Tik Tok’s Overconsumption Problem

[@di3486]

Those of us that only lived through the KZbin makeup era, are burnt out at this point. We went minimalist, found out what works and I haven’t put a foot in Sephora or Ulta in ages.

[@TinaTissue28]

I also remember/lived through that period of KZbin. Unfortunately, there is a new generation with cash and they did not go through this

[@MsPandachen]

Yes 😂, I went through that phase 10 years ago

[@I_Queen_Aries_I]

I honestly feel lucky I grew up with less money and without watching these videos...

[@oliviaj9037]

Lmao this is so true. I’m 23 and don’t buy any makeup or clothes. I get the odd piece second hand but it’s maybe bi monthly. Every day I get closer to minimalism and love it.

[@silviacostanzo7356]

Absolutely true. I have my 10 product and the needed tools and stop. No reason to own 30 shades of mauve blush and 40 of red lip pencil

[@mpGreen03]

I hate it when they frame it as "self love/care" to buy excessive amount of home decore and other useless stuff which will be thrown out at least a year later.

[@donghye1004]

so tru!

[@mmp495]

This is a good point. Self love/ care is actually not buying yourself things or services. It is acts of service and time to others that brings authentic joy, happiness and decreases depression.

[@mpGreen03]

@@mmp495 I am not sure I agree with you, acts and helps to others, of course, make you feel good but as the title is "self love/care" - I personally take it as something that I do for myself and it's not a bad thing, like taking relaxing bath, a nice walk in the nature, buying a massage etc - I am very stressed person who does a lot of things for other people already, what I need is some time for myself to relax and rest. That is how I see self care/love :)

[@cehvia]

I agree w u, but as someone who buys things to make me happier as it’s one of the only ways that helps me, we don’t always throw it out n usually tend to appreciate them

[@baileysanborn]

a large reason why I deleted tiktok recently is because of the overconsumption problem. I have a spending problem, and a large reason for it is tiktokers telling me to buy things I don't need, so ultimately, I decided to delete the app for my own good. It's been a couple weeks, and I already stopped spending as much. I'm glad we're finally talking about this. Also, idk if you guys have heard of the "de-influencing" trend. It's just as much bullshit as these because, at the end of the day, it's a random influencer telling us what to buy and what not to buy. Make sure you're buying something that you'll need and that you'll use, and make sure that you're buying it for your own enjoyment💕

[@darlahays2471]

I got caught up in the perfume community on KZbin. And was buying Niche fragrances that I couldn't really afford. Until a light went off and I realized that they are gifted the perfume to hype it up. Now, I have enough perfume to last until my 90s. And some are not that good but the bottles are pretty.😂

[@blackdemonheart9696]

I deleted the app a while ago, I think it’s because I was spending too much time on it but idk, deleted it and never went back. I am more happy now.

[@kthename08]

​@Darla Hays same! 😂

[@darlahays2471]

@@kthename08 and I am so tempted buy more. Because.. well it's spring and new scents being released.

[@c03l36]

nice to read someone else my age (you seem like 18 - 20 in your profile so i'm assuming haha) has deleted tik tok too, sometimes i feel kinda disconnected but knowing other people are starting to delete it too and/or dont have it is a refreshing feeling. honestly hope it just gets removed lol. so much better not having it for mental health reasons too.

[@AnnikaVictoria24]

I'm so glad we are all talking about this more

[@ashleyrouse6942]

It's also negatively impacting thrift stores. I used to be able to find great quality pieces that would last me 10+ years, now I find tons of shein, fashionnova, and other cheaply made clothing pieces. These pieces also seem to last only a couple washes before they come apart even with brand new tags on them. At least when I was in school the fast fashion brands that were popular then (American eagle, A&F, Aeropostale, old VS, buckle, and others) have still held up as I find them occasionally in thrift store 10+ years later in great condition.

