Secondhand Summer: An Update
An update on how I'm attempting to buy secondhand throughout the summer (and beyond) when the temptation of Amazon is *real strong*
Last summer I wrote a post about how I was attempting to only buy secondhand items for the whole summer (May - August). As this summer comes to a close, I’m happy to report that some shopping habits have changed for the better over the past year - but I’ll also admit that the challenge was not a magical switch for me and did not result in me ditching Amazon for good. It’s a constant WIP!
So, what’s new?
Renting clothes
In my original post I talked about how stressful and time consuming it was to navigate the thrift store scene in the Bay Area in search of an updated wardrobe. Still haven’t cracked the code on that one. BUT a friend of mine told me about Nuuly, a clothing rental subscription from Anthropologie, and it has been a total game-changer. I’ve been a subscriber for about a year now and mostly use it for work-appropriate ‘fits (since I only go into an office 2x a week) as well as wedding guest/event dresses. Also, now that I’m pregnant with baby #2 (eep!) it’s been the best source for maternity wear - no more stressing about buying clothes that I’ll only get to use for a few months! The selection of clothing on the app is great - not only do you get access to all the Anthro brands/styles, but you also get access to all the other brands they carry (like Levi’s, AGOLDE, etc). If you want to keep the items you’ve rented, they offer amazing discounts (I’ve seen as much as 70% off retail price!!) that I’ve definitely taken advantage of. And sometimes the pieces they send are brand new with tags! This is obviously not sponsored but I’ve just been a big fan of the experience so far. Highly recommend checking it out!
Some Nuuly rental faves:
Buying and selling furniture on second-hand marketplaces
Last summer, in a moment of passion and sustainable living inspiration, I remember announcing to Kevin “I’m never buying new furniture again!” What I meant was that buying new home pieces from mass retailers like West Elm, CB2, Restoration Hardware, etc. felt wasteful - and also like we were paying for a huge brand name markup. While “never” was probably way too extreme (oops :D), I am making a point to check out FB Marketplace or Nextdoor first when looking to refresh or replace our home décor. There are so many antique/vintage pieces with the same look (and often times more beautiful!) as the latest retailer catalogs but for a fraction of the price - and typically made from materials that have stood the test of time. If vintage isn’t your thing, I’ve also seen so many modern brand name pieces for resale at a significant discount than you’d pay brand new. The catch is that the market availability changes constantly, and you have to compete with other interested parties who may be willing to outbid you or pick up sooner, etc. But IMO, that’s part of the thrill of it :)
In addition to sourcing new home finds, I’ve also been selling some items in our attic that had been collecting dust. Feels SO good to clear out space and make a little $ at the same time!
What I’m working on
Panic-buying items on Amazon
While I’d love to say that I’m a green queen and have been fully abstaining from using Prime shipping or buying brand new, the reality of life as a working parent makes overnight shipping and one-click purchases (say, the night before the first day of preschool) pretty dang attractive. I’m extending grace to myself though and am trying to focus on improving my thought patterns with each ‘need’ that arises so that my immediate impulse is not just “buy on Amazon”. After looking at what we already have at home and then checking out second-hand sources, I then make a call on whether or not the item is truly essential or not and how quickly I actually need it. Again, definitely still making those impulse purchases but trying to be much more mindful when the moments arrive.
Following fewer consumption-focused influencers
This is a more subtle source I’ve noticed that has a big impact on the way I shop and consume. Many of the influencers I follow on social media make their income off affiliate links and share a constant stream products for purchase. While I believe that content makers should be compensated for their content, the constant stream of links and sales makes me feel a sense of lack - and then impulse to buy whatever it is they’re selling. Instead, I’m trying to shift more of my consumed content to Substack, where I’m a paid subscriber of a few blogs and don’t feel pressured to buy items they mention to support. It’s hard to part ways with some of my favorite social feeds though, so again, working on being more mindful of what I’m taking in, how it makes me feel, and the impulses it brings up in order to break a mindless cycle.
Like I said, it’s all a WIP
I named this blog “Little Green Steps” because my journey is exactly that - working on making small-but-mindful choices and tweaks to my lifestyle over time that amount to big change.
I’d love to know where others have made small changes recently and also what you’re struggling with - let me know!
Thanks for coming along on this journey with me!
A