The Pressure to Keep Up, Beating Overconsumption
Alright, here’s the truth. I want to buy more.
I want to add every single cute and trendy thing I see online to the cart and bask in the convenience of two-day, front door delivery. I want to constantly feel the satisfaction of opening something new or repetitive that feels like me. I love shoppers-high, and I bet you have at some point, too. But, somewhere along the way, I started wondering how much of that wanting actually comes from me.
Social Media Steers Interest to Over-Buy
It is difficult consuming social media every day and viewing enticing things other people have that we don’t, and refraining from the availability of today’s e-commerce and lifestyle appeal. So the solution? Online shopping links and in-store trend marketing. We are living in an age where convenience is key to fitting in. Following trends has become vital to our social survival. We have been pushed to believe that there is always something else out there to buy that can contribute to creating a better lifestyle, whether that’s an emotional or physical one. I have been subjected to overconsumption too many times.
I do appreciate the abundant items that have made our lives increasingly convenient and exciting. But what do we gain when these items are used only ever “once in a while”? Thrown to the back of our closets. Collecting enough dust, we finally realize why Goodwill and Plato’s Closet are so insanely popular and successful. We can give it to them that at least it’s contributing to some positive up-cycling, but profiting from our initial immoderation, nonetheless.
All of these trending products are shown to tell us that in order to fit in, these items must symbolize your personality. Otherwise, how will we know what aesthetic we belong to? Which, of course, items and clothing are a symbol of self-expression and always have been. But, at what point does it cross the line into the theme that we are all adapting the same symbolisms, diminishing individuality.
When did it become socially unacceptable to wear the same dress more than once the same month? Oh, yes, since social media says you can’t be seen in the same outfit twice. Since social media has influenced the idea that repetition is unaesthetic.
The ironic thing about repetition though, is that social media is primarily that. The “illusory-truth effect” is a psychological phenomenon where repeated exposure to a statement or idea on social media makes people more likely to view it as true or familiar. So because we see the same alluring products so often from influencers or our peers, it becomes a need in our lifestyle. But eventually, realizing those items weren’t as important or satisfying for as long as we thought they would be, then becoming overconsumption. The cycle continues.
Learning to become less consuming of material items isn’t really even about throwing away half of your wardrobe. This also doesn’t mean you have to buy less expensive items or always thrift. The easiest transition into overconsumption mindfulness is truly just by managing your impulsive buying.
Material Waste or Self-Care?
We all work hard and it is normal and healthy to “treat” yourself a time or two a month. This includes buying something new for yourself or allowing yourself to engage in a new experience. You deserve that expensive purse or outfit you have been saving for. It’s simply important to be mindful of how much use those items are going to get, determining its category of an addition to your personal items, or overconsumption.
I know we hear it enough, but truly, moderation is key. Decreasing our overconsumption comes with being educated. If we are solely adding to our personal inventory for the reason of having more options, we aren’t doing ourselves or the environment any favors. It is wiser to learn how to interchange basic pieces with unique pieces equally to maintain variety, while working-in new pieces on occasion.
Keeping up with every day trends, interests and wanting items that aren't entirely a "need" can create a constant cycle of satisfactory highs and regretful lows. Don't forget to take a step back and think about ways to be more individualistic in your spending, while leaving moderate room for your well-deserved pampering and bandwagon style.
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