So underconsumption is “trending” on socials and while there might be some negative vibes associated with anything trending I am so happy that it is! Underconsumption is this concept that despite being a direct reaction to our world is rather one that we never really hear about. We hear all day about things we HAVE to buy. But taking a step back and evaluating our choices when it comes to consumption is more than a lifestyle change. It’s a way to free us from some of the suffocation that comes with our consumption focused world.
That’s a pretty big statement I know! But truly it feels freeing to know that we can take control of our consumption. Not to mention that it also helps our wallets out and is helping out our beautiful planet.
And today we are going to chat more about it- below we go into how you can start making shifts towards an underconsumption lifestyle. This doesn’t have to be the giant commitment that many make it out to be online! We’re gonna make small shifts that will help us consume less and be so much more mindful about how we spend and what we actually need.
Also I do want to add- I am still on this journey and I believe that there is no final destination for underconsumption. I believe it’s a lifestyle but I also love fashion, my dog (she’s spoiled y’all) and my hobbies. But learning to still enjoy everything we love but without a focus on consumption and consumerism has been incredible. Trust me: you don’t have to choose between enjoying your life and consuming less.
So let’s get into it!!
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How To Embrace an Underconsumption Lifestyle
Guide to consuming a lot less:
Tip 1: Give yourself a 48 hour rule
Before making any non-essential (and you gotta be honest with yourself) purchase, wait 48 hours. Often, this cooling-off period helps clarify whether it’s a genuine need or just an impulse. It might seem silly but this little pause can empower you to make decisions that align more closely with your long-term goals (less consumption, save money, etc), ensuring that each purchase adds true value and joy to your life.
Also- it helps to shake the social media influence. When you see something online it’s so easy to get sucked up into the trending product. But giving yourself time to let the hype slow down helps you see if it is ACTUALLY a product that you want.
Tip 2: Declutter your spaces
Having a less cluttered space where you can see and know what you have is so helpful for this underconsumption journey.
I have a ton of guides about decluttering that I would recommend checking out next-
- How To Perform a Digital Declutter
- 50 Items To Declutter Right Now
- How To Declutter Sentimental Items With Love
Tip 3: Keep everything visible
Organize your belongings so that everything has its place and is easily visible. When you can see what you own, you’re less likely to buy duplicates or things you don’t need.Â
And really focus on areas that you tend to overbuy in – for me it’s makeup and skincare. I always find myself buying “backups” without really knowing when I need things. So by only keeping all my makeup and skincare in one location I have not only limited my space for products but also ensured I know I already have things that need used first.
Tip 4: Embrace quality over quantity
Invest in higher quality items that will last longer, rather than cheap goods that need frequent replacing.Â
But keep in mind that price does not automatically guarantee quality. Look at the materials a product is made with, the process, etc. take the time to do some research once to learn about how to identify quality in an area of products you use or buy a lot.
Tip 5: Break your shopping patterns
Identify your shopping patterns and then break them!
Do you tend to emotionally shop online after a hard day of work? Find a different and better way to raise your spirits.
Do you get easily sucked into influencer marketing? Then it’s time to unfollow accounts that push a lot of products!
For each person that will look different but the key to breaking your shopping habits to consume less is first to identify them! And you have to be honest with yourself.
Tip 6: Consider secondhand first
Whenever possible (which is surprisingly often in my experience) opt for secondhand. Or at least TRY to find the item you are in need of second hand instead of new.
I recently wrote up a guide all about things you may not have though to thrift- so go check that out next so you can get all the secondhand inspiration! Read it here 🙂
Tip 7: Try “no spend” challenges
Set yourself a challenge to not spend any money on non-essential items for a set period of time. How long? Well that is up to you though I think that one week or one month is a good way to start. And what about the rules? Again that is up to you but usually a good starting point is only purchasing groceries and household ESSENTIALS.
This can help reset your spending habits and make you more mindful of where your money goes.
Tip 8: Don’t skip subscriptions and services
Alright guys this isn’t going to be all that fun but consuming less doesn’t just mean physical items! Especially if you are trying to save money because online subscriptions and services can add up sooo quickly.
Go through your past few months of credit card statements to identify every reoccurring charge. You just might be surprised by how many you don’t use regularly. Okay let’s be real- if you don’t have any you don’t use then I am bowing down to you!
Tip 9: Minimize your food waste
Plan your meals and shop with a list to avoid overbuying!
Use leftovers creatively to ensure food isn’t wasted. Following cooking accounts that focus on using scraps and limiting food waste has been insanely helpful for this journey for me and I highly recommend it to others!
Tip 10: Prioritize experiences over stuff
Invest in experiences that create memories rather than in material goods. Experiences tend to contribute to our happiness more than objects do and often bring us closer to others.
Create memories without adding to waste in the world and clutter in your own home!
Korra-Shay
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