From the editor

So far this year, I have refrained from buying anything but the essentials. No new clothing or makeup or shoes or glossy mags or bits of jewellery or books. None of it.

I had been hoping to save money (I have) and time (ditto) and to gain some clarity about what it is I truly like and want to hold on to in this life.

I find owning stuff tiring – it has to be admired and arranged and cleaned and safeguarded. That bargain handbag becomes another commitment 10 minutes after you have bought it.

But even with my desire to free myself from the consumption game, I thought I would get bored making do with what I already owned. The feeling of acquisition is alluring.

Shiny, untouched things hold major appeal. My four-year-old studded sandals with the dangerously worn ankle strap do not.

Unlike the people in today’s cover story by Sharon Stephenson, I have not sworn off shopping for a year – the so-called ‘No Buy Year’ that has become a YouTube phenomenon.

I am just seeing how far I can go without succumbing to the rush of a purchase. Two months feels like a small accomplishment. Six months would feel even better.

Psychologist Nadine Isler says weaning yourself off mindless shopping can lead to personal growth. It sparks creativity and, dare I say it, joy.

Think pink

It can be tricky for adults to wear candy pink without looking like they have been rifling through a tween’s wardrobe. These Adidas Originals Sleek shoes, $150, make the cut. Page 14.