Two years ago, I wrote a blog about the origins of Black Friday. I looked all the way back to the year 1869 and the crash of the US gold market, as well as its first modern use in the 1950s after hordes of Philadelphian shoppers caused bedlam in advance of an Army-Navy football game. You can find all the juicy details of that in the original post. Today, I want to take a different look at Black Friday and consider how we can become more intentional and responsible shoppers.

I love a good deal as much as the next person, but sitting in traffic, jostling with crowds, or arguing with strangers over who saw a pair of boots first... It doesn't exactly fill me with excitement. I much prefer the idea of online sales as these can be conducted from the privacy of your own home and the clarity of a quiet space – or at least quieter than a chaotic mall. However, it's not just the craze of in-person shopping that we may want to avoid, but the culture of overconsumption that leads to immense waste and pollution.

This is not to say you shouldn't make the most of Black Friday deals – of course you should. If you've had your eye on that new microwave – or piece of analytics software – for months, by all means, buy it. All I'd like to suggest is that you be cognizant of what you are buying, why, and how that purchase impacts the environment and other people.

My wish for this Black Friday is that we can all be a little bit more conscientious in our spending. If that sounds good to you, keep reading.

While you've likely been told to expect a brawl or two this Black Friday, from both individuals and news outlets, there's at least one store that will be closed on the 24th – outdoor gear provider, REI. In fact, since 2015, REI has closed all 181 of its US stores, as well as its distribution locations, call centers, and headquarters. Instead of participating in Black Friday, REI encourages its customers to spend the day far away from the retail mayhem and venture into the great outdoors in observance of its new proposed holiday, #OptOutside day.

Opting out of Black Friday is hardly surprising given that numerous injuries and even deaths have resulted from catfights and stampedes on Black Fridays past and that grabbing the product of your dreams before the five other people after it can be, understandably stressful.

There are also a number of people who've begun to stop participating in Black Friday consumerism due to the excessive number of people that fill shopping malls, the likelihood that they will spend a lot of money on things they don't really need, and finding better deals online as opposed to in stores.

Black Friday is notorious for its impact on the environment, with increased consumption leading to higher levels of waste and carbon emissions. Research shows that the global transport sector accounts for up to 4% of global emissions, and 400,000 tons of CO2 is emitted as a result of transport for Black Friday in the UK alone. However, the volume of CO2 is nothing compared to the CO2 produced by manufacturing, and much of what is bought during Black Friday is not kept for the long term.

A 2019 study found that Black Friday purchases are often thrown away after being used only once. Plus, up to 80% of household plastics and textiles end up in landfills or are incinerated.

As a whole, humans are over-consuming and living beyond their means, using resources 70% more quickly than the Earth can renew them. According to the Global Footprint Network, if everyone on the planet lived like the average German citizen, we'd need the resources of at least three Earths to sustain this lifestyle. Meanwhile, if everyone consumed as much as the average US citizen, we'd need five Earths...

So, what can you do to enjoy the festivities of Black Friday responsibly? It's simpler than you might imagine – be intentional.

As with any other realm of life, being intentional about the ways in which you spend your money can prevent you from feeling buyer's remorse over spending too much money, buying things you don't really need, or elevating your carbon footprint. Being intentional means thinking through your actions with care and avoiding impulsive choices.

To be intentional is to do something deliberately, thinking through all the pros and cons of your choice.

The way to make the most of Black Friday specials is not to spontaneously buy everything you see that looks cheap but rather to keep tabs on things that you really want to buy throughout the year, and then seize the moment when they go on sale. That way, you can still purchase items that you truly value and reap the rewards of massive discounts without contributing to environmental waste.

To get intentional, make a list of the kinds of items you really want or need. Typically, the best Black Friday deals will be on:

If you've been wanting to buy an air fryer, microwave, or a subscription to a new software, now is the time. Save the desired item in your wish list and get ready for the discounts to roll.

However, being intentional isn't just about buying things of value to you; it's also about considering the impact of your purchases.

Part of being an intentional shopper also means considering the ways in which your shopping contributes to waste and pollution. So, how might you shop more sustainably during Black Friday? Here are a few ideas:

As an alternative to Black Friday, "Green Friday" promotes responsible, sustainable shopping as outlined above – and this idea is gaining traction.

Another way to prevent buyer's remorse and be more intentional in your shopping is to create a Black Friday budget so you set a limit on your shopping spree and can curb impulsive purchases.

A useful way to implement this is by using the 24-hour rule. This means that you need to wait a full 24 hours between eyeballing the item you want (or adding it to your cart) and spending. The idea is that you can avoid unnecessary impulse buys in this way. If you still want it and think the price is right after 24 hours, this is likely a better purchase than if you look at it again after 24 hours and decide you don't really need it or want it that badly.

Intentional shopping can help people save money, avoid buyer's remorse, and lead to more mindful spending habits. It can also help reduce waste and pollution driven by overconsumption. So, when Black Friday rolls around, wouldn't you like to be a more intentional shopper for a change?