[@eleabolar]

THIS!!^^

[@NoNameNumberTwo]

American Eagle and Abercrombie and Fitch are not fast fashion. Like the video mentioned, fast fashion means the ability to go from design to having it available for purchase in a matter of days/weeks. Those stores (and pretty much all clothing stores in the 80s and 90s) put out new items a few times a year. The reason you find those items being higher quality in thrift stores is because quality was more of a focus back in the day, not price. People choosing to shop at stores like Forever 21 and Amazon is what has gotten us to where we are today, where most clothing is cheap and made out of polyester.

[@studentofgaia]

This is so true! The thrift stores are full of shein stuff.

[@ashleyrouse6942]

@@NoNameNumberTwo Ahh, ok! I assumed they were just because I had heard them referred to as such back then, I guess due to how quickly they cycled through clothing seasons, but makes sense.

[@zhisu2665]

a not as mentioned overconsumption issue is on the BOOK side of tiktok/youtube. while it's in no way a modern thing [previously a show of excessive wealth] it's definitely getting more normalized for people to own/want to own over a thousand books just to show off and barely 30% will have been read over the years. I'm guilty of buying books I probably won't read but I only own a small bookshelf full.

[@afirewasinmyhead]

My dream is for libraries to become the “it” spot and everyone borrows books and movies and music from their local library. We don’t need to own 1000 books or have every streaming service because… library. 😎 (edit: corrected typo)

[@rowantic6539]

Me too haha but i get them from the Thrift store.

[@maryk3850]

it's a bit not the same with books. You can read one book all over again and don't need to buy this exact book more than once. plus sometimes you wanna read more fantasy, or romance, or something else and other book will be read, ofc, but later when you're in a mood for them. But ofc it's not normal to read 2 books in a month and buy 20, 30, 50+ in one month... it's too much

[@AM-uh6ox]

Same. I’ve ended up donating so many because my apartment just felt cluttered with books and things. Also, when you’re moving books are the WORST things to move. Many people should look into their local library because many have a free app for borrowing books now!

[@charlie11111]

I only buy what I intend to read and I'll buy it second hand from vinted/ebay/world of books, that's after I check the library. Once I'm done with my books I give them to friends, list them on olio, or resell on vinted. Fuck buying new books

[@ririzap4555]

I'm a big fan of video essays and at first I thought "not even 7 minutes long?" but it was just perfect! Video essays get longer and longer (sometimes 3 hours) and that's just too much. That was really refreshing and I will definitely keep an eye on your account :)

[@marzipan2555]

And sometimes these long essays don't even say anything! Like do we really need a 10 hr video about Harry Potter plotholes?

[@lounielouna7556]

No seriously I saw one that was like 8 hours!! Like this isn't a video essay no more its a video novel

[@goosewithagibus]

Not me over here posting two videos that are two hours long about a video game

[@actualfkingvoid]

I think it depends. Some video essays are long because that is necessary to be able to present complete context over the topic (a great example would be Line Goes Up by Dan Olson). I also don't think a shortened video length makes a video essay better, or that a trend towards shorter video essays is good progress, as it can be a sign that our attention spans are decreasing to the point where we can't even focus on one topic for more than 30 minutes.

[@nekkinekki4721]

My father always warned me about manipulations that these brands do. And I am so glad he did because as a 19 year old, I see everyone around me having these buy and throw type of approach. Yes, I might have less clothes than my friends but my clothes are timeless staples and last me years with minimum harm towards the environment and most importantly they are what I need.

[@mariamhani-g9j]

Exactly

[@jules4376]

I have noticed the overconsumption problem on Tik Tok has blead into more then just products. I take in all the influence from relationship advice, family toxicity, clothes etc. It is just constant information being thrown at you every 30 seconds- I think our brains are becoming over stimulated. It has started to affect my relationship as it makes me question everything- and overthink what is a red flag, if he is truly the one etc. I have noticed even on KZbin I can struggle watching a video without skipping through some parts to get to the point. I don't think it is good for our mental health AT ALL.

