Why I Don’t Want to Buy Anything “New” in 2026

By the end of 2025, my living room floor was covered in donation bags.

Clothes I hadn’t worn in years. Decor I once loved but no longer recognized. Items that were perfectly fine—but no longer necessary.

As I hauled bag after bag toward the door, I felt something unexpected: relief.

Not guilt. Not regret. Relief.

Letting go of physical clutter made my home feel lighter—and somehow, I did too. That was the moment I realized decluttering wasn’t just about cleaning up. It was about changing the habits that brought all of this into my home in the first place.

In 2026, I want to take that realization a step further.

From Decluttering to Intention

Decluttering is only half the equation. The other half is preventing the clutter from returning.

This year, my focus is on continuing to simplify and building systems that stop excess from entering our home in the first place. That means being more intentional with my purchases—and questioning them before they happen, not after they’ve already become another source of stress.

A major part of that intention shows up in where I choose to shop.

Choosing Second-Hand First

In 2026, I want to buy as little “new” as possible.

Instead, I’m committing to sourcing most of what I need from thrift stores, garage and estate sales, Buy Nothing groups, local online marketplaces, farmers markets, and vendor fairs—before turning to big-box or online retailers.

This isn’t a new lifestyle for me.

I spent years upcycling furniture—pieces found second-hand or even discarded curbside—and giving them new life with a sander and a fresh coat of paint or stain. I also love thrifting for clothes. I can tell you which thrift stores in my area are worth your time, what each one does best, and the best days to shop them. (And no—Goodwill doesn’t make that list.)

Still, I’ve noticed a habit I want to break: when I need something, I instinctively check big-box and online retailers first.

In 2026, I want to flip that mindset.

Why This Matters to Me

This decision isn’t driven by just one reason—it’s a mix of values that feel increasingly important to honor.

I want to:

• Consume less and buy with intention

• Spend money more thoughtfully and avoid unnecessary purchases

• Reduce waste and minimize my contribution to landfill culture

• Keep clutter out of my home and overwhelm out of my life

• And, frankly, stop funneling all my money to billion-dollar corporations

Buying second-hand isn’t just frugal or sustainable—it’s quietly rebellious. And I like that.

How I Plan to Do It

Whenever I’m searching for something that isn’t an urgent necessity, here’s the order I plan to follow:

1. Buy Nothing groups If I can find what I need for free from someone who’s happy to give it away, that’s a win on every level.

2. Local online for-sale groups I belong to several, and buying locally usually means less travel, no shipping waste, and money staying within my community.

3. Thrift stores, garage sales, and estate sales These are often goldmines if you’re willing to look with patience and creativity.

4. Big-box retailers as a last resort If I’ve allowed myself time to search and still come up empty—and the item is truly necessary—then I’ll buy new. But only after exhausting every other sustainable option first.

Progress Over Perfection

Am I confident I can do this?

Fairly confident—yes. Perfectly? No.h

I’m not aiming for all-or-nothing living. I don’t expect immediate perfection. This is about retraining my mindset, adjusting my habits, and choosing second-hand first more often than not.

If I stick with it throughout 2026, I’m confident it will become second nature—something I’ll carry with me into 2027 and beyond.

Less stuff.

More intention.

A quieter home—and a quieter mind.

That’s the goal.