Sustain This! Podcast Summary

Episode: How a No Buy Year Changed Her Life & Healed Her Shopping Addiction (ft Elysia Berman)
Hosts: Alyssa Beltempo, Signe Hansen & Christina Mychas
Guest: Elysia Berman
Release Date: May 20, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Sustain This!, hosts Alyssa Beltempo, Christina Mychas, and Signe Hansen delve deep into the transformative journey of Elysia Berman, a prominent creator with over 185,000 TikTok followers. Elysia shares her heartfelt experience of undertaking a "No Buy Year" to overcome her shopping addiction and eliminate significant debt. This episode offers rich insights into mindful consumption, personal growth, and the pursuit of a more intentional life.

Elysia's Financial Journey and the Catalyst for Change

The conversation kicks off with the revelation that Elysia is just two payments away from being entirely debt-free, a milestone she approaches with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

Elysia Berman [02:06]: "Because my payments are every two weeks, so it's like, it's less than 30 days."

She reflects on the immense burden debt placed on her life, affecting every decision and fostering feelings of fear and anxiety about the future.

Elysia Berman [02:59]: "It ran every aspect of my life. I thought about it each and every single day, and I still wasn't doing anything about it."

Inspired by Christina's own minimalist journey, Elysia began documenting her path toward financial freedom on TikTok with just 150 followers, initially viewing it as a personal diary.

Elysia Berman [03:04]: "I'll just document it to kind of serve as a diary almost."

The Turning Point: Realizing the Depth of Debt

Elysia shares a pivotal moment that underscored the severity of her shopping habits and debt.

Elysia Berman [05:05]: "I left the house with the intention of just getting gloves, right? I set a budget of like a hundred dollars, and I left with a $600 winter coat."

This incident highlighted her impulsive shopping tendencies and reliance on "buy now, pay later" schemes, leading to maxed-out credit cards and additional financial strain.

Elysia Berman [06:44]: "It was pure impulse. I was being driven by impulse."

Emotional Underpinnings of Shopping Addiction

The discussion delves into the emotional reasons behind Elysia's shopping addiction. She reveals that shopping was a coping mechanism to address deeper feelings of inadequacy and a desire to stand out.

Elysia Berman [08:43]: "Every purchase I made was trying to fix something that was broken in me."

By removing shopping from her life, Elysia found fulfillment in personal achievements and meaningful relationships rather than material possessions.

Elysia Berman [09:26]: "I ended up getting a job that's more challenging and exciting, and I feel more important than any job I've ever had before."

Breaking Free: Transitioning to Mindful Consumption

Elysia discusses how eliminating impulsive shopping led her to adopt more intentional habits, extending beyond finances to other aspects of her life, such as reducing alcohol consumption and embracing healthier routines.

Elysia Berman [15:00]: "I've just gone through a bunch of different phases. And I realized how hard it is to get dressed for me now because everything in my closet is a statement piece."

She emphasizes the importance of replacing unhealthy habits with fulfilling activities, such as exercising, which serves as an anchor for her mental health.

Elysia Berman [16:21]: "Exercise is a really good, healthy source of dopamine. It keeps me centered and calm."

Navigating Setbacks and Maintaining Progress

Elysia candidly discusses her setbacks during the no buy year, including occasional impulsive purchases. She distinguishes between intentional and impulsive buying, striving to align her actions with her long-term goals.

Elysia Berman [22:58]: "I'm still in recovery and I'm still figuring out the differences."

Despite challenges, Elysia remains committed to her path, focusing on practicality and intentionality in her purchasing decisions.

Elysia Berman [25:43]: "Practicality is a lens I need to filter things through."

Impact on Personal and Professional Life

Elysia reflects on how her no buy year has influenced her career in the beauty and fashion industry. She discusses the pressure to maintain a certain image and how reducing her shopping has led to a more authentic and fulfilling professional life.

Elysia Berman [36:12]: "I don't want to impress her with my clothes. I already own the clothes. I'm already impressive enough."

She also touches upon the challenges of maintaining professionalism without relying on extravagant fashion, advocating for a balance between personal style and practicality.

Looking Ahead: Financial Freedom and Future Goals

As Elysia approaches debt freedom, she expresses excitement about gaining financial security and reducing her mental load. She looks forward to saving for emergencies and retirement, aiming to create a more stable and intentional life.

Elysia Berman [42:07]: "I'm really excited to save. As my savings go up, I know that's gonna get even better."

Notable Quotes

• Elysia Berman [02:06]: "It's so surreal to like, every payment just has lightened the mental load a little bit."
• Elysia Berman [05:05]: "I left the house with the intention of just getting gloves... and I left with a $600 winter coat."
• Elysia Berman [08:43]: "Every purchase I made was trying to fix something that was broken in me."
• Elysia Berman [15:00]: "Everything in my closet is a statement piece... I just look like a clown."
• Elysia Berman [22:58]: "I'm still in recovery and I'm still figuring out the differences."
• Elysia Berman [36:12]: "I don't want to impress her with my clothes. I'm already impressive enough."
• Elysia Berman [42:07]: "I'm really excited to save. What I've noticed is that with every amount that my debt has gone down, my mental load has gotten better."

Rapid Fire Highlights

Towards the end of the episode, Elysia participates in rapid-fire questions, sharing personal insights and future aspirations:

• Top Wishlist Item: Cartier watch upon becoming debt-free.
• Best Beauty Secret: "Don't use soap in the morning. Wash your face less unless you have acne."
• Favorite Part of New Job: "Building something from the ground up and carving out what it looks and sounds like."

Conclusion

Elysia Berman's journey through a no buy year serves as an inspiring testament to the power of mindful consumption and intentional living. Her story underscores the profound impact that reducing material dependencies can have on personal well-being and financial health. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own consumption habits and consider the benefits of embracing a more intentional lifestyle.

Connect with Elysia Berman:

• TikTok: @lishaberman
• Instagram: @lishaberman

Subscribe to Sustain This! on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform. Leave a rating and review to support the show.