6 Reasons To Ignore Black Friday

Because 'add to cart' shouldn’t come with an existential crisis.

By Erin-Louise

It’s that time of year again — inboxes flooded, ads screaming “LIMITED TIME ONLY,” and somehow your heart rate spikes every time you see 40% off something you didn’t even know you wanted. Black Friday has become the Olympics of impulse spending, and most of us don’t even remember signing up to compete.

But before you dive headfirst into the checkout abyss, here’s a quick reminder of where it all started — and a few reasons why you might want to skip the chaos this year.

A (Very Brief) History of Black Friday

Black Friday wasn’t always about discount codes and delivery anxiety. The term actually dates back to the 1960s in Philadelphia, where police used it to describe the chaos of shoppers and traffic that hit the streets the day after Thanksgiving. Retailers later tried to rebrand it as something more positive — claiming it was when stores “went into the black” (aka turned a profit). Fast-forward to now, and it’s a global marketing marathon where everyone is trying to convince you that you’re saving money by spending it.

So, yeah. It’s never really been about generosity — just clever capitalism dressed in tinsel. So let's break the trance and remind ourselves why we might not need to get involved this year.

You Don’t Actually Need It (You Just Think You Do)

Marketers are very good at making us feel like life will improve dramatically once we own that aesthetic blender, fluffy coat, or 18-step skincare set. Spoiler: it won’t.Ask yourself — did you want it last week? If not, it’s probably the sale talking.

Worn Out tip: Make a “24-hour list.” If you still want it tomorrow, fine. But 9 times out of 10, the urge fades faster than your motivation on a Monday.

It’s Literally Designed to Stress You Out

Flash deals, countdown timers, “only 2 left!” — all designed to trigger panic buying. It’s retail manipulation 101, and it works because we’re all tired, busy, and desperate for a dopamine hit. You’re not weak for wanting it — you’re just human.

Worn Out tip: Step away from the laptop, make a cup of tea, and remember: the world won’t end if you miss a deal. Promise.

It’s Rarely a Real Deal

Hate to break it to you, but most Black Friday “sales” aren’t that special. Brands often bump up prices before discounting them, or label regular prices as “limited offers.” It’s smoke and mirrors, babes.

Worn Out tip: Use a price tracker (like Honey or CamelCamelCamel) to see if that “bargain” is actually a bargain — or just good marketing.

It’s Terrible for the Planet (and Your Wardrobe)

Black Friday is fast fashion’s favourite holiday. It fuels mass production, landfill waste, and clothing made to fall apart by New Year’s Eve. If you’ve been trying to shop slower or live more sustainably, this is your sign to mute the chaos.

Worn Out tip: If you do buy, go for brands doing genuine discounts — the ones offering fair wages, sustainable fabrics, or small-batch pieces.

It Feeds the “Not Enough” Monster

Black Friday thrives on convincing us we’re lacking — that if we just had that thing, we’d finally feel whole. But no sale is going to fill the emotional void created by capitalism (or your situationship).

Worn Out tip: Instead of buying something new, romanticise what you already own. Restyle old clothes, rearrange your space, or fix that jumper you love. Contentment > consumption.

You’ll Feel Better Saying No

You know that feeling when you close a tab and don’t spend £87 on things you didn’t plan to buy? That’s peace. That’s power. Because resisting the urge isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being intentional. And that feels so much better than a rushed dopamine hit that arrives in a cardboard box two weeks later.

Black Friday isn’t evil — it’s just… exhausting. So if you find yourself feeling guilty, overwhelmed, or tempted to panic spend, take a breath. You don’t have to prove your worth through purchases. You’re doing fine. Your wardrobe’s fine. Your blender is probably fine, too.

And if you really must buy something? Make it something that lasts — like good coffee, warm socks, or your sanity.