Over consumption, the excessive demand and buying of goods, is harmful in so many different ways. The most talked about is obviously the effects on the environment. And, at this point in time, it’s almost hard to not feed into overconsumption. TikTok shops consistently throw ads based on your interests, likes, and recent trends. SHEIN gives you deals it’s almost impossible to miss out on. Target releasing a shirt you saw on your Instagram feed recently. These companies obviously do this to stay relevant and to attract their target demographic, which is any smart business goal. I have personally fallen for a few trends that I look back on and realize weren’t necessities. Fast fashion is so extremely harmful to the environment. Goodwill bins are flooded, closets are full, and yet many teenagers can relate to one phrase: I have nothing to wear. We’ve all been there. Even before online shopping took over the market, everyone has gotten bored of their wardrobe at least once. I think this is another thing that makes today’s overconsumption noticeably worse than that of overconsumption decades ago. And overconsumption doesn’t just stop at clothes, it can go for water bottles, shoes, lots of cosmetics you never use, or even decorations that you’ll hate in 2 months. This opinion piece in no way, shape, or form is meant to shame people for shopping and buying things they enjoy or like. Personally, I love shopping and being able to spend time with my friends. Over consumption is truly a noticeable problem; like when you have the same pair of sweatpants in 4 colors, but you buy another one knowing you’ll wear it once. I think the line for overconsumption and shopping stops when you not only buy micro trends, but also when you genuinely buy too much for your own good. As I said before, I am not one to judge. Overconsumption can lead to more negative outcomes than people think. Not only does it begin a bad habit of poor money management, but it also encourages these trends that only a small percentage of people who participate actually enjoy. Being a teenager, you can only make so much money. You could impulsively buy a cart online, or spend your paycheck in the span of a few days, just to simply hate everything you bought two months later. Overconsumption is something that has not only been normalized, but also encouraged by the world around us. It’s always important to think before you buy and build healthy spending habits at a young age.
