Overconsumption and Ways to Avoid It
Recently while doom scrolling (don’t judge me, we’ve all been there!) I came across a video of a woman walking us through one of her daily routines. The woman, dressed in a one-piece bathing suit, walked us into her bathroom and stated that she was going to bring us along for her “two-hour shower.” Immediately, I thought “who needs to take a two-hour shower? Did she just return from a long day down in the mines?!”
It turns out that no, she wasn’t filthy from a hard day’s work, but she just needed an exorbitant amount of time to take this shower because there were going to be about fifty products involved (and somehow, I think this is an UNDERestimation) in this routine!
The camera then panned to show us this woman's shower walls and my jaw dropped. The only place I have seen this much soap in one place was at the Bath & Body Works store down at the mall. Pausing the video for a moment to gather my thoughts, I wondered if maybe she lived in a residence with many, many other people also living in it, such as a women’s shelter or a fire house. A quick scan of her page told me that she was single and lived alone, so I immediately began to wonder why she owned all of this product?
As someone who unfortunately consumes a ton of social media (I’m just a girl) I've recently noticed that the overconsumption of products seems to be something we’re constantly being unknowingly influenced to participate in. Influencers are showing us the multitude of products they have inside their homes and companies are creating different variants of the same product in order to sell more units.
After I watched this shower routine video, I nearly broke my ankle running to the comment section and it did not disappoint. Some of the comments were nice, with viewers complimenting the original poster on her routine and thanking her for her helpful shower routine tips, while most of the viewers questioned, “who needs all that stuff?” Regardless of whose side you're on, the numbers on the video (views, likes, and comments) were viral-worthy and growing by the hour.
In the last few years, we’ve seen the major rebrand of Stanley, a company that’s been in business for over a hundred years. Just one of these cups will set you back about forty-five US dollars and because of their surge in popularity, mainly on TikTok, the company saw profits of seven-hundred-and-fifty million dollars last year alone. That is a lot of water bottles! Influencers and regular folks alike have experienced backlash on social media due to their extensive collections of these water bottles.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you shouldn't have a Stanley cup. In fact, I’m drinking out of my blue one right now as I’m writing this blog post! They’re a fantastic product so I can understand why someone would want to purchase one, heck, maybe even two. But when you get to a point where you have enough cups to call it a “collection” and you need to build a new cabinet in your kitchen to store them all, you have fallen victim to overconsumption and have likely wasted a ton of money on a product you already own.
When you see other people overconsuming things like shower gels and Stanley Cups, how does it make you feel? Do you feel envious because they have a variety of items at their disposal or do you feel that it is wasteful? When I see these videos, I think of three things:
Financial strain: People always say that “too much of a good thing is no good” and they were on to something with this one. Overconsumption almost always leads to financial instability and debt. The pressure to keep up with the latest trends and maintain a certain lifestyle can push individuals to overspend beyond their means, relying on credit cards or loans to fund their purchases. As a result, many find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, struggling to keep pace with mounting bills and interest payments.
Environmental impact: The overconsumption of products unfortunately has a detrimental impact on our environment. Whether it be the packaging of these products or the products themself, a staggering amount of materials end up in landfills, pollute our water supplies and have an unnecessary impact on an already strained environment. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), it takes 2,700 liters of water to make one cotton t-shirt, which is enough water for one person to drink for 900 days (source). Now imagine if retailers offered ten different variants of the same t-shirt and consumers bought one of each variant. That’s a lot of water wasted!
Mental and Emotional Health: The relentless pursuit of material possessions can take a toll on mental and emotional well-being. Constant comparison with others, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the never-ending quest for more can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and stress. Moreover, the fleeting satisfaction derived from material possessions often gives way to emptiness and dissatisfaction, fueling a cycle of consumption as individuals seek to fill the void with more stuff.
So now that we’re well aware of overconsumption and how it’s being pushed upon us by companies looking to sell more units, how can we avoid falling victim to this way of life? Here are five ways.
Budgeting: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: creating a budget and sticking to it will help solve most of your spending problems (I say “most” because there is no one-size-fits-all solution for someone who suffers from overspending). You can track your spending using budgeting apps or just a good old pen and paper, but if something is not listed on your budget, then you simply can’t spend any money on it, removing any chance of you falling victim to overconsumption.
Practice Mindful Spending: You’ll never be able to avoid spending money entirely - trust me, I’ve tried - so spending your money in a mindful way will help reduce waste. Implement a waiting period of twenty-four hours or even a full week before you make a non-essential purchase (please buy the dang toilet paper today if you run out). You should also consider the long-term value of the item. Ask yourself questions like “how long will this product last me?” and “will this replace or eliminate the need to purchase other products?” Finally, establish if the thing you’re looking to buy is a need or a want. I think everyone will agree that soap or body wash is a ‘need’ but looking back at the shower routine mentioned above, buying multiple styles or brands quickly moves you into the ‘want’ category.
Declutter and Simplify: Every few months when I deep clean my home, I ask myself “why did I even purchase this?” at least one time. Periodically decluttering your space will help remind you of all of the things you currently own but do not use and will help reduce your urge to buy more. Embracing a minimalist lifestyle will also allow you to reduce spending on items you already own. Instead of buying multiple quantities of the same product, focus on one or two high-quality items that will withstand years of wear and tear. When you clean out your space, be sure to either sell or donate unused or unwanted items. This not only helps you out but allows the product to live a second life in a different home, thus helping the environment!
Develop Healthy Spending Habits: Whenever you go out shopping, be sure to make a list beforehand and stick to it. I used to overspend at Target all of the time and these retailers hope that you do, so much so that they design the layout of their stores to entice you to browse the aisles and purchase things you had no idea that you “needed.” It’s also a good idea to avoid recreational shopping. I can’t tell you how many times I stopped into the mall because I had nothing better to do on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Find alternative activities or hobbies that don’t require you to spend money. If you’re continuously seeing videos on your feed that are silently pushing overconsumption, hit the block or “not interested” buttons, depending on what platform you’re using. Also be sure to unsubscribe from marketing emails as well because if these deals and promotions are out of sight, you won’t miss them.
Experiences Over Goods: Personally, I’d rather spend two hundred dollars on a concert ticket to see my favorite band instead than a few new pieces of clothing from the local mall because I prioritize activities and experiences over the consumption of goods. Investing in experiences like travel, learning a new skill or picking up a hobby will provide more lasting satisfaction than if you were to spend those resources on a material possession. I also recommend that you plan activities with friends and family that don’t revolve around spending money. Picnics, hikes, game nights and potlucks will allow you to socialize while keeping everybody's spending in check.
Overconsumption is a pervasive issue exacerbated by societal pressures and marketing tactics, leading to financial strain, environmental damage, and mental stress. By adopting mindful spending habits, creating a strict budget, decluttering regularly, and prioritizing experiences over material goods, you can effectively combat overconsumption. Embracing these strategies will not only help you save money and reduce waste but also enhance your overall well-being and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Remember, it’s not about depriving yourself but about making thoughtful choices that align with your values and long-term goals.