[@studentofgaia]

We are definitely being overstimulated and it’s taking a toll on collective mental health

[@sharkbite6577]

We need to talk about this more the constant reading into things will drive you insane I legit would read into every little thing my boyfriend or parents did and convinced myself that they were abusive and manipulative even when they are not. The world needs to stop taking TikTok advise and get an actual therapist it’s soooo scary what this app has done to so many of my close friends 😢

[@jules4376]

@@sharkbite6577 seriously… it is crazy how much it influences all of us with every aspect of our lives

[@ItKnowsYou]

I’m still baffled by people buying clothes that they only plan to wear for a month or so, most of the clothing in my closet is a decade old and is going nowhere soon.

[@user-jz3kn9pw8d]

I always got confused by why so many clothes are needing to be bought! They must donate them after a couple of months.. insane.

[@neonk2222]

I went through a phase where I bought a lot of clothes. Now I am working on selling them (many are low quality, so I can maybe sell them for £1 or £2). I am then looking to only own clothes that are high quality and long lasting and don't follow any trend, just my own style.

[@d.on.in.a]

History is repeating itself, it used to happen on KZbin a lot, it's happening on TikTok to younger generations (and not only to them) and it will happen over and over again on other platforms. I remember the issues that I had because of this phenomenon on KZbin in the 2010s which resulted in me doing a no-buy in 2019 to rescue my financial situation and my mental health. Ultimately, that experience changed my life and I'm glad I was able to learn so much about myself thanks to it.

[@d.on.in.a]

@@MaxTrahan99 that's another eye opening thing! I always think I need a bunch of stuff when in reality that's not the case at all.

[@cherryy_2468]

ya the corner of tiktok that infuriates me the most is the $100+ shein hauls. like we have all learned about the horrible working conditions for shein and also how fast these clothes end up in landfills and yet people still spend so much money there

[@kensiblonde4203]

You mean gen z doesn’t really give a crap about the poor and oppressed? It’s all just posturing? Huh! 🤔

[@dos_doodles]

I'm so glad this was in my recommendations because I've been talking about this for so long. I've always struggled with overspending and hoarding with my OCD/ADHD and depression. It preys on mentally ill people so much. But not just that but it preys on so many different types of people. I always see comments about people making fun of how they were "into cottagecore and mushrooms" in 2020 and it's like- that was 3 years ago. 3! years ago! People say that hot topic is stuck in 2020!! It's insane. I'm tired of trends and fast fashion and no one ever talks about this and if you do people think you're crazy. The rise of "aesthetics" have also brought on constant changing trends and having your own aesthetic is normal but calling everything x-core and it becoming a trend where fast fashion companies make fashion for it so quickly and then 5 months later no one wants to be apart of it is bleh. I really do think we should gatekeep more too. This also reminds me of the whole squishmallow ordeal among other cute items. AND RESELLERS with that sort of thing too. Things like squishmallow, and build a bears get sold out so quickly. I could go on a rant about this. I just think we need to gatekeep more like you said.

[@ratqueen3809]

omg same i have ocd and bdd. social media was one of the worst triggers for me as I was always looking for the "right fit" and fantasizing about it; relating it to my identity so much. Honestly it leads to such narcissistic traits and pushes you on to the hedonistic treadmill.

[@kiyani2337]

The squishmallows are insane! I have a couple myself and they're cute and fun but I saw a girl on tiktok pack an ENTIRE uhaul for just her squishmallows. Like live your life but wow

[@ArtsyBeau]

I was born in a poor family, which from the get go taught me to be very careful with my money. Money comes and goes, but the consumerism has gone overboard.

[@kaylar5178]

One of the biggest things I noticed once I stopped over consuming is that I actually got to discover what I really like and what I don’t once I started wearing/using things I already own more often and appreciate it instead of seeing it as a number.

[@AnaandJasmin]

Yes! You stop buying things because they are trendy and start buying things you like, and as a result, you wearing those clothes for longer periods of time.

