Break the Buy Cycle with a Novelty Audit

The Well newsletter argues that our love of new gadgets often dissolves into clutter, and it offers a practical ‘novelty audit’ to regain control: identify what you want to resist, set commitment-device rules (like removing saved credit-card info, canceling auto-deliveries, or deleting shopping apps), and create friction to favor long-term benefits. Drawing on experts, it explains that novelty sparks dopamine and memory, and it suggests seeking novelty in experiences rather than more stuff, while noting perfection isn’t realistic.