Who’s in for a No Buy July dopamine detox? I’ll be sharing updates and motivation on my Instagram stories too so let’s do it together! xx

Some of us shopping addicts don't actually get a rush after purchasing, for me it is the constant drive to "improve" my life, make needed changes, etc. I have been constantly swapping things. But now I am on a no-buy and just settling in to that what I have is good enough, not perfect, not forever, just good enough for here and now.

I’m innnnn I’m so sick of myself and the endless cycle of Decluttering and minimizing and then I bring more crap in.

I've stopped watching KZfaq shorts a few days ago. It was never a problem, but I decided I don't need stimulation constantly. So far so good, but we'll see!

Studying/Reading/Going to the gym - all of that feels kinda challenging when I start, but it feels so satisfying afterwards. Still learning how to be consistent though.

I recently took stock of my closet and was a bit disappointed to see a load of duplicates and or pieces I wanted but barely ever wear. It's just too much. So as of 2 weeks ago I've moved Insta off my phone home page so it's not as tempting to scroll through it so often, and I've unfollowed / unsubscribed from almost every retailer I was watching. Here on YT I'm prioritizing people who are emphasizing thinking first, buying later or not at all. Basically I'm trying to get back to my pre-2020 shopping practices of only looking if there's a specific piece I actually need. No more just browsing "for fun." I've made a list of things I actually do *need* - for the rest of the year. I'm aiming to stick to that list and even then only if it's a good price-quality rapport, if it fits perfectly and it's really a Wow!

What a timely video. I spent some money in June filling in summer gaps in my wardrobe (which were needed), but the dopamine of those purchases has me back on the shopping wagon! I can’t stop browsing and it’s clearly so bad for my mental health. Thanks for the inspiration to do another No Buy this month.

Throw mental illness in with dopamine detox. Its a challenge sometimes to just get a shower. But, to hear the positivity and support here, helps a while lot. Thank you.

Love seeing other people's workouts. Great way to freshen up our routines or remember things we used to do that need a revisit.😊

Christina I Absolutely needed this video thank you so so so much for motivating me you are my truly truly inspiration😭😭♥️♥️

Christina, you articulated well the snowball effect of buying something you like and then looking for more items from the same brand or store. It's something I struugle with but never really put it into words before.

Whem I get out of my habit of reading I catch myself and try to focus on reading every day at least for a half hour. I quickly take back up the habit. But on the flip side - social media very easily distracts me and gets me out of good habits.

Christina: so impressed with those pull ups! You go girl!!!

This is the video I didn‘t know I needed. Your explanation of „doing hard things“ is really working for me. Thank you so much ❤

I would love to see a week of workouts! It would be inspiring and encouraging to me as I complete my summer workout program. One habit I would love to get back to is watercolor painting/calligraphy. It's so soothing and pretty, and even just 5 mins is a soul and mental health boost for me.

I did a whole no buy year in 2023! It was challenging but rewarding. I also unfollowed many channels in May because I was being too influenced to spend money (both of these I documented on my channel). I’m struggling to maintain no buy resolutions now, and am considering another no buy year in 2025. Good luck with July!!

Reframing the no buy as a dopamine detox is a nice change in perspective. I have noticed during my no buys I sometimes replace shopping with shopping for things that are not on my list (bottles of wine, croissants, coffees). It comes and goes but the behaviors always come with things like work stress , general fatigue, feeling hormonal and crappy.

wow, perfect timing ❤ this is kind of, wow! I just entered in a similar mood yesterday and just needed to know that it leads to feeling better and, as you said, to actually be and do what I said I could be and do!

Oh Christina, you are so wise. This is really valuable content! But I'm sorry to say, a few days after Canada Day, my goodness, I thought they would have less plastic packaging there. For example, we (I'm in the EU) have tomatoes and strawberries, kiwis, potatoes, etc. in cardboard boxes or paper bags 🤔 My challenge is to get back to my daily stretching exercises and drink more water.

