Six things I will no longer buy in 2026 (Buy NOthing Rebellion)

We spend a huge amount of time shopping - up to several working weeks a year. Online shopping seems convenient, but in reality it takes energy, time and ultimately fills our homes with stuff we don't need. Here's a list of six things I will no longer buy in 2026 (Buy Nothing Rebellion).

I am a career mother and a professional organiser myself. I don't have time to waste, I want to use it in meaningful ways: productive and valuable activities or being, such as playing with my children and working. When I realised that shopping was actually eating up my time without me noticing, I decided to stop all unnecessary shopping.

Here are six things I won't buy in 2026 - and why. You can skip to the table of contents or have a look at the content as YouTube video.

1. I no longer buy trendy products

Trendy products are perhaps the biggest trap I have sometimes fallen into myself. Their marketing is based on a sense of urgency: “buy now, limited edition!” or a false sense of value: “if you buy this, you are valuable and part of us.”

They are also recommended by celebrities and social influencers, which creates a need for us to be part of the crowd. The end result, however, is that you end up with a home full of completely unnecessary stuff - and you pay through the nose for it. Six months on, no one will remember what Labubu was?

I already have everything I need in my lifetime. If something breaks, I can replace it. But even a replacement doesn't have to be a trendy product.

I've adopted a simple rule: if something hasn't been on my shopping list for a month, I don't buy it. Often time eats into the hype, and then you realise it was a desire, not a need. So no thanks to trendy products - they just take up space and energy.

2. I don't buy new clothes anymore

I often bought new clothes for the wrong reasons: when I was in a bad mood, I used ”retail therapy” (it's not really therapy, it's a substitute). Shopping produces dopamine, and it's an easy way to feel good for a while.

But the dopamine rush comes even before the purchase - the anticipation of getting something new. If you can stop yourself before the checkout, you'll get the dopamine without the hassle of the merchandise. I still don't recommend shopping when you're in a difficult mood, because you often end up grabbing at least ”something small” from the store.

I realised that shopping was no longer fun once the house was full and had to be taken care of. Nowadays, if I need something, I put it on my shopping list and take a moment to decide whether it's a real need or a desire. If I buy, I choose recycled clothing. Often I'd rather go for a run or to the gym to adjust my hormone balance than buy new. This saves me time, money and peace of mind.

3. I don't buy new phones anymore

For a long time I have not understood why I should upgrade my phone to the latest model if the old one works. I have a working phone and I don't need the latest model. Buying new equipment consumes resources, money and energy. Why on earth would I buy something just because it is the ”latest model”?

So I say no to all new electronics if the old ones work.

This decision has freed me from the constant pressure to update. I'm fine as I am with my old phone. I don't need a new one, and it actually feels like a relief.

4. I no longer buy gifts

This was a big change for me. I don't want to give anyone stuff that can be more of a nuisance than a joy. If I feel that a gift is necessary, I will make sure it is in advance.

I'd rather give a gift voucher, an experience, time or togetherness.

Today, most homes already have too much stuff. More than half of all gifts are unnecessary and go straight to the next stop, where ever that might be.

I think we should focus more on the culture of togetherness than on what we give. Goods are no longer the best gift - often they are just an extra burden.

Intangible gift tips and ideas

5. I no longer buy jewellery and bags

I love beautiful things, but I have found that they don't add anything meaningful to my everyday life. I'm happy with one valuables bag and my current jewellery.

When I had a lot of jewellery, I didn't have time to wear it, and it just sat in a drawer, weighing on my mind. Nowadays, I value leisure and peace of mind more than new accessories.

If I ever want something, I buy it second-hand. But I don't fill the shelves with bags and jewellery anymore. They don't add value, they take up space and attention.

6. I no longer buy beauty products

This is perhaps the hardest decision to make, because the culture around us emphasises the purchase of beauty products. But for me, a few basic creams and oils are enough. I don't want to spend time, money or effort hunting for beauty products.

I rely on exercise, good food and a meaningful life. These, along with basic products, are enough.

I don't want to run after the ideal images we are constantly fed. This decision has freed me from the pressure of always having to buy something new for my skincare or appearance.

How much time do we spend shopping online?

Research shows that people spend a huge amount of time shopping - up to hours a day. A third spend between 30 and 60 minutes trying to figure out what to buy, and some spend days. This is a significant part of our daily lives.

That's why it makes a big difference what we buy and how much time we spend on it. Personally, I've decided to keep the time I spend on shopping to a minimum, so that I have time to live and, perhaps, to use my current stuff.

I listed six things I will no longer buy in 2026 (Buy Nothing Rebellion). What do you think? Have you found yourself wanting to do things differently from what the environment expects - and save yourself time and peace of mind? Or have you stopped buying something?