📦 I'm on an Amazon cleanse

It started with Dry January...

I started the year off with a Dry January of two things: Alcohol and Amazon.

I’ve written about how I believe alcohol dampens creativity, plus taking time off from the stuff just makes me feel physically and mentally better.

As for Amazon…I think my order history speaks for itself.

That’s like… once a week.

I was ordering things too easily. Items would range in necessity, but I especially noticed that prior to a trip, the last minute, frenzied ordering would pick up.

Looking back, I was averaging ~$150 a month on Amazon orders.

🤯

Ultimately, I wanted to challenge myself — Did I really need that thing? Could I get it at a local store instead? Do I have something similar at home?

I was also curious if I could start to retrain myself to not expect immediate gratification. I am a patient person with loved ones, restaurant workers, etc.

With myself? Eh, not so much. If I want something done (i.e. a haircut), I want it NOW. If I am learning a new skill, I want to be good at it NOW.

I hoped my Amazon cleanse would help me appreciate the time or work it takes to get somewhere, or something. To enjoy the journey. Appreciate the process. All that jazz.

As of today, I’m 80 days “sober” from buying anything from¹ Amazon — I had a brief hiccup since Jan 1 when I ordered some things for myself to meet a delivery minimum for a family member’s order. If you’re curious, it was this body scrubber and this face exfoliator. Scrubber gets used regularly, exfoliator doesn’t. 🤷‍♀️ And that’s been my only order for myself all year.

Things I’ve learned from going Amazon sober

1. I’m less impacted by trends.

   Cutting back on my “Add to cart” has made me recognize how easily impacted I was by a video to buy something that the creator convinced me I NEEDED — I’m looking at you, neck relaxer. Now, when I see a video that’s “selling” something, it doesn’t affect me as much and if I do think I need it, I’ll add it to my cart but evaluate a week or so later to see if I really need it. (I typically don’t.)

2. I try to be more resourceful.

   Speaking of organization, instead of buying new boxes and bins whenever I feel like an area of my house needs tidying, I ask — Do I have something that can do the job? I’ve repurposed old (and cute!) shoeboxes to organize cards or art supplies and turned unused purses into containers for ink cartridges..

3. I use Amazon for what’s it’s made for: utility.

   When I’m in a pinch, Amazon is great. Fast delivery, great prices, etc. In March, I ordered stuff for my brother’s recovery from surgery and that was helpful seeing as I was in a different state. Last year, I purchased gifts for friend’s kids since I was in a busy season of work and/or traveling. When you start to think of it as utility, the pleasure shopping decreases.

4. I’m a little more patient.

   This one is a bit more long term (aka for life), but I find that I’ve developed more patience and trust in my/the process. Good things take time, even online orders. The Amazon cleanse is only a portion of the work I’ve done to feel that shift, but every little bit helps.

Would you try an Amazon cleanse? Have you done one before? Are you totally off Amazon? Do you love Amazon? Let’s hear it.

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1. 🍫 I’m telling everyone and their mother about this chocolate focaccia. I made it this week and it’s as good as you think it is. Make it! Then message me.

2. 🤓 My friend Mel has a newsletter called Wordy and Nerdy that brings me a lot of joy. This week’s was a list of beautiful affirmations that I 100% needed to hear.

3. 🌬️ I tried this 5 minute breathwork this week to ground before a coaching call and found it really supportive. Try it when you feel like your body and your mind are on two separate planets.

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Enjoying this bop with the rest of the world,

And here’s the ümlauts playlist.

Not ordering on Amazon,

Zoë

P.S. If you missed this week’s prompts you can find’ em here.

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1. I’ve ordered things for family via Amazon since January but I’m not counting that.