Love!! I totally “create needs” when I’m bored or stressed 😬😬😬

This is just what I've been dwelling on lately. "Why is my desire to have less and a more fine tuned life style costing me more?" For someone who is donating and organizing in an effort to minimize I have an awful lot of Amazon deliveries?? Just subscribed🙂

@roneiasmith2149

2 жыл бұрын

Me too Julie N guilty I need to get rid online shopping 🛍

I feel attacked...in the best way. Moving into a new space, so I needed to hear this today. Thank you!

This is why I love learning about the history of marketing/advertising, it's just mind blowing learning about past campaigns that fabricated "needs" which have become universally viewed as such. Thanks for a thought provoking video!

Toddlers will often say "mommy I NEED this" when they actually mean they WANT something. As adults we do the same but in a less overt way

Creating needs. Interesting idea but Skill Share could lead us into that trap also.

I’m very guilty of falling into this cycle. I have a chronic illness so I often convince myself that certain things will make my life easier, and it took me a long time to realise that that’s just not the case.

You hit a nerve here. This is totally what I‘m doing all the time especially since covid started. I sitting at home all the time waiting for my (job)life to get back to normal. Because I liked it the way it was and don’t want do anything different. So I get bored, see something nice online and imagine myself being perfect in/with that thing and the urge to buy it becomes irresistible. It fills the void. For a short time. Your approach to fill it with some courses is a good idea, it’s just, I need the drive to do it and not just chill on the couch.

I loved this. Really thought provoking - the idea that we create needs to shop. I want to be aware of when I am creating new needs. I have been on a journey towards owning less and appreciating what I already own for several years, but it can be a struggle. Thanks for sharing this!

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! And good luck on that journey-I’m on it too! :)

I wholeheartedly agree. I think the same with all of the "organize my kitchen" videos where everyone puts their food in pretty containers. Yes, it looks nice, but there really is no other purpose to ALL of your food in these containers. Certain items, sure, but just to have a pretty pantry? It's such a fad and it's frustrating that people don't recognize the influence of purchasing and acquiring so much more than we need.

@trae4529

2 жыл бұрын

@Heidi V-- I was watching another You Tuber who had just bought her first house and was going on and on about how she couldn’t wait to “style her pantry” ......I could not stop rolling my eyes at such a ridiculous notion.....

@mickalaloeffelbein4935

2 жыл бұрын

I totally agree. I think baskets or bins to corral like items is helpful but a container for each thing you have is very ridiculous. Every time I see people doing it, there is ALWAYS product that didn’t fit into the container and then they just have to store that as well 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ especially when people put all their spices into matching containers!! The only time I can see one of those pretty containers being helpful is if you buy massive bulk on certain items that you store in food grade containers in a garage or basement and then have a smaller refillable one for your inside pantry. But like you said, not every item needs that.

@orysyaf8337

2 жыл бұрын

Especially when they dump all the spices out of the store bought jars and into identical ones .

I’ve fallen into the specificity trap with my coats and bags, it became overwhelming trying to find the perfect item for every possible occasion, real or imagined. Now I’m trying to whittle them down, and keep only what I truly need and use.

@katehenry2718

2 жыл бұрын

States around the Great Lakes have massive shifts of weather. I gave up and got "winter shoes". I wear long socks year round and work outdoors year round, so little cute summer girlie shoes just don't make it in mud and snow. Ditto Jackets. One purse, couple of cloth totes. Wear em till they can't be fixed. Estate sale shoes are good extras-in-waiting. Only thing to buy new is underwear and socks. Recycle by buying used everything else.

You got me with the many coat needs. We have so many seasons in northern Maine. I’m guilty of having several coats. The same with boots; High boots, low boots, dressy boots, snow boots….🤦🏼‍♀️

@susanstillwell6305

2 жыл бұрын

Seems reasonable to me that living in Maine would require more coats and boots than living in a much milder climate, as long as each coat and pair of boots fills a specific need, rather than just a desire for multiple styles.