[@kristaw206]

The more you buy, the more stuff you have to take care of and the more stress you'll have, so it's actually the opposite of self care 😅

[@ripwednesdayadams]

This is one of the main reasons I hate tiktok. It’s just like watching endless ads. Beauty hauls, makeup tutorials and fashion content- you’re just incessantly bombarded with ads. Even when someone isn’t being paid and they’re just buying things with their own money it’s still basically an ad. I barely go on tiktok. Even self care has been commodified- it’s insane. Buying shit will not make you happy. Idk maybe it’s because I’m a millennial who grew up in the underground anarcho punk scene when the 2008 financial crisis was happening but I can’t stand this type of content. It makes me feel sick just thinking about the environmental and financial impact not to mention the massive profits amassed by huge corporations.

[@paulinakozlowska5370]

Ever since I deleted tiktok over a year ago I felt a lot less pressure to adhere to trends I’d be seeing changing all the times and made more conscious decisions about what I purchase even minimising my clothing purchases to one item a month. That caused me to think twice about how much money I want to spend on an item and if I really like it and how it fits on my body as well as with the rest of things I own. Honestly I stopped purchasing new items of clothing since November at this point mainly because I started to become content with what I already have, but if I want to buy something I do use the one item a month rule.

[@Mourningcrypt]

I don’t use tik tok but I see some on reels- I personally hate the re-packaging of food just for aesthetics. How do you keep track of expiration dates??? I’d go crazy. I couldn’t trust them to not feed me something bad

[@EmyN]

They mark the date on the lid with a marker when it's necessary

[@DH-gq7bm]

I'm going to be honest, I hate watch that kind of stuff. The storing decisions some of those people make are absolutely awful. Storing cleaning products in completely different easy to open packages without any of the usage information or cautions. I watched one woman open up 3 cartons of milk to put them in an "aesthetic" container when that just guarantees her milk will spoil faster.

[@mumumaxima]

I hate them. Every time I watch them sounds like they’re screaming, “I’m such a well-organized person, and I’m better than you!” through their videos.

[@nathanielcraig3588]

Luckily, I find myself turned off by a lot of these ads and huge hauls, I don't "need" this large selection of disposable plastic stuff from Amazon and being told I do feels insulting tbh. I don't mind reviews because I usually like to buy makeup in person or I cross reference multiple sources to see if a product is good. And I'm very particular about clothes and accessories, I'm not interested in a bunch of junk from shein when I could go to local consignment stores to overspend on designer shoes for 90% off retail.

[@Temi005]

‘Bring back gate keeping, we’ll all be richer without it’ FACTSSS

[@hannahrose1033]

I really loved this video essay, and god it's been a topic I've thought about a lot recently. I've been seeing more buy hauls recently, some of them up to a couple hundred dollars per haul. people really need to talk about this more.

[@kickbackweyoung]

I’ve been nearly 3 weeks free of TT, IG, and FB. This video essay was further eye opener for me and the way I consume media especially TT 😅 just a vicious cycle that really had me burnt out mentally. Happy to be off the platform for now to reset, thank you for sharing something I needed to see for sure ❤

[@arcie3716]

Seeing a bunch of video essays about this topic combined with how critical my family was with my spending habits when I was younger made me become stingy 😭😭😭. Everytime I look at a product, I really have to sit there for 4 minutes at a store and ask myself if I need a luxury $4 lip balm 😭

[@CrownMooseCostumes]

"Bring back gatekeeping. We'll all be richer without it." I agree! You're onto something there. 🤔

[@cheetyuh]

I really like this video! Its something that is very relevant, but it still not really spoken about. I’ve had a major shift in my consumption in the past few months, and I already feel happier. Some tips for people looking to control their overconsumption: -waiting a set amount of time before purchasing something. -taking photos of things you like, rather than buying them. -find new outfit combinations with what you already own. -try to avoid spending your leisure time on amazon or in retail shops. -realize that this item only brings temporary joy While it is true that there is no ethical consumption under capitalism, I think it’s being treated as a catch all term. Keeping up with clothing trends is not a case of no ethical consumption. Too many people use it as some weird scapegoat to avoid responsibility.

