What is underconsumption? You may have come across this trend on social media where people show you how they are able to get by living with “less”. Do you really need 10 drinking glasses when you are living alone? Is it really necessary to buy an ice cream maker you’ll barely use? Our culture (especially here in the United States) lives fast; you can pretty much get anything you want at any time. This makes it harder to appreciate the simplicity of making use of what you already have, and this is what “underconsumption core” is all about.
The Benefits of Underconsumption
The main benefit is that it helps you be more present with what you have. You step into a greater sense of self-awareness; taking a pause to analyze if you really need the object you are seeking to purchase/obtain. Doing this type of questioning also helps you get to the root of why you want what you want. Maybe you saw a trending beauty item on TikTok and felt you needed it because deep down you want to feel prettier–you want more people to notice you. There are definitely ways to do that which don’t involve consuming more things–plus, will that item really help you feel noticed and validated?
Awareness
Buying/consuming less helps you become more aware of your spending habits; you end up reducing your debts and maybe even saving money for necessary investments.
Speaking of reducing, underconsumption can help you reduce the waste and clutter in home–and you should know that a cluttered home (or work space) can negatively impact your energy. Clutter creates stagnation because the energy cannot flow efficiently, and when energy is stuck it can also wreak havoc on our health in different ways.
It’s important to understand your ownership pattern because it is an expression of the values that guide your life. The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.
-Marie Kondo
Getting started with Underconsumption
Start small and easy
Take inventory of items you already have, and try to make them visible. If it’s out of sight it will be out of mind, and next thing you know you’ll end up buying another ketchup bottle when you already have 3.
Because I live in a small apartment I have a storage unit at a nearby facility, and one of the things I love to do is “shop” my storage unit. I use this unit to store clothing that’s not in season as well as items I may have purchased on sale, for future use. Whenever I find myself in need of something, I check to see if I already have that item, or a replacement for it.
Buy Nothing
There are plenty of ways to get free stuff. Here in New York we have a lot of “buy nothing” groups on Facebook, where neighbors give items away for free (let’s say when someone is moving), or you can request something you’re in need of. Check on Facebook and Reddit if there’s a group in your neighborhood, and if not, consider starting one!
Before purchasing something non-urgent, consider asking around if one of your community members has it. There are also other sourcing methods like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Karma
Everything has “karma” attached to it–what you consume also becomes a part of you, so consuming frequently from companies that cause harm whether to the environment and/or other beings, also becomes a part of your karma. Just because you’re not the CEO of a fast fashion company, for example, doesn’t mean you are allowed to wash your hands of responsibility.
I’m not saying this to scare you because ultimately purchasing an item isn’t going to make or break you, BUT over time it can have an impact if you’re not taking responsibility for your actions. Also, how you discard an item can impact your karmic debt. Everything you own is your responsibility–let that sink in for a moment. So if you decide you no longer want something, how are you getting rid of it? Maybe donating or recycling? Maybe repurposing? Make sure to understand what you’re getting yourself into next time you need to make a purchase; it’s all about awareness.
Pay it Forward
Besides committing to being a more responsible consumer, you can also regularly clear your karmic load through acts of charity, kindness, and spreading awareness. Please consider supporting worthy causes that are helping to make our planet a better place to live in. If you can afford it, consider donating to your chosen causes with every purchase you make.
Mama Earth and the elemental spirits thank you for consideration!