@sofondadavis5028

2 жыл бұрын

Me too and I'm in Florida

@polinaracheeva9163

2 жыл бұрын

I'm from Finland and we have so many variations in temperature throughout the year: from -30°C in winter to +18°C and rain in summer.

@orysyaf8337

2 жыл бұрын

Coats and boots are my weakness love them all!

@Ohh4udumn

2 жыл бұрын

I’m in the Midwest and I feel the same! The perfect coat just hasn’t come into my life yet.

Very thought provoking. You inspired me to look at my credit card for the last, say, 3 month and see how many needs I have created. I am not going to like it, I think, but I want to know and learn from it. Thank you for such wonderful video.

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

That's so smart to do a quick review and look at past shopping patterns! And thanks so much for the kind words. :)

I tend to give myself a few weeks or months before I buy a new kind of "silly" object, I did it with the little portable blender I bought, I did it for the self-disinfecting water bottle I bought, I did it for period underwear. I kept thinking about these things even after I would usually just forget about a product I wanted. Now that I have them I use them constantly and really enjoy them every time I do. The best thing in my experience is to just sit on it for an extended period of time. I've wanted this stupid expensive water bottle for nearly 2 years and good god it's better than I even imagined. If I put ice in it, the ice will be jangling around in there for days, the disinfecting light does make the water taste wayyy better, even my skeptical friends were amazed. I am probably 10x more hydrated than I was before. It's so much more fun to take your time and make purchases you really enjoy, I will never get tired of this thing.

@CupNoodleKitty

2 жыл бұрын

Can you give me a Link to the water bottle please? 🥰😊

@belladonna2104

2 жыл бұрын

@@CupNoodleKitty haha this is the perfect place to sell to shopaholics

Yes! Etsy got me this morning with a plastic bag organizer. I was thinking, where has this been all my life??? Then, I realized I’ve been married 18 years and my bags are organized just fine. I don’t need a wooden organizer to keep them separate.

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

This is exactly what I mean! Totally relate to this! :)

This is one of the best, insightful videos I've seen on avoiding buying stuff. I kept thinking 'she's in my head, she's in my head' as I watched it. :-).

This really resonated with me. I was reducing my jewelry and thought, oh I need a smaller jewelry box. I realized that I should use what I already have and found a box that worked just fine. We really need to carefully think about any purchases that we want to make. We probably already have what we need. Thanks for this great video! 💚💚💚

*“Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” - William Morris*

@mariagordanier3404

2 жыл бұрын

Well, the problem I have with that is that I have many useful gizmos in my kitchen I rarely use! I need fewer of them!! Sure, they are useful...

I totally agree with this idea of how companies create the perception of new "needs." I've especially seen this with "cool" brands or makers whose products I like: I'll feel more inclined to buy a t shirt, or a baseball cap, or some trinket just to show my support. The other trap I also fall into is feeling like I need more than one. Like, if I buy an awesome set of work gloves, I feel I should have a second pair as a "back up" or "just in case," so I have a tendancy to buy some things in pairs. An extreme example of this is buying under garments because we feel like we need a week (or two's) worth. Another technique that companies employ is the over specialization of gear/tools/products for certain activities, and the idea that the only way to be successful in that activity is to have this specific product that only serves one or two purposes.

@Maryangel24

2 жыл бұрын

To be fair, many people cant dp laundry daily, so a lot of people DO need a week's worth of undies. People with vaginas typically have daily discharge and it really isn't comfy sitting in crusty undies for longer than a day... again, many people cn't do laundry (and it wouldnt be sustainable to wash on an almost empty washing machine either). So not sure the u dies part makes sense.

Yes!! We manufacture needs. We are always solving problems that don’t exist until we see a product. Great mindset reset vlog!

