🌿 things I bought that just… felt right ✨
I have this little framework I use before I buy anything that isn’t a necessity 🧠 I ask myself if it’s a “contingent want” or a “pure want.” A contingent want is something I only want because of a specific situation, like a trend, an event, or a mood 🌀 A pure want is something I’d want regardless of circumstance, it’s just genuinely me 💫
The purchase in this post passed that test 🌱 it wasn’t an impulse buy or a “treat yourself” moment I regretted later, it was chosen well 💚 that feeling when something fits so naturally into your life that it barely registers as a purchase, it just feels like it was always supposed to be there 🕊️
I keep a running wishlist for exactly this reason 📝 anything I want goes on it first, and if I still want it weeks later (and it passes the pure want test 🌸) that’s when I actually buy it. no guilt, no clutter, just things that feel intentional ☺️🍃
what’s something you bought recently that felt “chosen well”? 🤍
When I first started applying the framework of differentiating between 'pure wants' and 'contingent wants,' it completely changed the way I shop and how I feel about my purchases. For example, earlier this year I decided to buy the Sep Oil Sucker by Natasha Denona after seeing it in multiple beauty reviews. Instead of rushing to purchase it during a sale, I added it to my running wishlist and gave myself weeks to reflect on whether it genuinely fit the 'pure want' category or if I was simply caught up in a trend or hype. What made this product stand out was that it aligned perfectly with my skincare routine and values. It wasn’t just a random impulse buy; it was an intentional addition that I felt would naturally integrate into my daily life. When the time came, buying it felt effortless and right, not just a temporary satisfaction but a lasting presence in my collection. This approach has helped me avoid cluttering my space with items that don't truly serve me or add value. It’s about cultivating awareness and respecting my own needs instead of succumbing to fleeting moods or external pressures. Keeping a wishlist as a space to pause and revisit my desires has been incredibly useful, especially for beauty and lifestyle items where trends can be particularly persuasive. I encourage others to try this method—write down what you want, wait, and reflect. If after weeks or months you still want it, and it aligns with your true self and needs, then go for it confidently. No guilt, no regret, just well-chosen, intentional things that feel right at home in your life.