Think before you buy

Buy or not to buy? That's a question. The more we think about it, the more we realize that there are many questions to ask.

When it comes to purchasing decisions, we often just go for it without giving it a deeper thought. Just because we love shopping. It's called impulse buying.

I love shopping too. But when my closet started to overflow and I needed to start investing in additional storage to store garments mostly made in unknown places overseas, I started to ask myself this:

Will this next purchase bring value to my life? Is this purchase just one of many things that I already have? Is the quality worth me spending my money on it? Will this purchase contribute to sustainable social and economical development? Am I helping small business to make living or am I helping someone to become wealthy at someone else's expense? Do I know how this article was made? Does the manufacturer of this article support sustainable manufacturing practices? Whom am I supporting by buying this? Is this a large corporation or a woman owned small local business?

It all came down to a single question: Is price really everything that drives me in my buying decisions or are there other more important factors to consider?

The deeper my thought have become, the more I have realized that I need to change my shopping habits to drive my decisions towards something that makes sense to me. I decided to drive my decisions to support movement towards a sustainable future. I am proud that I can say that I now make better decisions. It is a learning process. For me and for others. It doesn't happen overnight. I hope that I can contribute to help others to realize the same. One purchase at a time. One closet purge and donation at a time. Because as a society, we have a long way to go.

Now: What to do with other things that I already have? Should I keep the clothes I already own and enjoy them? Absolutely! One of the thoughts in sustainability is to re-use that you already have. Even if the decision to purchase the particular item could have been better at a time. Our job now is to use and recycle the garments in an effort to keep it from the landfields. And if you don't wear it? Purge and donate. Recycled economy is a way to go wherever possible.

So before you buy your next thing, whatever that may be, first ask yourself:

What is it that is worth spending my hard earned dollar on? And before you press that "buy" button, perhaps try to make the following additional considerations:

Practical: Does this purchase bring value to your life? How the item fits with what you already have in your closet? Is the item flexible enough that you can create countless combinations loving it day in and day out? How will you care about this article? Is it made from natural fibers or combination with natural fibers? Is it washable? Do you already have ten perfect black T-shirts at home and you are buying another one that you don't really need?

Economical and social justice: Does this purchase support local business? Women run small business? Is this item one of a kind, hand-made by a local artist, or a mass product coming from fast producing factories overseas?

Environment: Will this item disintegrate overtime, can it be easily recyclable or will it sit for years in the landfield when you dispose of it one day?

We can't change decisions from the past, but we can control what we will do next. Will you join the movement?