Oh my god!! It seems we have stepped into a new era called organization!! Each designated organizer for each and every household items. From cutlery to dinnerware, lids, disposable bags, dresses, jewelry, kids toys and the list is so on!! Where on earth people used to stay in a house and find every item before this era!! Really a big eye opener. The curious case is Ikea like giants are making most of the revenue out of decor items or 'it can be a useful thing' rather than the absolute necessary items!! Last time when we were about to exit Ikea through billing section, a crew member show us 'Exit without shopping' gate as we were carrying nothing. And we were so ecstatic about the fact that finally we have made it!

Love this! New goal: practice thinking carefully through a need that is prompting a purchase. Thank you for sharing!

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

Yay! Thank you! :)

I don't watch haul videos anymore because I would always walk away thinking I need that. We're bombarded with enough advertising every day that I realized I was basically poisoning my mind with stuff by watching haul videos.

Thank you for telling deeper into this idea. I definitely don't blame myself for wanting to find skin products that work for my face. It's very refreshing to hear it clearly identified as a want rather than a need, though. And now that I have things that work adequately, I certainly don't need to keep hunting for a miracle product. Your experience with the jewellery organizer sounded SO familiar! The next time I find myself ruminating over the "perfect" organizer or coffee maker or whisk or t-shirt or car accessory or WHATEVER , I will have a chance to really take notice of my perceived need. I have an affirmations app that I'm using to ran for certain positive thought patterns, and one of my affirmations is that I only purchase items that truly add value to my life. I'm going to mix this self-analysis with some self-compassion. We don't get it right on the first try! It was really interesting that you put the onus of creating a need on the individual. He didn't focus much on the companies that are constantly telling us we need more and we need to be more. Society has drilled this into us since childhood. But that doesn't mean we can't examine it. Thanks for a different perspective. As a side note, I also try to incorporate creativity into my minimalism. I ask myself whether there's another object I already own that I could use for the purpose. Sometimes I'm surprised by the alternative!

I totally agree, people around me have talked about want..... mine and their own so much more than need. And seem so comfortable being flippant about it, for me I feel so frustrated by the word want , when need is so much more important in life and a more necessary word. This actually makes me feel angry as due to disability my needs are harder to meet above and beyond my wants.

Yes, I can definitely come up with a need of specificity so I don't feel guilty about shopping! Great reminder!!

This is great video just in time before I bough bunch of stuff to organize my house. I was watching KZread videos on organizing your home and at the sudden I created need for more stuff while trying to minimize it. 😀 After watching this video I realized that areas which I wanted to fix are just fine, the system I have in place is great and I don’t need all those storage bins and boxes and cabinets to change the way I store things. You just enlightened me! Thank you!!!!😍

Wow! I could relate to so many of the thoughts and patterns you mentioned! Thank you for helping me see this in myself! I's really brave to examine yourself to see these patterns and even more brave to share this with strangers. Thanks Sister!

I love this. It's given me so much to think about, especially as the holiday season comes along. When I'm planning presents for family, for kids, for spouse, and especially for myself, I need to keep this in mind! I can't let the season become my reason for needing anything! Perfectly timed, and super useful content. Thank you!

Wow, I didn’t even realise that I did this.. this is an eye opener! I’m a minimalist in the fact that I keep what brings value and use but I’ve never realised I do this with a number of items.. thank you for bringing this to mind!

Excellent and thought provoking topic Elin! In the past I was a shopaholic and transforming the mindset and reflecting on the marketing tactics helped me see what was truly meaningful in my life.

Thank you for this incredibly timely and thought-provoking video. It’s Sephora sale time and it’s amazing the variety of crap I was convincing myself I NEEDED........

Thanks for this video! It was really helpful for me, eloquently spoken and thoughtful. I especially enjoyed the end when you mentioned our need for actual life experiences and joy, and how that will help us let go of the need to fill up our lives with things. I'm pretty new to my minimalism journey, and while I'm doing q pretty good job letting go of things I do find myself creating needs on top of needs. I recently went camping with friends for a whole week, and i realized how little a desire i felt to buy things after that... Working on maintaining that mentality!

