We’ve all had that one moment while shopping when you think, “Well I don’t need this, and it’s expensive, but it’s trending, so I’ll get it anyways."
You know what happens to that item after the popularity dies down: people get rid of it, stop using it, or the best possible outcome of donating it, which has its own negative effects on the environment.
This process is most commonly known as the OVERCONSUMPTION CYCLE. We as a community are constantly exposed to overconsumption on social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and others. Influencers commonly use items, shopping, and restocks to get attention from viewers, and most people on those platforms eat it up.
The best time to cover up overconsumption is during the holidays when everyone is looking for gifts, holiday-themed decor, and “limited time” items that only are useful during a small part of the year and after that are unused for months. According to CNBC, 83% of people plan to buy gifts during the holiday season, and in America they average $1,014 on Christmas gifts or other holiday items. Around 10% of people take out emergency funds when gift shopping, while 9% of people will skip or wait to pay household bills because of holiday shopping. Holiday shopping influencers are normalizing buying hundred dollar burr baskets and Christmas shopping halls. It may be addicting to watch, but as you see with the numbers in the US, it’s slowly turning into a problem.
The question is: how do we limit or slow down the cycle? First, observe what you have in your home. How many candles do you own? How about themed throw blankets for the holidays that you get at least once a year? Then make a list of items you need and jobs you need to accomplish first before you buy the stuff you might want. I’ve used these same strategies for my wants and needs and it has helped me understand how to limit my overconsumption cycle and find joy in thrifting, using what I have at home, and getting excited when I choose to purchase something that I really want. It seems like a common method, but it works, and that's what counts.
Are you going to binge for the holidays or think a bit deeper into the effects? It's all up to you and your mindset.
You know what happens to that item after the popularity dies down: people get rid of it, stop using it, or the best possible outcome of donating it, which has its own negative effects on the environment.
This process is most commonly known as the OVERCONSUMPTION CYCLE. We as a community are constantly exposed to overconsumption on social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and others. Influencers commonly use items, shopping, and restocks to get attention from viewers, and most people on those platforms eat it up.
The best time to cover up overconsumption is during the holidays when everyone is looking for gifts, holiday-themed decor, and “limited time” items that only are useful during a small part of the year and after that are unused for months. According to CNBC, 83% of people plan to buy gifts during the holiday season, and in America they average $1,014 on Christmas gifts or other holiday items. Around 10% of people take out emergency funds when gift shopping, while 9% of people will skip or wait to pay household bills because of holiday shopping. Holiday shopping influencers are normalizing buying hundred dollar burr baskets and Christmas shopping halls. It may be addicting to watch, but as you see with the numbers in the US, it’s slowly turning into a problem.
The question is: how do we limit or slow down the cycle? First, observe what you have in your home. How many candles do you own? How about themed throw blankets for the holidays that you get at least once a year? Then make a list of items you need and jobs you need to accomplish first before you buy the stuff you might want. I’ve used these same strategies for my wants and needs and it has helped me understand how to limit my overconsumption cycle and find joy in thrifting, using what I have at home, and getting excited when I choose to purchase something that I really want. It seems like a common method, but it works, and that's what counts.
Are you going to binge for the holidays or think a bit deeper into the effects? It's all up to you and your mindset.