I live in western Canada and we don't have bagged milk out here. I grew up in Ontario so seeing you pour milk from a bag was pure nostalgia 😊

I replaced my dopamine rush by borrowing books from the library and bringing in fresh flowers from my garden into our home every week. I love the thrill of searching for books and finding the best stories to read while I’ll get to return it if I don’t like it or when I’m done with it. Bringing in fresh flowers allows me to “decorate” something new without the need for storage or spending money since these are flowers that come back every year and I also save the seeds if they’re annuals. Plus fresh flowers make my home look so lively and inviting 🥰

Last month I started to play the guitar, even as a violinist i grew up a thought that i would never be able to play the guitar and sing at the same time. And now I'm doing it! It's only a few song but it made me so happy. Going at the gym and pilates as well and I think both of these habits are helping with my anxiety and thrift addiction. Thanks for the video, Christina!

You always have such good advice! Thank you Christina ❤

Love these more chatty vlogs. And yes, please do a week of workouts! As someone who enjoys working out (although I do it from home) it's always nice to see what my fav creators are doing in the gym. It's both motivation and inspiration!

What an excellent chat. You bring such good points to the conversation. I'm going through a challenging season and I've been mindlessly scrolling through social media and it can be an hour before I know realize it. This happens several times a day. Using social media as a distraction is a waste of time that could be spent reading, taking a walk, or doing something else more rewarding. I will make a pack to seriously cut that down this month and hopefully forever.

More people should do videos like this. How to repleace cheap dopamine ! Found it refreshing since I think that deep down we ALL know we need this. For us and for chindren/teens as well

Yasssss!! I got rid if Insta in like 2015 but I’ll support you on KZfaq 😂❤

Great tips, thank you!! And yes would love to see a week of your workouts and/or tips for getting into weight training :)

I really needed this reminder about expensive vs cheap domaine - thanks for posting this and sharing your experience ❤

Dates are the best for a sweet treat-if you’ve never tried -slice them open lengthwise so you can stick a walnut in the opening -crunchy and added protein 🥰

Yes, to a week of workouts!

I am moving at the end of this month and the hard thing that I need to do is get rid of stuff. I've been playing your declutter videos while I work and it has been helping me to stay on track. Thank you!

Love this concept of "cheap dopamine" versus committing ourselves to get long term results genuinely. Thank you for this wonderful content, dear Christina! cannot be happier to watch your videos and get inspiration from you

I love the dopamine videos/info you have been sharing. Would love to see more of this 😊

Just what I needed to hear today. Thank you!

Love this video! Never seen a video of yours until now and I immediately subscribed! I’ve been scrolling a lot more and this was a great reminder to take a detox and focus on the harder things that make me feel better instead of the short term feeling like you explained! 🙌🏼

Yes please, have always wanted to see your training routine and how it has evolved over time.xx

This was super helpful, I really appreciated your deep descriptions of this process. I have been trying and failing to do a low buy all year-I did make some progress the past two months though. I am doing no buy July too! Healthy habit replacements are the key to beneficial changes for sure! Also-I've been loving these chatty vlogs!

I love watching your food hauls. You buy such healthy well-rounded foods very similar to what I buy. Also love watching you prepare your meals.

Your content is so interesting and your approach to life is inspiring. Well done! I watch for your videos and learn so much.

Omg your curly hair Looks so beautiful on you!! I think it complements you more clean clothing Style!!!

Thank you so much for this video. Very motivating for me!

You are such a natural vlogger! This video is packed with great points. Thanks for being you!

I enjoyed seeing your Costco haul. I am always on the lookout for great finds from there. Unfortunately not all Costcos have the same stuff. You are right that it is a project when you get home finding room for everything, etc.

My derivative from my No Buy April was very interesting: I actually realised that I have my basics covered and don’t want to buy “many & cheap” any more. I am really ready for saving up for the quality things it can be one blazer or another item a month, but I want quality choices. It hit me only after that No Buy month, before that my mentality was just the opposite (despite hearing often about “less is more”). 🤷🏼‍♀️🙌🏻

I recently experienced a failure/setback and before watching this video I decided to uninstall Instagram and Reddit to try and stop the comparison/overthinking game. Then I watched this video and it just felt like a sign that I did the right thing. So my hard thing is going to be trying to accomplish the thing I recently failed at! I need to heal my relationship with it and maybe this mindset of doing hard things leading to dopamine is just what I need over restoring to these quick hits. That and keeping up with my running journey because I'm shocked at how already I've improved so much and I enjoy doing it.

