I didn’t want to come full circle.
So I couldn’t and didn’t want to order the bag. But I somehow circumvented my rules by making one myself. Which I did.
Let me present to you my interpretation of the Madewell Transport Tote Small:
It’s larger than the original, and I changed some other things but by and large, I stuck to the original and I’m actually really proud I made a bag myself. I hadn’t had a chance to use it a lot since the weather wasn’t that great the last two weeks. Depending on my schedule, I also need a larger bag (or rather a backpack) for work. That said, I love it.
But I still bought something noteworthy this month, again.
Let’s stay warm, shall we?
At the end of September, I went shopping with a close friend of mine who wanted to get some new items before starting her new job in October. I made a to-do list, took care that she wouldn’t forget anything she wanted to get done that day, and got a few practical items I needed, anyway. Of course, I saw several things I really like, but I always knew I already got something similar at home and wouldn’t NEED it.
And then we went looking for a winter coat. My friend found a great padded coat with a sustainable filling instead of downs. It’s long, it’s warm, and I can also wear it on a bicycle (I always cycle to work unless it’s snowing heavily). I have never owned a coat like that. Mainly because I don’t like that style — I think padded coats look like sleeping bags — but also because I never wanted something filled with downs.
Long story short, my friend and I now own the same coat. For the first time in my life — and I’m in my thirties, so I’ve been around for some time — I own a really, really warm winter coat. And though I still think I look ridiculous, I don’t care because it feels so warm and comfy.*
What’s up next?
Low Buy September is over and now we’re heading into October! I love fall! My birthday is coming up, so I’m happy and sad at the same time (I’m old enough to be a bit melancholic around my birthday). But that’s okay 🙂
We’ve planned a day trip to another city in late October to visit a friend and do some birthday shopping. This is the one other cheat day I allow myself this year: if I find something from my wish list, I’m allowed to buy it.
Apart from that, there should be nothing much to worry about. I got a lot of work to do regarding my thesis and (regular) work is crazy right now because we’re short-staffed. Therefore, I feel the urge to drown my frustrations in useless purchases, but I’ll resist — even though it can be tricky.
Everything is still crazy all around us, and our first pandemic winter is just around the corner. So stay safe, take care, and thanks for stopping by! 🙂
*Edit: I returned the coat a few weeks later because, in the end, I simply don’t like padded coats. I hadn’t worn it more than once. Another lesson learned, I guess.