Great points. I definitely have experienced what you described. One of the ways I get myself out of the cycle is to ask myself what do I have that I could use instead of buying this niche thing I *think* I need. This always helps me get creative and use what I already have. Thanks for sharing and reminding us of this important phenomenon.

This is soooo true. Thank you for this video. It happens to me a lot and I am trying to stop, really think about whether the thing is a need or want, will it actually bring value to my life or will it just be a temporary, fleeting thing and then forgotten. I’ve definitely gotten better but you are right…if you aren’t mindful about it, it can really get you.

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment! Glad I'm not alone in this! :)

This is the most inspiring video in terms of minimalism I’ve seen in a very long time! I am absolutely „guilty“ of the habits, you mentioned!

this is an incredible video! it makes me think of the mindfulness approach and being aware and honest with your true underlying needs and what will really bring your joy and meaning. often times i find that i may WANT something but i DON’T want it to take up space in my home and that is usually enough of a reason for me not to buy something.

Thank you for such a thought-provoking vlog! It will indeed cause me to pause before a purchase to check whether it is a real or perceived need. Love your channel!

We have to rethink our needs: we get bored, we shop! I try my best to stay away from Etsy, Amazon and other accessible sites…

@christined2495

2 жыл бұрын

Amazon is the devil🥶

I could relate to so much of this AND also have been give some new things to consider about my own shopping habits. Very helpful information. Thank you!

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

I have stayed out of stores, and online for a month now, and I don't feel like I need more material things, and I get to keep my money. I like to budget for things now, but it was like a small win when I realized I don't feel like I am missing out, because I am not giving a store all of my money.

I'm on the opposite of the spectrum. I deeply believed almost everything on the market is advertised to invoke my desire, so I rarely purchase stuff. Until recent, I got my first ever mixing bowls. Wow they really bring convenience to cooking. And some hand towel in the kitchen. I'd still argue these items are not necessaties, but they are very nice to have

@polinaracheeva9163

2 жыл бұрын

I was there too. I was an international student and was afraid to spend an extra cent. As a result I would end up with broken items that I did not dare to get rid of. Sometimes you need to understand what will make your life easier

WOW i totally needed to hear this!! this was so insightful and really made me think about my own shopping patterns, since shopping has recently stopped being fun and enjoyable. i get why now! thanks so much 💛💛💛

Amazing video! I have fell in this traps over and over

This is so true. Example is myself. I felt that i need a new camera when the one i got works. Eventually i caved in, got a camera, now i need extra batteries, then a lens, then cables, then a charging dock, then a camera bag, then a screen protector, a cage, a new mic...you get the point.. after everything, i wasted a lot of time and money instead of focusing on the more important stuff.

Really good timing for this to come up

Great video. As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts to balance out all the messages I get from the materialistic perspective

Wow, You have described me to a tee!!! I focus on the oddest things that I think I ‘need’. But I have been decluttering and have been getting rid of a lot of things that I don’t need. I have a small home, so my desire to add more isn’t as strong. But there is always something that I want. I just need to talk myself out of it.

Wow a kind of a perspective shift about 'needs' and buying patterns. Thanks!

I love that you started this off with a jewelry tray! One time I saw an influencer show off the most beautiful jewelry tray, and I thought “oh I love that, but I don’t really need it.” suddenly, I subconsciously started throwing my jewelry on my dresser instead of putting them away. Whenever I threw it there I thought “man I could use that jewelry stand.” I realized that subconsciously, I was creating the need and affirming the fact that I just really wanted the pretty jewelry stand 😂 since then, I attached leftover command clips to a clothes hanger, and just hang all my necklaces from that, hanging on the inside of my closet door. Simple no cost solution. Our minds play tricks on us!

