Stanley Cups, TikTok Shop, Samba sneakers, and drawers upon drawers of makeup products. In this day and age, we are constantly surrounded by the media: enticing marketing ploys, bright colors, eye-catching designs, and bubbly, perfect influencers all crafted to convince us we need a new pair of shoes or the latest viral perfume. In a world of opinions constantly being shoved down your throat, how do you decide who to listen to?
Ever since the introduction of online shopping, it has become abundantly easy to press ‘buy’ without thinking about the consequences of your purchases. Now with the addition of a 20-something influencer with Botox convincing you that a moisturizer will get you looking the same as her, spending habits are out of control. With this increase and interest in new-meaningless products, people are so obsessed with becoming their TikTok feed that they fail to recognize the serious ramifications of online shopping and overconsumption. Landfills overflowing, overuse of natural resources, labor exploitation, and environmental stress are all serious problems that have become overwhelming in the last few decades. These problems are not slowing down in the new generation, especially with the rampage of social media.
While I’ll admit TikTok can be a useful app for expressing yourself, finding recipes, learning guitar, and keeping up to date on the latest news, using social media to influence your purchases creates an unhealthy cycle of spending habits. Just because Alix Earle is wearing skinny jeans does that mean you now have to? The constant exposure to influencers and advertisements blurs the line between genuine recommendations and paid partnerships. One minute you’re scrolling, the next you’re convinced that you need yet another water bottle or lip gloss to achieve the peak “clean girl” aesthetic. But after you click the “buy now” button and unbox your latest find, what happens? You may use it for a week or two, maybe even a few months, but more often than not after the post-buy high fades you are left with a cluttered room and empty bank account.
Companies have been using the same manipulative psychology techniques for decades, and these techniques continue to spiral out of control. By capitalizing on FOMO – the fear of missing out – brands and influencers create a false sense of urgency and necessity, all of which convince you to buy into their latest ploy. Limited edition drops, countdown timers, and “last chance” sales all manipulate consumers into believing that they need to act immediately, even if the product doesn’t serve any real purpose in their lives. While the rush of dopamine that accompanies a new purchase is fleeting, the consequences of excessive spending can be long-lasting, and create a perpetual dissatisfaction with what you own.
I myself have fallen victim to these scams, as almost everyone else has. Sol De Janeiro body mist that resembles burnt popcorn, a whitening mouthwash that set my gums on fire, and pimple-vanishing serums that somehow accentuate my blemishes even more, are just a few of the pit traps I have fallen into due to social platforms. It is nearly impossible not to fall into those traps if you are on social media, but it is important to recognize the beauty in high-quality products. The $4 crop top you bought off Temu is going to end up in a thrift store or landfill in 4 months, further fueling your addiction to buying unnecessary items. Instead of falling into the dazzling trap of cheap, trendy items, invest in timeless, good-quality staples. There is nothing wrong with owning a few hoodies instead of a closet full, and wearing a pair of shoes until they are worn through. Going back to basic staples will improve your life, help the environment, heal your bank account, and repair the constant desire to always be trendy.
To combat falling into this cycle of spending, adopting mindful shopping habits can be essential. Ask yourself: do you really need the product? Will I still like it in 5 months? How often will I use this? These questions are all important in recognizing if you actually need and love the product you are buying, or if you need to be de-influenced. Another strategy I commonly use is leaving the product in my cart for a week. If I still really want it after a week or two of being without it, I buy it!
Breaking free from the cycle of overconsumption isn’t about depriving yourself of things you want, but about making more meaningful choices about what you are buying. Resisting the pressure of outside opinions and instead prioritizing quality and sustainability will lead to more freedom and intentional living.