Consumerism Addiction
Clothes, skincare and makeup, Stanley cups, sneakers, cars, handbags, you name it. If you go online, you will find far too many people are exhibiting what appear to be behavioral addiction symptoms when it comes to consuming products. The sheer amount and types of purchased items are unhealthy for the individual, the community, and the environment. Because of the normalization of these behaviors in a space as widespread as the internet, they are starting to creep into the lives of everyday people, to the detriment of everyone except the corporations profiting from it all. We drastically need a shift in mindset when it comes to consuming; even when consumption is unavoidable in life, small changes can help break us out of these heightened consumption levels and support those who need it most.
Brain
Addiction is very complex and research is still ongoing to fully understand it, but we do have a basic understanding of what is going on and how we can change behaviors for the better. While different than substance (drug) addictions, behavioral addictions are a similar struggle for many people. Gambling addictions have been added to the DSM 5 as a form of non-substance addiction, and many other behaviors are being studied to potentially join in this new category.
One of the key components of addiction is a neurochemical called dopamine. While often called a “pleasure” chemical, it is more of a “wanting” chemical. When it binds to receptors in the brain, it can reinforce the seeking out of actions or items that have brought pleasurable experiences in the past. This used to help people seek out food, shelter, and other things that aided in survival and reproduction. In our modern world of abundance, it has become a detriment. Countless people are driven to consume far beyond what anyone needs. Becoming aware of these habits, and the conditions that drive them, are important for making change.
Consumerism
We live in a world where just about anything can be purchased with a few clicks online. Far fewer people in industrialized countries are struggling to meet their basic needs (although far too many still do). However, our brains have not adapted to fit this new world. We still feel chemical rewards for obtaining goods and engaging in behaviors that are not the scarcity they once were, sometimes leading to overindulgence.
In the age of social media, this pursuit can be driven by superficial social approval or feelings of “success” through material gains. However, it doesn’t take a chronically online individual to be driven to overconsumption. There are many ways that entities selling goods and services can convince people to consume, even ones that may not seem like it at first glance.
There are obvious methods such as planned obsolescence, where a product is made to break after a short time, forcing the consumer to buy again. There are clever marketing tactics that prey on heuristics, or mental shortcuts, that rely on emotions to make quick decisions. But there are even more subtle methods, such as using people’s environmental anxieties against them, telling them that consuming their item is better for the planet than some other item, when both items may be unnecessary. When it comes to the environment, the only individual consumer actions that make a real difference are eating less red meat and its byproducts and using less gas-powered modes of transportation, which both require doing less of something, not buying a different version of a product. Many eco-friendly versions of demonized items are just as bad, and sometimes even worse for the planet than the normal products, such as reusable tote bags and organic foods.
There is so much confusion in the world about buying the right products for various goals, whether that’s attracting the friends or partners you want, helping the environment, or what will make you the “best” version of yourself. However, those who sell products don’t want you to realize that the best method for achieving all of these doesn’t come from consuming goods but fostering interpersonal relationships, away from the internet, marketing, and your wallet.
That being said, we can’t fully avoid consuming altogether. We need food, clothing, and shelter, and we don’t need to give up obtaining things that bring us joy. We can, however, go about this more thoughtfully while also using consumption as a method to foster those interpersonal relationships and support the people around us.
Community
One of the best things consumers can do to support others is to shop from small and independent sellers whenever possible. Many people cite price or convenience as obstacles to achieving this, but the internet has made this easier than ever before. While people are out spending large amounts of money on multiple pieces of cheap, low-quality clothing from fast fashion brands that have ruined the livelihoods of countless Americans in the apparel manufacturing business, there are still people making high-quality clothing domestically that treat their workers well, bringing back jobs that have historically been vehicles for immigrants to make lives for themselves in the US.
Companies like Glee + Co and American Giant manufacture their clothes domestically, but even when artists themselves aren’t making the blanks they are selling, buying clothing from an artist you like matters way more than giving more money to a faceless corporation that continues to harm rather than help. Supporting artists and independent businesses is easy, especially when there are events like Jackalope art fairs and DesignerCon that bring artists together. And you don’t even need to attend these events, because you can access the lists of vendors at the events and support them through ecommerce purchases.
Outside of clothing, there are many important ways to support those around you through environmentally beneficial consumption methods. Purchasing less food that will go to waste is an important way to lower carbon emissions, as well as limiting the amount of red meat and byproducts you are consuming. Shopping from local grocery stores whenever possible or choosing larger chains like Sprouts which have zero food waste structures in place are good choices one can make. For transportation, switching to electric vehicles whenever possible and driving as little as possible are also important.
Not only do these help support the people around you economically and help to make the environment we all share a better place to exist but they also create opportunities for interpersonal relationships. Small businesses are far more appreciative of your support, and it is wonderful to strike up a conversation with someone responsible for the item you are purchasing, knowing there is someone on the other end who cares and who you are helping. Public transportation and walking provide opportunities to meet others and engage in social interactions necessary for health and well-being. Supporting others, working to solve the loneliness epidemic, and boosting small businesses, what’s not to love?
Conclusion
People consume way more than necessary, and it is causing problems. Money matters, and when we spend it on things that actively make our lives worse, we are telling corporations that they can get away with hurting people. Many of us have the opportunity to make real differences in our own and others’ lives. Once we look past manipulation and spend time in the world around us, with people around us, we can notice the impacts our consumption has and work to make better choices.
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