Sustain This! Podcast Episode Summary: "So You Made a Wishlist...Now What?"

Release Date: March 4, 2025
Hosts: Alyssa Beltempo, Christina Mychas, & Signe Hansen

In this engaging episode of Sustain This!, hosts Alyssa Beltempo, Christina Mychas, and Signe Hansen delve into the practicalities of creating and managing a fashion wishlist to promote mindful consumption and a more intentional wardrobe. The conversation offers valuable insights and actionable strategies for listeners looking to refine their shopping habits and cultivate a wardrobe filled with cherished pieces.

1. The Purpose of a Wishlist

Alyssa Beltempo introduces the concept of a wishlist as a tool to identify wardrobe gaps and manage shopping impulses. She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between necessary items and whimsical desires:

"I also like to put things that are purely whimsical wish list. Like, random. Like, maybe it is something that you saw somewhere and you were like, oh, my God, I need this."
[00:30]

2. Building a Detailed Wishlist

Christina Mychas highlights the significance of creating a crystal-clear, detailed wishlist to serve as an effective filter against impulsive purchases. She advocates for specificity to ensure that only items aligning with one's true desires make it to the list:

"I think it's a really nice sort of filter. It's a good technique."
[04:16]

The hosts discuss various methods for maintaining a wishlist, whether digitally on a phone or in a physical journal, catering to different personal preferences.

3. Managing Wishlist Items Over Time

The conversation shifts to strategies for maintaining and updating the wishlist. Christina shares her approach of allowing items to remain on the list for a period—typically 72 hours—to assess their true necessity:

"I like to wait a minimum of 72 hours. But honestly, sometimes all you need to even forget about an Item is like 90 seconds."
[06:30]

Alyssa echoes this sentiment, noting that introspection often leads to the realization that some desires may not be as essential as initially thought.

4. Balancing Impulse and Intentional Shopping

The hosts explore the delicate balance between enjoying spontaneous finds and adhering to the wishlist. Alyssa shares a personal anecdote about purchasing a dress not originally on her list, illustrating how valuable items can sometimes slip through the filters when the criteria are broad:

"I was on a vintage market and ended up buying this dress that wasn't on my list. It was €10 and just felt right."
[27:08]

Christina adds that such instances are part of the shopping process and can be managed by having clear intentions and assessing whether the new addition serves a unique purpose in the wardrobe.

5. Long-Term Wishlist Items and Goals

Discussion moves to long-term wishlist items and the concept of saving for significant purchases. Christina shares her experience of having a Chanel bag on her wishlist for five years, which eventually transformed into a "dog fund," demonstrating how priorities can evolve over time:

"I've had a Chanel bag on my wish list for like five years and I have not acted on it. It turned into like a dog fund."
[17:00]

This highlights the importance of flexibility and recognizing when certain desires may no longer align with current life circumstances or values.

6. Visual vs. Textual Wishlists

Alyssa suggests incorporating visual elements into wishlists using tools like Index, allowing for mood boards and visual references that can inspire and guide intentional purchases. Christina agrees, noting that visually mapping out wishlist items can aid in assessing their fit within the existing wardrobe:

"Figure out if you are someone who prefers having a visual wish list, like an actual picture of the thing that you want."
[20:35]

7. Emotional Relationship with Shopping

The hosts delve into the emotional aspects of shopping and consumption. Alyssa reflects on her personal journey post-divorce, where she oscillated between restrictive spending and indulgent purchasing, and how maintaining a wishlist helped her navigate these impulses:

"Post divorce, I had a period where I was like, say yes to everything. Like, actually enjoy the thing."
[33:21]

Christina reinforces the idea of balanced indulgence, comparing it to enjoying a cookie while maintaining a healthy diet routine:

"Just eat the cookie. Yeah, it's kind of like that all or none, right?"
[34:33]

8. Practical Tips for Effective Wishlist Management

• Delay Gratification: Implement a waiting period before making a purchase to ensure it's a well-considered decision. Christina recommends a minimum of 72 hours.

• Assess Necessity and Budget: Regularly evaluate wishlist items based on current wardrobe needs and financial capacity.

• Visualize and Plan: Use visual tools to integrate wishlist items into your existing style and wardrobe seamlessly.

• Stay Flexible: Allow the wishlist to evolve as personal styles and priorities change over time.

9. Personal Stories and Community Engagement

Towards the end of the episode, Alyssa shares a spontaneous purchase of a dress at a vintage market, demonstrating that even with a structured wishlist, unexpected finds can enrich one's wardrobe. This anecdote serves as a reminder that flexibility and intuition play roles in mindful consumption.

10. Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the discussed strategies, encouraging listeners to utilize their wishlists as tools for intentional and joyful consumption. The hosts invite the community to engage by sharing their own experiences and questions, fostering a supportive environment for those striving to build a more mindful and cherished wardrobe.

Notable Quotes:

• "If you put it on the wish list, it has to sit there for at least 24 hours." — Alyssa Beltempo [00:30]

• "It's not a hell yes and it's a no. And, you know, in order to know what your hell yes is, you have to know exactly what it is you want." — Christina Mychas [04:16]

• "I might go and investigate what that thing is. I might want to know the brand or whatever it is, but it goes straight to the wish list because in that moment, my guard is quite down." — Christina Mychas [06:24]

• "It's something that you can do to enjoy your time. And it just makes me think of how much online shopping can be used as like an emotional crutch or as a way to fill our time." — Christina Mychas [17:00]

Final Thoughts:

This episode of Sustain This! provides a comprehensive guide to creating and managing a fashion wishlist, blending practical advice with personal stories. By emphasizing intentionality, mindfulness, and flexibility, the hosts empower listeners to make thoughtful fashion choices that align with their values and lifestyle.

For more insights and community discussions, tune in to Sustain This! every Tuesday and join their YouTube community for exclusive content.