Feeling the shift you can sustain

We rush headlong into promises of that better version of ourselves, forgetting that the school holidays last longer than most resolutions. I believe the lack of staying power could lie in the way we're framing them. These promises we make ourselves are more than resolutions, they're a system reset.

The changes and goals we contemplate often focus on our wellbeing: we want to save money, to move our bodies and exercise more, to eat healthier. When I look at how we actually achieve our goals, I realise that changes needed for our wellbeing and for a circular economy are much the same.

The decision to save money is often our first stand for our wellbeing. Writing this as Black Friday is still in full swing feels ironic. It's no wonder we try to reset the system when the system shows up as a juggernaut of consumerism. Black Friday and sales like it are designed to make us feel like we're lacking something. They try (and often succeed) to tie our self-worth to a purchase and make money from our insecurities. The fear of missing out and our love of a bargain triggers our impulse to purchase. However, Consumer NZ has consistently found not all deals are a good deal at this time of year. They recommend websites such as PriceSpy and PriceMe to track sales and learn when pricing is actually lower, instead of getting pulled in by the urgency of the sales pitch.

Studies in neuroscience highlight that dopamine, a key motivation and reward neurotransmitter, peaks when something is expected, but not yet certain. Dopamine surges when we're browsing, window shopping or even just researching an item. Once the item is purchased, the dopamine signal that drove the desire quickly decreases. This is why the high of buying an item is often fleeting, and one of the reasons you'll see items for sale in second-hand shops and marketplaces described as "brand new with tags". We can save ourselves the money, and the buyer's remorse, by delaying the purchase, allowing the initial rush of anti