[@loveline119]

It's not a TikTok thing, it's a social media thing.

[@saltycat662]

They admitted that TikTok is a brainwashing technique.

[@melfromhell]

this short-form video essay format is such a breath of fresh air! im tired of having to clear out my schedule for the next 2 hours every time i wanna watch a video essay lol

[@eggspress8043]

this is a really good video essay, shorter than most but every sentence you said was there for a reason and none of it felt like filler, excited to see what else you put out!

[@wamyy5]

FRICKEN LOVE THIS VIDEO. As a creator myself, I feel pressured to show more products in my videos, since when I promote good mindsets and habits, I know I won't get income from that. Society needs to value better and actually useful content. But people like easy. And buying is easy

[@ASMRKay_]

I’ve been bingeing Video Essays lately and yours by far are the best edited. Can’t wait to watch more!

[@AnaandJasmin]

Thank you so much!

[@jessthedancechick]

I literally bring this up to everyone that I know and they are probably tired of it, but how can you be?! It has taken over our lives and our bank accounts! It makes me so glad that I am such an indecisive person - by the time I make a decision about a purchase (usually a no), the trend is usually phased out already.

[@charlotteclarke868]

This reminds me of when my fiance and I will get like 30 books each from the library and then when we get home, show each of them and discuss. So much cheaper lol!

[@charlotteclarke868]

But also Charlotte Tillbury is amazing. A random youtuber recommended her and I gave it a try and I love it. Her foundation is amazing for women over forty.

[@AuDHDarling]

I am autistic and ADHD, so managing my money and impulse buying has been an issue throughout my adulthood. I recently started hyperfixating on trying to buy and waste as little as possible. And when I get a hobby, I go all in. I sew buttons onto my coats when the zippers break. I also now cut my hair outside deep in the woods so that biodegradable material goes back into nature, rather than the garbage dump. I also don't use any social media besides KZbin, and I skip the ads. I feel free, and like I am living in harmony with nature.

[@pippetandpossum]

Love it!! I have ADHD and I've been doing something similar, when I feel like I'm hyperfixating and looking for a dopamine rush I start planning a day trip for the weekend, finding cool free spots in my local city. I also shop the stuff I already have, if I'm wanting new makeup I take all mine out and lay it out by category and pick an item from each that I tried once and put away. I do the same for anything I feel like I want, clothes, hair products, pet products (I have a lot of pets), school supplies, etc

[@yasmin-m-07]

the hair is such a cool idea, but i can just imagine taking a hike and finding a huge clump of hair lolol

[@clarabp2613]

​@@yasmin-m-07 me: gasp! Bigfoot was here!

[@_Kita]

I'm someone who will wear the same 10 shirts for years until they dont fit or break so the fast fashion trend is whats holding me back from buying new clothes because I dont want something that will only last me a few wears and breaks

[@ynat2198]

Louder for the folks in the back! But what's worse, capitalism will not allow for people to consume slow or ethically, because companies NEED to sponsor products because “look this iNfLuEnCeR is just like me! 1” and that's how you spend your money. Its a sickness at this point, these people have an illness that is being exploited. I really like the way you made this video and split it up, subd!

[@tecnapurin]

Capitalism also makes it hard to buy slow because of planned obsolescence. Certain products are expected to break down after a certain amount of time so that you constantly have to keep buying new ones. I actually find that more frustrating than sponsorships, because at least you have some level of control and can try to avoid influencers buy not following them, for example. But you can't really control how often a product breaks down, even if you take care of it properly, and it's worse if it's a product you need.

[@di3486]

@@tecnapurin Is not about capitalism, is about people’s addiction to spending.

[@ItsOKtobeNormal]

​@@tecnapurinlike the fact that industrial tractors are designed to break down frequently and can only be serviced by approved individuals who's rates are very high, it's not a capitalism thing though, it's a people thing. No matter what type of economy you have there's going to be people wanting to exploit others.

