A New Trend: Underconsumption

As the number of social media users, and especially influencers, increased, we have been led to a trend: overconsumption. The ads made us think that we should buy them. The influencers made us think that we should have that too.

For example, if an influencer showed a spoon, and gave a link, we just bought that. The idea was as simple as this. They showed something, and the brand probably sent them for free; they gave a link, we bought because we believed that we were a part of their lives. Or maybe we just wanted to be able to buy a thing that the influencer bought. For some, this was even a show of status. Many people, sometimes including me, thought that overconsumption showed economic status.

Of course, we had spoons in our houses, but not the one an influencer posted. Over time, this habit turned into a toxic one. Lately, influencers have stopped posting what they did; they just started to post what they were sent!

And now, a trend has come out: underconsumption. After consuming and buying everything we did not need, now people are posting their humane stuff. Not just perfect, flawless, and in order. Sometimes their old stuff, sometimes the replacements.

For example, for all these years, we opened TikTok. We scrolled a bit. Then, we saw a video of a person who organizes her makeup drawers. We saw that there were perfectly fitted drawer organizers and thousands of makeup products. There was a drawer for her lipstick, another for her eyeshadows, and many others. It leads to harmful thoughts, like, I wanted to buy that mascara too. Why do I not have this drawer? Am I less worthy? And etc... These creators made us believe that we needed everything we saw. And, after some time, it became impossible to not buy a thing when you follow or watch the influencers.

And now, there are good number of people who talk about underconsumption or normal consumption. In this underconsumption core, people use a water bottle that is not Stanley, is old, but can still be used. They have makeup products that work perfectly fine and are enough. For an average person whose work or hobby is not makeup, the basic products will be enough. For example, I do not buy mascara before it finishes. I do not have more than 2 concealers because my shade changes in the summer. But that is all. Yes, I have different shades of eyeshadow, and I am guilty, but I stopped buying because I know I am not using them.

Or, to organize my makeup products, I have only one organizer because I like to keep them clean and organized. And I only have 1 makeup bag. In this underconsumption core, people use plastic bags for makeup bags.

They also do not buy the newest pyjamas from Victoria's Secret; they use their old t-shirts to sleep. Or they do not throw away their finished products before making sure they are completely finished. They do not have 20 skin care products; they just use what they need for their skin. They do not get hundreds of pieces of jewelry. Or they do not run and get the newest Dyson because they prefer to use their old hair straightener.

They do this not because they cannot afford it, but because it is not good for mental health at all. When you are a shopping addict, it is not easy to control your gut. This trend literally encourages you to do it. Control your guts, find a solution, and if you really need it, buy it. But if you can live without that, then do not buy it.

This trend also does not mean that they are not worthy of buying that stuff. No. This trend has occurred because we needed it. We needed to remember that we do not have to buy everything we see. We do not need those 20 packets of different types of juice. We will buy it when we need it. We do not have to restock our kitchens and bathrooms all the time.

It is important to control the money you spend, and the way you spend it. Remember your priorities. And do not feel less than your circle, because you are not. Materials do not prove your worth.