Yessss! Love your vlogs so much, they’re so well edited (but not fake) and interesting even when you’re just showing us home chores 😊

You’ve inspired me to start weight training! It’s been the best thing ever for my body and mental health. I’d love to hear more about how you’ve been progressing and more about how you eat-I struggle to get enough fibre and protein 😬

i’ve been thinking about coloring?!!! i might try that this summer

I'm so happy I just got back into reading! Pulled out my Kindle and found a few good books, on it now all the time

Just wanted to pop back on here after watching it this morning. I’ve been putting off my exercise as usual but decided to do a few basic arm weights and squats after watching this. You explained it well about how those things are harder to motivate yourself to do but they do make you feel better afterwards unlike the scrolling that makes me feel rubbish afterwards. Thank you 😊

This was SO inspiring. I have a huge TikTok problem and it takes me HOURS to get my day started because I’m so distracted. My attention span has gone to crap. I was even struggling to get through this 15 min video 😭 Today I start my cheap dopamine detox! 🤘🏼

I agree, going to the gym has been the best for my mental health, though I still struggle with it regularly. I really like feeling at least physically strong if I can't always lock down th hatch on my crazy tank... 😅

Your hair is very cute wavy. I swear every time I do a "no buy", an appliance breaks. This month, it was the washing machine. I'm better off doing a low buy every month.

For the last few years I've given myself yearly reading challenges, I love to read (and audiobooks count) so it's not crazy hard, but it's so nice to stick to something for an entire year and have a go to activity if I don't know what else to do. And I can feel really proud of myself for making a dent in my tbr list!

Oh wow. I needed this. Summer events and outings all give me an easy “excuse” to buy. But it needs to stop. Thank you. I’m off to write my alternative list of things to do. Thanks. And seriously, wow in the gym. No gentle work outs there.

thanks for being open about this topic and sharing your tips and motivation! I have this with shopping & binge watching too. Luckily I do get off of it again naturally somehow but would love to try doing it as a challenge for a month to see what comes up on the other site if being consistent 🙂

Thank you so much for this, Christina! I don’t think cheap and expensive dopamine was a new concept to me, but I think I completely forgot about it and have forgotten how to actually provide my own dopamine, as you explained it. This was so helpful!❤

I finally have an explanation of why the more I buy, the more I would buy! Thank you!

Hi Christina! I'll definitely be joining a no-buy July 🎉 also, I would love a video on your week workouts, perhaps if you could share your high protein snacks/meals of choice that'd also be great, I struggle a lot for new ideas there 😂

Love the detox! I never feel good about myself after scrolling social media

Great video, just found your videos, they’re so relatable.

In the second half of the year I want to keep on healthy eating, exercising and resting poperly and I want to start introducing some artsy hobbies in the evening, starting with some piano playing. Thabk you for the motivation 😊😊😊

Would love to see workout content! Also, really loved your hair curly and natural. Ever wear it that way? I thought it was so cute half up! Lastly, I read that book. So good. Would love to hear your thoughts when you have finished it.

Girl you are a POWERHOUSE in the gym!! Those Bulgarian split squats made my jaw drop, and your gym has some really cool unique stuff I’ve never seen before! Also loving the vlog style 😊 I did a no-spend from October through April of this past year and it was super fulfilling, my spending has gotten a bit out of control the last few months so I need to reign it in, but I’m going to try to do no spend for at least the rest of July and August as well 😊

Topic of video starts at 3:46

YES to a week of your workouts! Would love that!

Yes, I am very interested in your workouts for the week and beginner tips would be a great bonus. Love your grocery haul too, looks just like mine.