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

Such a great example! It shows how we can even start to change our behaviors to justify a purchase - I’m totally with you! Thanks for sharing :)

Thank you for sharing this valuable information and so glad to listen to your insights ❤️

This is a hole I fall in over and over thanks for labeling it so I can stop myself from purchasing “ solutions “

Like your jewelry organizer, I am very heavily influenced by family. We all tend to get the same things and some I have regretted or downsized, but I also think it’s a way to have a shared common experience with family.

This video definitely resonates with me, I haven't thought about how to break the cycle, though.

I have not watched this channel for awhile. I miss the added relaxation I feel in the presence of this talented creator. I’m glad to be back. 💐 💆‍♀️

This. This is exactly what I’ve been noticing the last few months! And it’s SO hard to overcome this as a creative person because I always have new ideas and projects!

Thanks so much for posting this! This was so helpful!!

Wow such great insights... Thank you!

Creating holes in our lives. There it is! I’m so guilty and I’ve recognized it but hadn’t named it so that’s really helpful.

Omg. You juste put into words what I do all.the.time! Creating needs that are not true needs… The example with winter coats is exactly my problem… Thanks for this video, I will be much more alert in the future.

Wow this was a wake up call I definitely do this.. I really like the concept of "shopping tricks", another similar one that I noticed is the *high quality aesthetic* trick where I basically need to replace something with a high-quality version which will last longer. I think it's good to have things that last long, but in the end when I am spending a lot of money on something I think it might be more of a status symbol especially when I have something that works perfectly fine

Such a beautiful and grounded video. I love that

Amazing 👏🏾

The coat wardrobe part kinda makes sense in a certain climate. I have few highly unlikely to get a parka, but then in Louisiana it isn’t far-fetched to have a umbrella/rain collection. I understood what the point was intended to illustrate though

loved what you talked about and yes i agree, one word for my year was Enough, i would ask myself have i enough and if the answer was yes, i wouldn,t buy it, i walked away but instead of the pity party, i would feel content, and being content is vastly underated today, instead we buy cheap nasty imports that often break and are fads, and this isnt great when i was in debt, and then i would get bored with the item take it to a charity shop, not wise eh!!!!! love Jacqueline

@almabackstrom5414

2 жыл бұрын

What a great concept. I'm going to try this idea. Thank you♥️♥️♥️

Very good points!

The puffy coat hit reeeaaally close. Eek! Great reminder 👏🏼

I do this all the time!!! Great video!

Nice take on the topic, thank you

Marketers shifted to crating needs around the Depression or WWII because they had surplus production capacity and materials they wanted to create markets for.

O...MG thinking that I need everything to be the "perfect one" & then spending days looking for the most "perfect one" is my WORST habit.....seriously! & 9 times out of 10, it's always something that I don't NEED. I've done this with household items like coffee tables & then 6 months later, I'm selling that coffee table for a fraction of the price & then I'm spending days & having sleepless nights looking for the next "perfect coffee table" It's a habit that I've really had to look deeper into in recent years x

This is brilliant. Thank you for giving me a reason not to buy stuff I don't really need!

What I do to keep everything minimized is I invest on things that I can use for a long time. Like Jewelries; I have this wood jewelry box that I am still using for 20 years. It does the job and the style is timeless.

Thank you for sharing and being real. I do rationalize when I start looking for something and then one thing can lead to another and I have to stop and think! Do I really need this?

Very good video 👍

Girrrrlllll….that shopping rumination you went thru is SO true! In fact, did you need the pillows. Interesting that you pulled your sister in. See how it spreads like a cold?!

I actually wanted a jewelry case for my jewelry case and I was about to spend $50 on a small minimalist cute case. I saw a blogger have a cute black leather case for her jewelry and loved the look as decor. But do I really need it? But you've help me see that the pouch my jewelry came with is all I really need! Plus it's easier to carry and travel with a pouch! Oddly convent timing! Thanks!

