Tomorrow, Sat 24th is International Buy Nothing Day. A day to abstain from consuming and to reflect on our purchasing habits.

Buy Nothing Day is about taking a stand against consumerism – an annual revolt against a culture of materialistic hedonism. And the message is simple: shop less, live more. And of course it's not by chance that Buy Nothing Day coincides with the Christmas shopping frenzy.

So why take part? Well changing our habits for one day and pausing to think may trigger a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste. These are some of the things I'll be contemplating this buy nothing day:

Could I make everyday a buy nothing day? I've long been interested in self reliance, although with my DIY skills I probably wouldn't get very far. I do, however, confess to owning a copy of John Seymour's Self-Sufficiency which would come in handy ;-) I've thought about perhaps leaving mainstream society - living on a farm or small holding outside of the city and going it alone. Or joining an intentional community, an eco-village. I think that this could be a very fulfilling experience, but have probably romanticised the idea and would have to look closer at my motives for wanting to escape the city. There is no doubt that communities like Findhorn, Auroville and the Centre for Alternative Technology are producing some pioneering thinking that is contributing to a shift in society. Closer to home we have Berg-en-dal, Khula Dhamma, Lynedoch, Oude Molen, Forest Vale and Tlholego that are teaching us lessons in new sustainable models of living. Maybe it's time to pay them a visit?

Questioning my purchasing motives. Is this a need or is it a desire? Obviously life is not just about just getting by with what we need. We have dreams and desires that need to be fulfilled. But spending a lot of money on something that you don't really need can leave a hollow feeling even just hours after taking ownership. I felt this buying a new cellphone a few months ago. I used to have a Nokia 3310 I used for 5 years as a pay as you go customer, now my camera smartphone costs me between R 300 and R 400 a month and it takes me longer to send an SMS. Does materialism lead to a fulfilling life?

Being more mindful of how a product is produced. I'm quite mindful when it comes to food, but there are more questions I can ask about other purchases. Who made it and under what circumstances? Who stands to benefit if I buy this and who stands to lose out? How was it manufactured and transported? What are the other environmental or health impacts? Spending close to R1000 for a fashionable pair of running shoes made using sweatshop labour that will last for 18 months (if you're lucky) is causing more harm than good. Often there aren't suitable or affordable alternatives but a lot of the time there is. I would like to spend more of my money supporting ethical companies and initiatives.

Uncluttering. We own too much. If you've done some spring cleaning and given things away (try freecycle) you'll notice how your home somehow feels more energetic. Clutter and accumulation could be blocking a flow of energy in your life. I am a hoarder so this is an area I really need to work on. I cleared out the shed only a few weeks ago and already those piles are heaping up...

Giving more to family, friends, charity. Consuming is not only money consuming but also time-consuming and takes valuable time away that could be investing in other areas of life. Giving more attention to our partners, children, families and friends. Time for chatting with neighbours. Giving back to our community. I'd like to give more money to good causes.

Creating the gift economy. I'm interested in new ways of doing business in the 21st Century. Capitalism and it's institutions aren't sustainable. Life is about pleasing more than shareholders. The Co-operatives Act of 2005 looks promising in providing a for-profit vehicle that can benefit communities and can be run according to an an ethical constitution. I believe in the principals of co-creation, collaboration and The Commons. Wikipedia is used by over 40 million people every month yet to date only 27 063 (and counting) have contributed financially so far. Not even 1%. All it takes is R70 and 10 minutes.

Questioning conventional money. I probably will still be shopping tomorrow, but I won't be paying in Rands so I won't consider it consuming in the conventional sense. No I'm not jetting off to New York for the weekend to spend dollars. Instead I'll be popping down to the Novalis Ubuntu Centre and supporting one of the Community Exchange System (CES) markets using my Talents instead. The CES is an international trading network using a currency other than our familiar Rands. It's an alternative currency system not based on indebtedness to corporate banking institutions. I've managed to buy some really useful items and services on the exchange or at markets including seedling trays, seeds and plants, garden design, a headset for skype, library membership, web design, logo design, baby basket, naturopath consultation & herb tea.

So Buying Nothing for one day is not really the point. For me it's a prompt to question the system we are part of and think about small changes we can make in our purchasing habits and day-to-day lives that will make the world a better place. It's about becoming more aware, a challenge to raise my consciousness. Rather than complaining about the state of affairs it's empowering knowing that there are small things that we can do, that if adopted by enough people will make the world a radically different place.

Thoughts by local bloggers on Buy Nothing Day:

Relax with Dax
Mother City Living
Carbon Copy
Better World Blog
Ethical Co-op