I quit Amazon...

I quit Amazon (audio)Sorted Bliss

4:17

One year ago I quit my Amazon subscription. I’m not gonna lie- when the idea first crept in, it felt impossible.

My kids needed something for school? Add to cart.

I noticed a cleaning product was low or out? Add to cart.

I saw an influencer in a cute outfit or with an enviable product hack? Add to cart.

It felt so convenient and necessary… until it didn’t.

The packages at the door I needed to unpack and give a home or put to use.

The confusion when a package showed up I couldn’t recall why I ordered it.

The boxes I needed to break down to fit in the recycle bin.

The massive quantities I’d have to find space for because most things came in bulk.

The disappointment when an item was lower quality than expected.

The multiple returns I’d have piling up in the car.

The frustration around finding the right "drop off” nearest to my routine routes.

The varying return windows I’d need to remember or lose money.

The donations I’d need to drop off for the items that didn’t make the “return window.”

The surprise and sometimes guilt I’d feel seeing how much I was spending for convenience.

It all started to add up- and not in the right column. Amazon convenience was definitely starting to feel like a con, not a pro in my busy life. I was also recognizing how much of my quarterly declutter and donation pile contained Amazon products. I noticed how much longer I seemed to keep and value the things I didn’t get from Amazon. When I shop in person, I’m so particular. I pay attention to quality, the fabrics and materials, the color and scale- especially the price for those features.

Those realizations caused me to pause. Was convenience really worth the trade off?

Ultimately, I decided most of the time, no. Once I recognized it, I couldn’t unsee it.

Here’s what I’ve learned a year later, after canceling my Amazon subscription and after deleting the app from my phone:

I’m less impulsive with my shopping.

I have made way less trips to the donation center.

I am buying higher quality items I can use for longer that are in better condition.

I have saved thousands of dollars over the year on products.

My spaces are less cluttered.

I feel less overwhelmed by stuff, errands like returns and donations, and breaking down boxes.

Here’s what I’m doing instead- I’m being more intentional.

I make a list in my phone of things I need to pick up next time I’m at the store.

I’m more resourceful in what I think I “need” to buy and borrow it from a friend.

I wait out the impulse- a lot of time I realize we don’t need the thing at all.

I look for the item at my favorite stores and make shopping a fun experience again.

I use Amazon sparingly… birthday decorations needed?  I log onto the website, make one order, and pay the shipping.

A year ago, when I had the thought of quitting Amazon, it felt crazy. Now, it feels normal again. Nothing got harder, actually, things got easier. Most important, I feel more aligned with my values. My motto has always been to “collect memories, not things.” Quitting Amazon is a no brainer in this area. I live with intention. It was only a matter of time before I started to realize my intention to live an aligned, peaceful and happy life would result in this break up.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed with the amount of stuff you have, the time it takes to interact or care for your things, the errands and tasks you’re not enjoying related to Amazon… let me encourage you to consider breaking up with Amazon too. Try an “Amazon Cleanse” for a month and see how you feel. Ask me questions about it.

Home organization is not just about bins and labels, it's also about how and why you collect things.