We’ve seen countless articles and petitions of save the planet, consumer reports, and the pile of mounting debt. All of these can be a little depressing, and social media thrives on influences. Almost gone are the days of television commercials— but marketing is here to stay. Social Media is the place to thrive with marketing as 91% of Americans use it. What better way to entice someone to spend their dollars?
Maybe you think I’m lying, but the proof is in the statistics.
In the third quarter of 2024, personal consumption expenditure made up a whopping 68% of the United States Gross Domestic Product.
We can’t deny that the shopping, marketing and increase in credit card debts aren’t connected. But a new way to handle life is emerging on social platforms: under consumerism.
A small portion of up and coming social media influences are showing more real life scenarios of daily life— and even bragging about under-consumption. It might seem a little strange to a country that has pumped industrial business through its veins— and it isn’t taking away from the needs or some joys of life. It’s making a way for life to be practical without the extras.
As I dived into benefits of under-consumption I realized the planet wasn’t the only thing going to improve with a change in consuming fast fashion textiles.
In fact, scary enough as it is—in 2022 72% of people said they shopped fast fashion— and nearly 1/3 felt addicted. Society was waking up to the teetering scales.
Underconsumption has spiked over 40,000% on the European front of TikTok— so the trend continues to take on the masses.
Benefits of under-consumption go beyond my pocketbook and chores. The less I bought, the less I had to manage.
Examples of under-consumption include only buying quality clothes and fewer of them. Just buying groceries and products for a single week of needs. Reducing energy consumption by tuning out and unplugging physically and mentally from the online masses.
In a life where consumerism has gotten out of hand, maybe social media will finally make a stand for bettering people outside its electronic walls and encourage a positive reality and healthy consumption.
{Thirteen-Year-Old Hiking Boots}
What is something in your own life that is on top of this below-normal consumerism standard?
Simply Blooming Grace 