Resisting The Epidemic of Overconsumption

We see it everywhere, now – mountains of unwanted clothing flooding our thrifts, plastic decorations collecting dust in an attic, entire cabinets full of anti-aging skincare that was marketed to a 10 year-old. Overconsumption has taken us in a chokehold. What are the detriments of this, and how can we be more conscious of what we consume?

 

About Overconsumption

 

Overconsumption is the (typically unnecessary) consumption of more than what can be ethically produced or conserved. This has become an issue in nearly every industry – clothing, beauty supplies, home decor, and even food and utilities. Online shopping websites, in tandem with social media influencers, have caused thoughtless consumption to skyrocket. Even in-person stores such as Target and Marshalls flaunt loads of plastic decorations and tools that one could easily thrift or make themselves. Many of the things that we consume – from lead-laden fast fashion pieces to a new Bath & Body Works spray for every single season (Why?!) – are much more trouble than they are worth. 

 

The Damage Surrounding You

 

The things that we consume are rarely ethically made. The production of many products requires a inordinate amount of resources – a single garment requires several thousand gallons of water to make, for example – and the shipping of those products contributes significantly to our carbon emissions. In addition, many of these are produced in warehouses where workers are egregiously overworked and underpaid (Shein, anyone?). Furthermore, when consuming products that aren’t biodegradable, such as plastic decorations or polyester clothing, one is left to wonder how to dispose of it. Many resort to throwing these items straight into the trash, or donating them so the Goodwill employees can throw them straight into the trash. They then find their way to a landfill, where they sit for a long while – a couple of centuries, probably – where they can freely leech chemicals, microplastics, and greenhouse gases into the only environment we have. 

 

The Damage To You

 

Many people are aware of the unethical aspect of overconsumption, regardless of whether or not it affects their decisions. However, most people do not think about the effect it has on them. First and foremost, it is a financial burden. Even though many stores like Temu and Five Below boast cheap prices, this often has the reverse effect of inciting people to buy more than they typically would. All it takes is a quick YouTube search to find hundreds of $1000 Shein hauls – money that could’ve instead been spent on a beginners’ guitar, a sewing machine, or a set of art pencils. If you did not know you needed it before you saw it, I encourage you to question for a moment if you really need it that badly. 

Overconsumption also has a notable psychological effect on those who grapple with it. People tend to consume with the subconscious belief that if they just buy more, that if they just get something new and shiny, they will be happy – and they usually are, for a short time. When we shop for things we want, our brains tend to release dopamine, which is a feel-good chemical messenger generated by rewards. The gratification is instant, whereas for other activities – hobbies, for example – we have to work for it. The issue here is that the instant response is short-lived, and this often leaves us feeling empty and wanting more. This want for incessant stimulation can prove especially detrimental in a society where our attention spans are eroding further every day. 

The products we overconsume can also harm our health. For example, Shein and Temu have come under fire recently due test results revealing dangerous amounts of lead in their products. Much of the food that we buy, especially in America, is heavily processed and laden with added sugars. In addition, the detrimental environmental impact of overconsumption leaves us in a less habitable world. Microplastics have infiltrated our food, water, air, bodies, and brains, so thoroughly that the damage done seems irreversible.

 

Resisting Overconsumption

 

Thankfully, more awareness is being called to overconsumption and there is a blossoming movement encouraging people to get it under control. Here are some of the ways that one can reduce their consumption:

Reduce social media usage

The vast majority of modern marketing is reliant upon social media, be it in the form of pop-up advertisements or sponsored influencers. By reducing social media usage, one is much less likely to be coaxed into believing they need something new, and more likely to engage with the things they already have around them. I’ve personally found a lot of satisfaction with deleting all of the social media off of my phone – Reddit and Youtube, specifically – and only accessing them on my computer. This prompts me to seek out other, more productive sources of fulfillment, such as art.

Use what you already have

It is not a bad idea to make a vow to yourself to use what you already have before buying more of a product. This is particularly useful for cosmetic products such as perfume or lotion. If you are itching to buy new clothing, try challenging yourself to style what you have in different ways, or experiment with altering your own clothing. There are many ways to alter clothing without using a sewing machine, such as cutting shirt collars into off-shoulders or threading ribbons through holes; you can also create fabric paint by mixing acrylic paint and fabric softener. A good way to go about this is to make a list of everything you know you have a sufficient supply of, and then to create a separate list of things you are running low on. Then, before you reach for something new and sparkly on the shelf, check your running-low list to see if you actually need it. 

Get a hobby

Going back to the discussion of happy chemicals, hobbies are longer-term commitments that eventually provide much more fulfillment than anything you could buy. Of course, many hobbies involve buying things, but the idea is that they are being bought for the purpose of further honing your craft. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, all hobbies are productive in that they are good for your well-being. A good way to figure out what interests you is to sift through a large list of hobbies and mark what you are already doing, and then make a separate list of things you are interested in. This way, you will develop a clearer idea of the things that interest you outside of consumption. You can then decide to continue improving on the hobbies you already enjoy or embark on something new.

Buy secondhand

When you buy secondhand, you prolong the life of items that have already been made. This in turn reduces the amount of resources depleted and waste produced. Not only can clothing be bought secondhand, but home decor, furniture, instruments, and books can all be bought secondhand as well. Pieces found in thrift stores are often more unique, and – if you can score a good vintage piece, for example – of a higher quality. 

Grow your own food

If you have the space for a garden, starting one can serve as both an excellent hobby and a great way to produce your own goods. Common foods grown in home gardens include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and potatoes, but there are a variety of foods that can thrive from the comfort of one’s backyard. Many people also grow their own herbs, such as mint or basil. If you don’t have the space for a garden, there are many vegetables that you can grow indoors with a pot and adequate care. 

Invest in reusable items

While reusable items tend to initially be more expensive than their disposable counterparts, they usually save money and resources in the long run by lasting for a much longer time. For example, one could purchase a water filter instead of buying bottled water, pack food in storage containers instead of plastic bags, or DIY some fabric makeup remover pads. I encourage you to think about some things that you frequently purchase and ponder whether or not they have a reusable alternative. 

Think before you buy

Before you purchase something, really stop to think about why you want it. How much will having this item benefit your life? Will your life totally suck without it, or will you survive? How often will you use this item? If it’s an article of clothing – will it be comfortable to wear all day? Developing a running list of questions to ask yourself before purchasing something will make it much easier to stave off impulse purchases.