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Living more simply isn’t just about decluttering our homes. It’s about removing excess from our routines, habits, and spending so we can create more space for what truly matters. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed that many of the things I used to purchase were driven by convenience, trends, or marketing, rather than any real value they added to my life.
Letting go of certain purchases has helped me cut down on waste, reduce decision fatigue, save money, and support a lifestyle that feels lighter and more intentional. Below is a list of things I no longer buy, why letting go of them matters, and what I’ve substituted instead to support a simpler and more sustainable way of living.
Trendy Clothes
Fast fashion revolves around constantly changing trends, cheap fabrics, and the pressure to keep up. It fills closets quickly and often leads to guilt and clutter.
What I use instead:
Timeless basics made from natural fibers, secondhand clothing, and versatile layers I can mix and match. Buying fewer pieces made to last keeps my wardrobe simple and reduces waste.
Plastic Containers
Plastic food storage stains, breaks down over time, and contributes to environmental pollution.
What I use instead:
Glass jars, glass storage containers with silicone lids, and stainless steel lunch boxes. They last for years, don’t hold odors, and are recyclable. I love that these don’t get stained as the plastic containers do. It used to drive me nuts when I would store spaghetti sauce, which would permanently stain the plastic. Yuck!
Plastic water bottles
I used to buy a lot of single-serve water from the store as well. But single-use plastic bottles are expensive over time and harmful to the planet.
What I use instead:
A stainless steel or glass reusable bottle filled from home. A simple filter pitcher works if the tap water needs improving.
CDs and DVDs
Most media has gone digital, and physical discs take up space and rarely get used once purchased.
What I use instead:
I listen to digital music and streaming platforms, or borrow media from the library when I want something specific without long-term ownership.
Magazines
Magazines accumulate quickly and are often skimmed once before being tossed or recycled.
What I use instead:
Online articles, digital magazine subscriptions through the library, and blogs. This reduces paper waste and clutter around the house.
High heels
For many, including me, heels are uncomfortable, impractical, and often purchased for style rather than true function.
What I use instead:
Barefoot-style flats, supportive sneakers, and versatile dress shoes that work for multiple occasions. It cuts down on shoe storage and foot pain.
Disposable plates, cups, and utensils
These items generate tons of waste and are often used for convenience rather than necessity.
What I use instead:
Real plates and utensils for everyday use and small gatherings, plus compostable or bamboo options when disposables are necessary.
Dryer sheets or fabric softeners
Dryer sheets and fabric softeners add chemicals to clothing, create waste, and aren’t great for sensitive skin.
What I use instead:
Wool dryer balls, which reduce static, last for years, and shorten drying time. And white vinegar in the rinse cycle for softness and odor control. I love my wool dryer balls! They really do reduce that static!
Excess makeup
Makeup trends encourage constant buying, but most products don’t get used before expiring.
What I use instead:
A minimalist makeup kit with a few daily essentials. Buying less means better-quality items and less bathroom clutter.
Lots of hair products
Many hair products simply aren’t necessary and create bathroom buildup and storage chaos.
What I use instead:
A gentle shampoo and conditioner, a leave-in treatment if needed, and occasional natural oils. The routine is simple, affordable, and effective.
Souvenirs
Souvenirs often end up as dust collectors rather than meaningful keepsakes.
What I use instead:
Photos, journals, or practical items like food or postcards. The memories stay without creating extra clutter. For the theatre work I do, I buy the show t-shirts. Those shirts get worn for decades and become a part of my wardrobe.
Paper cupcake liners
These get used once and thrown away.
What I use instead:
Silicone baking cups or a well-oiled muffin tin. They’re reusable, easy to wash, and last for years.
Air fresheners
Most air fresheners release synthetic fragrances and chemicals, and only mask problems rather than improve air quality. This also includes many synthetically fragranced candles. I find that I am sensitive to many of these synthetic scents as well. So opting for natural scents is better for my sensory sensitivities.
What I use instead:
Essential oil diffusers, simmer pots, beeswax candles, houseplants, and open windows. These options purify air naturally and add pleasant scents without harmful additives.
Sparkling water
I’ll be honest…I love a good sparkling water. And I used to spend a LOT of money buying it. And while sparkling water is fun, the cans create consistent waste, and the cost adds up quickly.
What I use instead:
Filtered water, herbal teas, fruit-infused water, or a SodaStream-style carbonator if bubbles are a must.
Jewelry
Jewelry often ends up unworn, tangled, or lost after the initial excitement fades. There was a point in time when I had an obscene amount of cheap jewelry in my jewelry chest. But I didn’t wear most of it.
What I use instead:
A minimalist capsule collection of pieces that I purchased that I truly love and wear often. Buying fewer pieces reduces spending and decision fatigue. I have a few pieces that are heirlooms. Those pieces mean a great deal to me, and I love having them in my collection. They remind me of important people in my life.
Soft drinks
Soft drinks are expensive, full of sugar or artificial sweeteners, and are habit-forming. Let me say that many years ago, I was a soft drink junkie. I drank mostly diet drinks. And I could feel how the artificial sweeteners were impacting me. But I drank them anyway. Once I started Simple Clean Living and started removing artificial sweeteners and excess sugar from my life, the soft drinks had to go!
What I use instead:
Water, herbal iced tea, or lemon water. These are hydrating, low-sugar, and inexpensive.
Coffee shop coffee
Daily coffee runs are a major budget leak and create single-use waste. Many of the coffee shop coffees also contain high amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners.
What I use instead:
When I want a cup of coffee now, I brew coffee at home with a French press or pour-over. Reusable mugs make it easy to take coffee on the go without trash.
Simple living is about liberation, not deprivation
Choosing not to buy certain things isn’t about restriction. It’s about freeing yourself from unnecessary consumption, clutter, and stress. Each time we stop buying an item that no longer serves us, we make room for what genuinely matters, whether that’s better health, more free time, a cleaner environment, or financial breathing room.
Living simply is personal, and everyone’s list will look different. But reducing excess in even a few areas can have a surprisingly positive impact on daily life.
