In a world where influencers flaunt their latest purchases like trophies on social media, Elysia Berman had a groundbreaking epiphany. After drowning in a sea of vintage designer clothes and a credit card debt that could fund a small revolution, she decided to hit the brakes—hard. Enter her year of abstinence from consumerism, affectionately dubbed the ‘no-buy year’.

You know Elysia. She’s your typical millennial content creator with an aesthetic that screams, “I shop at thrift stores, but also could buy the entire Marc Jacobs runway.” But after spending more on clothes than some people’s rent, she realized that the thrill of adding more flammable fabrics to her already stuffed closet wasn’t exactly a sustainable life choice.

Ironically, in a society that idolizes excess, Elysia flipped the script. She’s ditching her shopping habits colder than your ex’s heart and has promised to spend the next 12 months living like it’s 1999—when battered jeans and flannel were the hottest trends, and debt wasn’t a fashion statement. If you think that sounds easy, just wait until you try to avoid temptation in a toxic relationship with your favorite online retail therapy sites.

So what does a year without buying entail? No new clothes, no trendy gadgets, and definitely no impulse buys from corner stores while waiting for your avocado toast. Instead, Elysia is embracing thrift, barter, and the nostalgic art of making do with what you already have. What a revolutionary concept!

Social media has already caught wind of her plan, and while some followers are cheering her on like she’s launching an eco-friendly spaceship, others are more skeptical. “Isn’t this just a way to boost engagement?” they ask. Maybe, but if it helps her pay off that five-figure debt while going viral, who can blame her?

Elysia’s journey is a ringing endorsement for all of us who’ve lost our way chasing the capitalist dream, proving that sometimes, taking a step back from the glitz and glam can lead to a clearer path. So here’s to a year of self-reflection, spending restraint, and, let’s face it, the potential for an explosion of thrifted ‘outfits of the day’. Because why pay full price when you can have a closet full of memories instead? Let the ‘no-buy year’ commence!