The Art of Savoring

Day 01 of 12 :: Sipping slow cocoa and an antidote to overconsumption

Everything around us these days pushes us to rush and react... Especially around the holidays.

Sales come with lightning ferocity, push us with scarcity, and pull us with the fear of missing out.

Social media is scientifically gamified to feed us dopamine hits and get us to hit that buy button. Again and again and again.

Photo by Kier in Sight Archives on Unsplash

Y’all I’m tired.

I am so tired of the ads and the constant bells and blinking lights designed to trap my brain into buying stuff I don’t need.

It is a deep soul weariness that makes me want to retreat to a cabin in the woods. I’ve settled for Olympic-level unsubscribing and turning off my devices.

Honestly, this year I’ve been so tired I didn’t even have the heart to market the art that I myself made. I didn’t want to add more noise.

But is “Underconsumption” the Answer?

Underconsumption core has become a named trend on social media this year as prices continue to squeeze so many of us.

(If you’re not on Tiktok or Instagram, this is a trend where people show off the used stuff they are using up rather than elaborate buying hauls. Growing up I was taught that was just making wise choices, but now it’s trendy. 😆)

No-buy and low-buy years are staging a comeback as well. Minimalism and simple living are going strong. But is radical restriction the best answer?

Here’s the deal… I’ve tried at least 3 no-buy years and have epically failed every single time... Usually by January 10th.

It hit me a few weeks ago.

When trying to change a behavior (like buying extra stuff), focusing on the negative (don’t buy extra stuff) can keep us stuck in the old behavior because a “don’t” still focuses our attention on what we want to avoid, rather than on where we want to go.

In other words, if I say don’t think of a purple polka-dotted unicorn, what do you immediately think of? A purple polka-dotted unicorn. 🦄 Duh. I bet it’s a cute unicorn though.

But if I say think of a brown racing horse, you think of a brown racing horse.

Our brains are much better equipped to make changes based on a positive direction.

What if the answer to too much wasn’t more stringency? What if it was more savoring?

What if the answer wasn’t focusing on deprivation, but leaning into delight?

What if the key to a simpler, more grounded, more wonder-filled life wasn’t in focusing on what not to do, but rather on what we want more of?

The Art of Savoring

Instead of focusing on restrictions like a no-buy year, 2025 is a year I am trying something different.

Starting this Christmas season, I’ve been focused on savoring.

I didn’t update my stash with new decorations, I reconfigured the ones I already had. And they have become my absolute favorite holiday setup ever. Simple. Elegant. Easy.

Sometimes in the rush, we rush right past fully enjoying what we already have.

That berry wreath on the table was a garland I deconstructed to make a wreath and sprigs for the mantle.

Savor is my framing word for 2025.

Enjoying completely the things I have. Focusing on that which is enough.

Slowing down to appreciate more fully the beautiful moments all around me here, even as I plan to move north.

What if the opposite of consumption and consumerism is simply to savor what we already have?

To savor. To taste fully. To appreciate fully by dwelling in. To slow down enough so we can soak in all the goodness of what is already there.

The art of savoring is found in slowing down when the world around speeds up.

Muscling your way through works only for so long because muscles eventually fatigue.

But leaning into the hush rather than the rush, there such rich things can be found.

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Let’s Practice Together

Here’s a simple way to practice savoring.

I call this The Slow Sip.

Next time you have your favorite hot beverage take 5 minutes and feel the warmth as you hold the cup.

If you are making the coffee or brewing the tea, focus on watching each step. Enjoy the smell of the beans or the color that develops from the tea bag.

Feel the steam on your face as it rises when you lift the cup to drink.

Notice the layers of flavors and their complexity.

Luxuriate in the moment.

Perhaps you’ll find this to be true for you as well… ⬇️

When I am present in the joy of the moment—in that moment, I am truly rich.

Wishing you a holiday filled with little moments of great joy to savor deeply.