Wow very nice

I am the queen of talking myself to buy something ;). My mother hates my reasoning so we quarrel often about my constant shopping and returning. Honestly though, my belonging is reaching a point that Makes it harder for me to justify buying and keeping anything. I really don’t need a other kitchen thing, shoes, bags, jewelry, organizer/container, clothing, furniture, bedding, textile, makeup, hair thing, cleaning supplies…….nothing. I have gazillion things in my place and at work already (yes I use my cubicle as storage or excuses to get a second set of yoga and workout things)

Talk about it! Creating needs.......

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

Totally :)

Finding out the so called needs makes me anxious in a way

That has happened to me yesterday. I was searching for new toys for my cats, saw a container for snacks which was a bit cute but then thought, do I really need this? I can keep the snacks in the bags they come with so why buy something which I also have to maintain? So I did not buy it

amen!!!

I ended up getting rid of jewelry I never wear and now I have space to see what I like. Lol

Lol me in Wisconsin with the coats.... I'm on my fifth coat....

i feel called out by the jacket example… but boy do i love jackets 😖

My human mind has a need to create needs. My imagination has to have something to do. If I create a problem, then solve the problem; I will feel more self-fulfilled.

That said, try Aveeno cream for baby eczema on your face. It’s very soothing for sensitive skin, and baby products are better tested than adult ones. It’s about $10 for a big blue and ivory colored tube. Also if it doesn’t work out for your face you can use it on your hands.

My problem is needing new clothes. I don’t even go anywhere. I don’t buy shoes, I don’t buy coats, I don’t buy a lot of stuff at all I just have an issue with new clothes. I don’t need all these clothes. It’s an issue .

I love your shirt and have been looking for one like it. Would you mind sharing where you bought it? Thanks.

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

It's from Reformation!

@virginiallanes2709

2 жыл бұрын

@@ElinLesser Thanks so much. Just ordered it. By the way, this was not a created need! I aim to be deliberate and thoughtful about each purchase. This shirt is just a perfect match for me. Thanks again...I really appreciate your reply, I was not familiar with the Reformation brand. :)

@ElinLesser

2 жыл бұрын

@@virginiallanes2709 yay! I do fully support a well-thought-out happy purchase :)

I do this constantly 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’m good at decluttering and don´t own a lot of cloths, but instead of enjoying this I have a HUGE desire to shop! But I’ve learned that the way I used to shop did not work, I just decluttered the items a few months later. I bought second hand and it rarely fitted perfectly or was in good quality. Now I’m pregnant and instead of shopping I’m planning which gives me some satisfaction at least. Maybe I can shop in a new way, that actually builds a sustainable wardrobe that works for my life. Do you have any tips for “good” shopping? I realize that this have to take time and that there are no quick fixes. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and beautiful home! /Julia, Sweden

The worst time for me creating needs was bringing home a new baby. All that baby needed was cloth diapers, a warm hat, a blanket, 4 onesies and a car seat. What happened?!?

So...what's the best jewelry organizing system?

Most plastic surgery is a great example of a potentially dangerous 'created need'.

To avoid buying stuff like that I just leave it for later and if I remember to search for the item again I get it. 99% of the time I completely forget xD

I find that if I don’t meet my needs I buy other things around it instead of just buying the thing I need. I wing up spending more money on the thing that I don’t need because I’m not buying the thing I need. Why do you think that is?

I know that cycle, how many jackets do I need? How many different kitchen utensils do I need, can one item facilitate multiple purposes? Most times yes. Can I question my discomfort and ask myself, Will this item elevate the quality of my life? Mostly likely no, it will be like a sudden high and then, I’ll forget about it like a kid on Christmas. Something to think about 🤔

In some cases you don't need an extra moisturizer, you need an air humidifier.

Has anyone else asked what the flaky skin product was though???? I'd like to know!