To consume or not to consume, that is the question.
In today’s society, social media is incorporated into our daily lives and heavily impacts how we think, what we do, who we interact with, etc. But most notably, social media impacts what we buy, at least according to Forbes. From skincare to clothing, influencers will make you feel like you need to “run, don’t walk” to purchase the newest products from trendy brands. However, after the high of a new purchase, it shortly fizzles away and you are left with mountains of your own overconsumption.
Overconsumption, or at least the spread of it, is not always the most obvious thing in the world. There are loads of huge “haul” videos where influencers and even regular social media users post these kinds of videos, showing off items they’ve gotten from a popular store or brand.
This may seem like an innocent way of sharing with the internet beloved items that have been wanted for a while, or items that are new, but what it does is convince you that you need what they have. Whether it be to make your own haul video or to be exactly like a famous celebrity, it creates a cycle of continuous money spending on things you most likely already have. It is literally an influencer’s job to influence you to buy things.
Now, how does this connect to oversumption? It is okay to have a few of each item, but when everything becomes a collection, it also becomes a problem. Take makeup, for example. Beauty influencers have tons of makeup that they are sent in PR or that they buy on their own to review for their audience. This convinces their viewers to try the products that they are promoting or that they approve of, even if they have a makeup routine of their own. Over time, it leaves consumers with a lifetime’s worth of products that they most likely cannot use in time of their expiration date.
According to Sentient Media, overconsumption is a huge modern issue. It creates unnecessary spending and addiction to making new purchases. Influencers are the main instigators of oversumption, according to Daily Cardinal, and the ones who are putting this trend on the general public with the touting of their collection.
To resist overconsumption, try to look at what you already have. Put items that are collecting dust to use. Try to find the value in an old object rather than looking to find a new one. To consume or not to consume, that is your question. Which will you choose?
