Breaking free from Bezos

My 2025 new year's resolution

Controversial opinion: I love a New Year’s resolution. Something about January 1 motivates me to set a goal or start a new habit. Don’t ask me why I can’t begin on some random Monday—it’s the flip of the calendar that inspires new optimism.

My 2025 resolution: I’m attempting a Buy Nothing New Year. The rules? Use what I have, fix what is broken, secondhand whenever possible, and if I must buy new, do it mindfully.

Why? I want to change my relationship to online shopping, save money, and align my actions with my values—like eco-consciousness, fair labor practices, and anti-consumerism. This doesn’t feel a huge departure from how I already live; obviously I love a thrift store. I’m not a clotheshorse or someone who enjoys going shopping—except… I am compulsive with my online purchases. Last year, I spent $4,556.47 on Amazon. (Yes, I’m horrified.)

But here’s the context: last year, I got a new health diagnosis, which left me homebound a lot. Amazon became my lifeline. I bought everything—groceries, essentials, and many things I absolutely didn’t need—because I couldn’t muster the energy to leave my house and shop in person.

But Amazon often let me down. The quality of what I bought was so hit-or-miss that I started spending an absurd amount of time at UPS, returning it all. The irony of avoiding the world only to spend time standing in line with a box under my arm wasn’t lost on me. Last week, while returning yet another failed purchase, I saw mountains of Amazon returns piled behind the counter. It really hit me: I’d contributed to that pile, over and over, all year long.

And now, 2025: No more instant gratification clicks. No more lining Bezos’ already-space-ready pockets.

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Interested in a “No Buy” or “Low Buy” year, month, or week?

• Video: 2025 No Buy Challenge Success Guide (Tidy with SPARK)

• What Is A No Spend Year? The Ultimate Guide To A No Spend Year! (Sustainably Kind Living)

• The Ultimate Guide for a No-Spend Month (Porch)

• The Ultimate Guide To A No-Buy Year (Forbes)

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Resolutions We Can All Make for Home Design & Decor

• Shop secondhand for furniture and decor—thrift stores, estate sales, and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist are treasure troves.

• Invest in high-quality, durable items secondhand instead of buying cheap, disposable decor.

• Swap items with friends or participate in local Buy Nothing groups to refresh your space without buying new ones.

• Repair instead of replace—fix broken items or learn simple DIY skills to extend their life. Refresh old furniture with paint or new hardware.

• Embrace timeless styles instead of trends—choose decor you’ll love for years to reduce the urge to redecorate often.

• Be mindful of materials—prioritize natural, recycled, or sustainably sourced textiles and decor items.

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Recently, I’ve been on a documentary kick, and they’re definitely shaping my 2025 intentions. I highly recommend “Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy” This deep dive into consumerism—from fast fashion to tech companies’ planned obsolescence and the heartbreaking reality of how low-income countries are burdened with managing American waste—challenged my assumptions about recycling and led me to cancel my Amazon Prime account.

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Let’s make 2025 a year where our homes—and our lives—reflect our values.

See you in 2025,
Mary