23 Comments
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Cheryl Shops's avatar

It’s so interesting to see how your no-buy year and digital detox caused you to pivot to more analog hobbies and practices. I have such a love-hate relationship with social media (and with my phone); this is an intriguing glimpse into how life would be without it.

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

It really is wild how much impact it’s had on me for the better x

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Suzanne's avatar

I really enjoyed reading this! Your article and no buy are very inspiring. I would love to cook/bake more myself. This month I started with a sewing class, I never used a sewing machine. It really excites me to learn something new and just be creative. I love to follow your journey on Substack!

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Thanks so much Suzanne and that’s so cool re the sewing!x

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Harriet this was so lovely. First of all, thanks for being so honest. Secondly, I am OBSESSED with this candle making as a gift for friends/family. I don’t like showing up empty handed to a gathering and showing up with a homemade gift is so thoughtful. Thoughtfulness is very on brand for you too.

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Awe thanks Kelly! X

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Lucy Henderson's avatar

Great read 😍 the whole narrative that we need to be rushing all the time, taking up every point of our day with doing all the things is getting outdated and people are fighting back to slow down. It makes for a much more content life I think xx

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Totally ❤️

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Tamara's avatar

I had a similar experience with my 2024 no-buy and after 3 months of return to consumerism...i'm OUT again. and happily so!

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Love it Tamara x

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Glow + Flow Collective's avatar

Um, but where can I buy myself an HH candle??

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Come to LA and we’ll make one together x

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Imani Love's avatar

Really loved reading about the other crops of joy from your No-Buy. I did my first 30-Day No Buy last summer. My No-Buy was anything that wasn’t groceries, bills, transport and the daily mental tantrums and sleepless nights was soooooo illuminating! Similarly I returned to my notebooks, collaging, I really got into nail art and SOOO MANY BOOKS. I haven’t turned back and have successfully swapped my social media scroll for lit fic! I’m looking forward to get your No-Buy Styling Course to help set me up for a longer No-Buy with a similar hope of reconnecting me to my creativity and self confidence. Thanks for sharing your journey! It’s very inspiring for gals on a similar path!

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Awe thank you Imani! LOVE seeing you in our subscriber chat and relate to everything you said. X

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SR's avatar

Love this, thank you for sharing about it so beautifully!

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Thank you for reading!x

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Jess P's avatar

Loved all of this, Harriet. I'm now on an internet deep dive of FunFax!

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Julia Norberg's avatar

This was such a lovely read Harriet, and it just makes me more inspired to scale back in life in general. Less shopping, less hobbies for the sake of being able to say I have a hobby, less doing, less scrolling, less in general. It always creates space in the most magical of ways.

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Thanks so much Julia x

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Judy Ritter's avatar

You are amazing Harry !!!

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Awe thank you Judy x

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Sammy W's avatar

So much to reflect on here Harry!! Great post.

I’m now in month four of my no buy (and working my way slowly through your course). The first three months of the year have been emotionally and physically challenging in so many ways / but having the project of cataloguing my wardrobe, bit by bit, section by section, has in itself been a pleasure point in the midst of so much heartache. I am finally at the point (after a lot of guilt and shame shedding over past buying habits) of having a beautifully organised and catalogued wardrobe (I have transformed my spare bedroom) and when I walk in to get dressed I am excited not overwhelmed. I am only just beginning the wardrobe play dates, and have sorted piles of to give away, to sell and to mend. I also have a whole section of pieces I am undecided about, pieces I love but don’t wear or am unsure how to wear and instead of shame I feel excited about the prospect of figuring them out. I am looking forward to what I will learn over the months ahead, not just about my wardrobe but about life without the cycle of dopamine fueled impulse buying then guilt and shame and overwhelm of having so much and excited to cultivate new ways of enjoying the time I used to spend ‘shopping’ (scrolling, wanting, denying, indulging, shame spiraling, returning things, then buying more). I was so worried I would feel deprived by a no buy but that has not been my experience so far!! Bring on the creativity xxx

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Harriet Hadfield's avatar

Oh Sammy I just want to give you a big hug after reading this. ❤️ You are amazing and I’m so grateful for your continued support. Reading that last line about not feeling deprived makes me so happy to hear. X

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