How to lean into a ‘less is more’ Fall when we live in a ‘more is more’ culture
Mind, body, wallet: How to create an abundant season by eliminating all the extra fluff.
Let me de-influence you.
I used to think that things would fix me. That like maybe if I had the right [fill in the blank] I’d feel more me somehow. More alive. More embodied.
Highly influenced by influencers and peers, I was eager to emulate.
And although it’s true (they had something I wanted) it wasn’t the clothes. Or the purse. Or the nails.
It was their whole vibe. Confidence in their look. Confidence in themselves. Confidence all around.
For much of my 20s, I described myself to people as ‘half baked’. Like a cookie that was still mushy on the inside — a lot of promise to be good, but not quite there yet.
So I grasped at anything that I thought would make me look (and more importantly feel) like I had it all together.
Big, pricy, shiny Band-Aids.
Sure, I rode that buyer’s high for a second. But the thrill was inherently cheap. Because it wasn’t authentic to me.
What I’m talking about is the unspoken version of people pleasing. Wanting to be liked without having to say anything at all.
Now, I can tell you that *not* buying the thing you think you need to show other people how cool you are is exactly how you strengthen your relationship with self.
And by doing so, you shift your perspective from lack (what I need) to appreciation (all that I have).
I guess what I’m also trying to say is this: put your money where your authenticity is.
You worked hard for that paycheck. Let your buying habits reflect the respect you have for your work and yourself.
If it’s true that everything is energy, and the energy around the thing you bought is to be someone you’re not, you’ll feel it — and everyone else will too.
For those of you also recovering from the idea that ‘more is more’, here’s what’s been helping me let go.
Beauty
Audit your 10-step skincare routine. I know skincare is highly personal, but try to narrow it down to 1-3 hero products. It’ll save you money in the long run and room in your travel bag.
Embrace your natural nails. I used to get my nails done all the time. It was something I did with my sisters and friends but it was costly to maintain and a huge time suck. I invested in a chic nail file and a pot of cuticle cream instead and I love the way my natural nails look now than I ever did when they were painted.
Word on the street is full coverage makeup is out and tinted moisturizers are in. Using a small amount to tint the skin vs a full coverage product will save you many trips to Ulta.
Speaking of makeup, I traded in my Urban Decay and Two Faced products for natural/unscented makeup like Ilia, Kosas, etc. a long time ago. This isn’t necessarily a cost-savings hack, but a health one. Your skin is your largest organ and it absorbs everything you put on it. Make sure it’s non-tox to avoid hormonal imbalances and skin irritation.
Opt for comfortable and well made clothing over tight and cheap. When making clothing purchases, I’ve traded trends for sustainable, well made swaps. It can be so easy to get sucked into wanting to look on-trend, but check the labels first — both for the price and material composition. Fast fashion doesn’t have a long shelf life. And if it’s trendy, it will likely only be worn for a season.
Nutrition
I’m an adventurous eater and I love to engage my tastebuds, especially when I’m out traveling. But for the case of simplifying, find the foods that you feel THE BEST on and stick to that. If you don’t feel great when you eat chips, don’t buy the chips. Simple as that.
Stop when you’re full. No need to keep eating just because it’s yummy. Tell that monkey mind of yours that you can have more food when your stomach is ready for more (with love).
Kiss the middle isles goodbye 👋🏻 — you’ll save yourself money and a stomach ache if you stick to single ingredients and avoid processed snacks.
Eat beans. Okay, I know this might sound like a weird one but check out the bean protocol. Eating beans daily can help bind bile containing toxins from the body and flush it away. A can of beans is usually less than a dollar and have a ton of health benefits.
For the love of all things beautiful DRINK WATER!
Sober October? Alcohol has never really jived well with my body so this is an easy one for me. Drinks can hike up your bill and give you a slew of unwanted hormonal imbalances, sleep disturbances, weight gain, anxiety, depression, acne… need I say more?
Romanticize meals at home. Put on some jazz and enjoy the process of making meals that will nourish your body, mind & spirit.
Socializing
Tis the season of chai tea lattes and social gatherings. The summer slam has slowed and friends you haven’t seen for months suddenly want to grab cozy coffees or dinners out.
For those of you who don’t want to miss out on friend time but are on a budget, consider these options instead:
Take a color tour. Catch up on a walk or hike in your favorite part of town.
Gather for a pumpkin carving night. Pumpkins typically run about $5–$7 each, depending on size — an easy way to have some festive fun without spending much.
Host a soup swap. Everyone makes a pot of their favorite soup, then you trade jars and handwritten recipes! Cute, right?
Meet some friends at the Farmer’s Market. Stock up on seasonal veggies or soak up the hustle and bustle without spending much at all.
Plan a book exchange. Wrap a favorite book and gift it in an exchange. This is a fun way to expand your reading list and share stories with the one you love.
Potluck / gratitude gathering. Okay so I’m not trying to copy Thanksgiving, but I think it would be so fun to have a few friends over to share a meal (potluck style) and take a moment for each person to share one thing they’re thankful for this season.
Tech
I feel like this might be low hanging fruit at this point, but yes. Let’s cut screen time. Less consuming of all the news. All the things. I’m more likely to want to buy something someone is selling online if my brain is already numb.
Go analog. ⏰ Don’t get sucked into ‘catching up’ on everything you missed by reaching for your phone first thing in the morning. Instead, leave it charging in the bathroom and use an old fashioned alarm clock instead.
Trade your AirPods for corded earphones. Ugh, this was a hard one for me, but it’s time we stop pickling our brains with radiation.
Home
Fall weather is probably one of the most special things to me. There’s always a light breeze, swirling crisp fallen leaves into little tornadoes of orange and gold. Every morning, I do something I like to call changing the air — I open all the windows first thing, letting that cool, fresh air move through every room. Not only does this save money on your energy bills, but removes the old, stale air (gross).
If you’re itching to change things around in your home — thrift. I read an excellent substack post the other day on how to intuitively choose, cleanse and style thrifted goods to make it your own.
Personal libraries are important. Which is why I love a second hand bookstore. I love the feel of a well worn book. The markings on the pages that were dog-eared for a later time carry so much history. If you’re itching to add something new to your collection, try a second hand bookstore or libraries with bargain basements.
Mind
Okay so funny story: I used to think I had to take a super expensive brain vitamin in order to focus.
Yup, dead serious. I’ve always struggled with brain fog and would get distracted easily at work. So for a long time (I mean like years), I would take a daily brain/focus supplement to get anything done.
Now, I save that money and do this instead:
Brain dump / journal daily. Every morning, I sit with my lemon water and get everything out of my head and onto the page. Things I’m worried about, working through, stressed about, excited for, grateful for, it’s all there. I’ve found if I’m able to get it out of me, it doesn't continue to eat away at me for the rest of the day.
Meditation. Sometimes it’s guided. Sometimes it’s a visualization. Sometimes it’s just me with my eyes closed. But I make time for a contemplative practice. Thinking about thoughts. This is my way of managing my limbic system so my limbic system doesn’t manage me.
Abundance walks. No music. No podcast. Just me noticing nature. Seeing the beauty in the simplicity and intricacy that is all around.
My hope is that you walk away knowing that having it all doesn’t have to look like you have it all.
And lastly — *deep breath* thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you for reading. 🫶🏻
Until next week.