When I moved house about four years ago, I decluttered a lot because I was moving into a smaller home with a smaller room. At that time, I had no choice but to let go of many things, and it actually felt quite refreshing to start with less. My space felt lighter, and it was easier to keep things organised.
Over time, my room has gradually become cluttered again, and I don’t want to go back to the person I used to be at my old house, surrounded by so many things to declutter, especially if I ever move again in the future. At the time of purchase, many of these items felt useful or exciting, but now I realise I already have more than enough.
So this year, I’m focusing on buying less and being more intentional with what I bring into my space. One way I’m doing that is by setting clear boundaries on what I won’t be buying in 2026.
Stationery
I already have more than enough stationery, and many of them are still unused or only partially used. It’s easy to get tempted by cute designs or new releases, but I want to shift my focus to slowly using up what I already own. Instead of collecting more pens and markers, I want to enjoy the ones I have and make sure they don’t go to waste.
Planners
I’ve realised that I’m not a very consistent planner. I love the idea of planning, and buying a new planner or notebook to bullet journal always feels exciting. However, many of them end up only partially used. Rather than continuing this cycle, I want to stop buying planners and make use of simpler methods that suit my habits better.
Makeup
Since I don’t wear makeup every day, even having just one item per makeup category, can last me a very long time, sometimes until it expires. Buying more before finishing what I already have would only result in many products being barely used. So this year, my goal is to use up my current makeup products and only replace them when absolutely necessary.
Bags
I already own more bags than I regularly use. Some of them were bought because they matched my aesthetic or felt useful at the time, but realistically, I rotate between only a few favourites, that match most of my outfits and styles. Instead of adding more to my collection, I want to appreciate the bags I already have and make better use of them.
Clothes
My wardrobe is already quite full, and there are many pieces that I don’t wear often. Buying more clothes would only make it harder to keep my wardrobe organised. So this year, I want to focus on wearing what I already own, rediscovering forgotten pieces, and making the most of my current wardrobe.
Collectables
I love collecting Sanrio items, and they bring me a lot of joy. However, for now, the display on my bedside table feels just right and complete. Buying more collectables would make the display look crowded, and I don’t have extra space in other areas of my room to display them properly. Instead of adding more, I want to appreciate the collection I already have and enjoy seeing every day.
In-game purchases
In this current season of my life, I don’t play games every day anymore, not even my ultimate favourite game, MapleStory, which makes spending real money on in-game items not worth. Although it is not something tangible that adds clutter to my room, I would rather save the money for something more meaningful in the future. Last year, I wrote about travelling less and not feeling the urge to constantly seek the next adventure, but now I find myself wanting to travel more. As I’ve always mentioned, life is an ongoing journey, and I believe it’s natural for our desires to change, even if they differ from what we once wanted.
By choosing not to buy these items in 2026, I hope to reduce clutter in my room and feel more content with what I already own, while slowly saving towards experiences that matter more to me. Setting these boundaries also helps me become more mindful about my spending, by pausing and thinking before making any new purchases. It reminds me that having more things doesn’t always make me happier, sometimes it just makes my space harder to manage.