Just some casual Prime Day counterprogramming...
Billionaires should not exist.
No, you are not a bad person if you order something from Amazon this week.
While it’s easy peasy for some people to skip Prime Day, there are many reasons why completely opting out is just not an option for others.
These systems aren’t set up for us to easily live our values. In fact, the odds are stacked against us, as big companies make it really difficult for thoughtful, ethical businesses to grow and thrive (or exist at all).
So if you can’t skip completely…that’s okay! Do your best by cutting back to just the necessities. I often worry that the pressure for “purity” that we feel on social media actually ends up discouraging us...and ultimately, disconnecting us from working for a better future.
Reducing your spending has major impact, too, because companies like Amazon only thrive when we are all buying a ton of stuff we don’t really need. I promise if a huge group of people is spending 20-30% less with these companies…that DOES make a major impact, too.
If you’re thinking about making a Prime Day purchase this week, ask yourself:
Will I really wear/use this regularly for a long time?
If it’s a gift for someone else: does the recipient want/need this? Or is it an impulse purchase?
Would I buy this at full price or am I just excited about the discount?
Am I shopping because I feel lonely/bored/sad?
Take your time!
Give yourself some time to think about each purchase. Maybe even make yourself wait 24-48 hours to check out!
If it sells out? So what! Other sales will cross your path. Sale marketing is designed to give you an artificial sense of urgency.
Maybe today is the day that Amazon inspires you try something new! For example, Dustin and I are looking for new computer monitors this week. And yeah, Amazon has some deals on them, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up buying one secondhand/refurbished from Back Market.
P.S. Just a reminder that Clotheshorse is coming to the West Coast in October, and I'm doing two live shows:
🐴 Thursday, October 23, Seattle WA at Here-After
🐴 Sunday, October 26, Portland, OR at Holocene
Tickets are on sale and a limited number are available, so get them now!
Both venues have told me that tickets are selling very fast and will most likely sell out as we get closer to the day of the show, so don’t procrastinate!
I think the only sale I stalked was Madewell, because I wanted/needed/had to have that large Transporter Tote. That was my *it* bag. THE purse. Waited a year for that sale. Got my initials monogrammed on it. I love that effing bag. And that was 6 years ago. Longer? Maybe. No desire for another purse. I use a $40 backpack in rainy weather (I love that tote so much, it will never see a raindrop, even though I've treated it to make it water-resistant, LOL). We get to have nice things. We get to want stuff. But what to we actually need? That's the question I ask myself. Do I need it, or just want it? Can that want be filled by something else, or is it a desire to enjoy/appreciate something long-term? And the answer can come after you make the purchase, and suddenly want something else/more. That's when inner work might serve us better than reaching for something else, even if it's on sale. xo