Really enjoyed this! My dopamine hit while dusting.😉 I can really relate to what you are saying. I too did errands today with no makeup. Sometimes you just have to get it done and forget the makeup👍🏻

Your timing is always impeccable. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Xx

A challenging habit I need to get back to is rebounding on our rebounder. Rebounded every second day during 2020 and 2021, but need to get back to it as it is so good for bone health. Thank you for your video!😊

I'm happy to see that you eat so well. I eat many of the same foods. Nutritious food is so key to healthy cells, microbiome, DNA, immunity, etc. Also that you work out consistently. Keep that up and you will live long and well! I read Outlive last winter. Great book!

A week of workouts would be great, and some advice from your trainer as well ❤

I’ve been wanting to start lifting for so long, but I keep letting my thoughts stop me. Would love to hear rom you and your coach! Thanks for another great video!

I don't have any social media accounts such as Instagram or Facebook. Never did. I think my problem is that I need to detox from KZfaq influencers and my retail store accounts. I hear your words loud and clear and it is about time I take action. I am in for a no buy July and August. I want to start reading more novels and figuring out other meaningful things I can get involved with. Thanks for your inspiration.

Thank you! I needed that message today! Inspirational for sure! ❤❤❤

It’s blown my mind that milk comes in bags in Canada!

This resonates! More content like this please, to keep us all accountable :)

I really needed this kind of motivation. I've just started my maternity leave, so there's no income for me for the next like year... I really need to stop being tempted to spend money on "short dopamine" stuff

Great vlog! ❤️ I have a few ideas: learn to cook healthy so I don't grab for sugar all the time, learn a new make-up (having fun painting your own face with cosmetics 💄🤡🤣) aaaand... quite a few more... But decluttering my flat and reorganizing things has been so goood for my brain recently 😍

Yes weekly Work out routine👍

I loved this video. Very thought provoking. Thank you for your vulnerability!

I don't shop except for food and clothes when I need them. My "problem❤" is kids and grandkids who love to give me stuff. So I'm going to start a travel/outing fund with each, whatever they add, I'll match. Then we can make memories and not add to my already large assortment of birthday and Christmas trinkets.

Just deleted the Amazon app from my phone! Thank you I needed this.

Perfect timing!!!

Oh yay!!! And constantly scraping off hard pan might mean it’s easy to pan :)

Yes to the work out week and if you want to share some go to smoothie, it would be nice (I struggle with my fruit/veggie intake so some new ideas are more than welcome). As an ADHEDer I can relate to how is difficult to switch for longer term dopamine, but seeing that I'm not the only one is somehow refreshing😅 I'll try to work out more often, and start with some audiobook so I can start reading again with some extra baby steps in the beginning

Very valuable advice - and a good reminder to get back to the gym too.

I love your vlogs ❤

Thank you for keeping it real

Wow I am impressed about your pull ups, I always wanted to do one but feel not strong enough. Any tips to get to your level? Loved all the tips great video

A WEEK OF WORKOUTS!! 🥳🥳🥳

Thank you so much for this video, so timely for me! ❤

Milk does not come in bags here in Alberta. I always never understood why. Also I love those wraps and that wild rice! Yum! 🤤 love me a Costco haul! ❤ will also eat cottage cheese with everything.

p.s. dry apricots make a delicious after dinner treat, too (^^♪

I just realized I haven’t purchased any clothing or shoes so far this month. So I think I’m going to do a no buy myself. I only bought necessary things. We did just get Netflix for free for two years. We’ve never had it. And we watch tv in the evenings. And everything has been reruns. So we’re happy to have it. I did just order a treadmill from QVC. My husband will find out when it arrives. It’s way too hot to walk outside where I live right now. And it was super cheap. So I’m not worried about that. It’s like the walking pad with a handle. I’m older and don’t want to break my neck just walking without something to hold onto.

Really enjoyed this vlog Christina :)

That rice; I add it to my regular rice, for the extra texture 😋

Would love to see a week of workouts.

i also call these "expensive dopamine" activities "type 2 fun". i also love gymming/running. and when i power-clean the house ♥️ i tried a no-buy 6mo in order to get rid of my student loans. i did end up spending ~230$, but i still paid off my student loans a month earlier than i expected. lessons: i still need to detox, but the purchases made at least were very intentional.