[@sumlem]

"where are they getting this money?" Credit card debt and using Karma and After Pay

[@Jayjay_07]

Also returning the items after the haul

[@WilliamsPinch]

I haven’t watched a haul in so long! I like swatch videos, so I can decide if I want a singular item, rarely am I persuaded to buy anything.

[@tamiadixon8312]

Yup i stopped watching hauls too

[@sa21de]

I went through all this in KZbin's heydays and now I'm immune to kids telling me I need 15 more products so can look like them with a filter :D

[@kawaleely2445]

if you guys go thrifting and find a shein/fast fashion product that you really like, you should still buy it. even if it's fast fashion, it's still better than using it once and tossing it into landfills.

[@AnaandJasmin]

Yes definitely! 🙌🏻 Due to fast fashion, thrift stores are actually throwing away clothing if too much is donated. Buying from thrift stores, even if the brand is fast fashion can reduce clothes being thrown out.

[@Becks72]

This issue had even hit the book community with people trying to hit 1000 books “because it makes a library” and buying 4-5 copies of the SAME BOOK. I understand some editions are beautiful but do you need four copies?

[@AnaandJasmin]

I’ve definitely noticed a lot of overconsumption regarding hobbies on tik tok. Books and crocheting where they buy carts full, even when they don’t need it.

[@chillytoes1]

This is exactly why I will never search beauty, or fashion on tic tok. I barely go on, and when I do, it's none specific, and for a short period of time. I don't need any more encouragement to shop.

[@holofy]

I completely agree with this video, this is a big problem and I wonder if it will ever go away, with the rise and rise of social media

[@EughhBrothereughh]

Maybe it will make things easier for someone many dermatologists say about skincare : Less is more. You dont need 55+ skincare step routine. Its BS. In fact its too much for your skin. Use exfoliation/ cleanser and moisturizer thats it. And sunscreen of course if you want. The brands that feed you things to problems that you dont even have. I heard it somewhere i thought would be nice to remind. Same goes to make up. Twelve years ago nobody even knew what a contouring and a highlighter was. Your natural bone structure was that contour you needed. Idk what is it with brands that make up all of those unnecessary products and try to feed us the idea that we need them otherwise we're not pretty

[@thunderstorm204]

This video deserves way more views! such an important topic ❤ thank you

[@sashaiswright9824]

Great video. Consumerism and sponsorships have become the overriding goal from "influencers" these day.

[@kizzle45shizzle]

Everyone needs to watch this. SHARE SHARE SHARE THIS VIDEO!!

[@Stuck_on_pause]

Great video! I despise hauls, restock with me and organise with me videos, they stink of wastefulness, greed and desperation for approval.

[@jonatanleandoer127]

i loved this video! your voice is soothing and i love the way you talked about this topic, its a pretty 'duh' thing but the way you go into detail and make me realize things i hadn't before, (the amazon store front, the decluttering) etc!

[@annak4398]

I wish there was more of an effort to dupe trends or whatever accessories for the house in not only a sustainable way (like thrifting, salvage hunting, sharing between friends and family) but also prioritising function over form and aesthetic. Ex is those laundry room makeovers that put a crazy amount of products in glass containers from Amazon- sure it’s ‘aesthetic’ but it’s also stressful to manage and puts unnecessary restrictions on yourself, you could just reorganize with old containers/bins you own and make a more efficient system! Way less overhead and it’s more authentic to your lifestyle.

[@EmiL_from_NieR]

The problem with thrifting is that a lot of thrift stores are filled with fast fashion now because of the people who buy too much and donate all the no longer trendy impulse buys, and a lot of those good clothes are picked through so they can be resold for profit on depop/mercari. I’m saying this as a person who LOVED thrift shopping due to being lower income and it’s hard for me to do now because of the fast fashion flooding all the stores.

[@roselynnencizo3074]

Been thinking about this a lot lately. Something I noticed is that a lot of cute things are CONSTANTLY out of stock. I didn’t notice this until a few months ago. I thought it was because of Covid still for a while, but then I made a TikTok account and realized that everyone wants to buy the same things and they’re being advertised by all of these influencers. Also, a lot of peoples content only includes buying and using products. I like watching makeup and fashion videos, but after a while it leaves me feeling a little low? These things do not and will not create happiness . I feel like as I get older, I spend my money on things that I will wear multiple times and LOVE, rather than get things just for trend and only wear a few times. This also goes for things I will use and reach for multiple times( makeup, haircare, books, home decor, etc).

[@noellecannon1411]

Most glossed over topic I appreciate the video essay!

[@joannageorge5900]

wow! i can honestly see you blowing up in the future. This was very well done :)

[@AdrictaTDT-Twitch]

I closed all my social media 3 years ago and honestly I don't feel any difference in my life except for this, I think technology has lead to a place where people don't realize they're being used as a tool so these companies can make money whereas these people try to achieve something imposible to achieve, perfection. Everyone follows other's trends, music, make up, clothing etc... You can see it on every video, suddenly people start to use one song for their videos and everyone starts to do the same because there is this lack of personality which makes the situation even more complicated.

[@joycechan1973]

I thought it is because im too old for this. It is good to hear ppl also noted this. I found we actually need few things and no need to follow trends to look pretty/related.

[@noinoimoon4295]

Products as necessity to get your life together. YES, yes, I am so guilty for this one.

[@quentinmartjno]

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'm so glad this whole thing has the opposite effect on me. Anything that gets promoted to me on social media, especially any kind of product or gadget, IMMEDIATELY irritates me. If there was a chance I was going to buy it, now it's gone. The kind of overconsumption this video talks about literally turns me off to the point that I sometimes I can't shop for clothes unless it's absolutely necessary and even then I struggle to actually make the purchase. I can't even say I'm "better" than overconsumers since it's barely a choice for me, more like a bodily reaction 😂😂

[@bobbobbo5278]

I've slowly gotten better, but sometimes I fail and end up over buying. Then I feel regret because I wasted money on things I didn't need. I do it most often with skincare, but so far I have gotten rid of old skincare items and cleaned up my clutter a bit. I really want to live minimalist, but it's difficult. It almost feels compulsive

[@Yellinger]

Outstanding Video!! Excited to watch your channel grow a ton!!

[@heather2185]

Even if you donate clothing it’s still got about a 30-50% chance of ending up in the landfill.

[@leaphan6141]

I found this to be a sobering video of the unfortunate impact of social media and consumerism. A lot of people are buying a lot for cheap instead of buying things to last, even if that means only four skirts or two pairs of jeans. I also think people need to learn how to do basic hand sewing so they can take care of their clothes regardless of quality. If you can’t buy a $50/$70 shirt, it’s OK to get a cheaper one. Just learn how to take care of it if a stitch pops or there’s a tear. I pray everyone here to have their hearts on what matters most and to grow in wisdom. Have a blessed day/night ✝️💙

[@mori2039]

I just came from watching closet tours on tiktok so i could search “purse collection” on KZbin but ur vid was coincidentally suggested to me

[@catsballs9657]

@Annihilated how bullshit is that… musically and vine were the same but no one was whining about them huh?? Every social media platform is like that. Don’t fool yourself thinking tiktok is the cause of every problem. It’s not. It’s just a small part.

[@KaysFantasy]

Well. I’m glad I’ve never been interested in makeup so adding to this mass of consumer products is not on my shopping list. And am I the only one who HASN’T signed up to the world of TikTok? I’ve SAVED MY SOUL... And saved my bank.

[@nichelleritter9480]

So interesting to see because I have almost none of this content in my feed!

[@Ellen-vv3wc]

I'm happy this video was recommended to me, I luv it

[@deegassaway6854]

I feel like we're watching one long commercial whenever on social sites

[@acidbunny5]

This is the reason I like to let items Marinate in the cart

[@soediamantis8787]

I recently deleted tiktok because I kept buying tons of shit I thought I „needed“ and it never ends!! Every time I bought something I would find something new to want so I had to detox… It was a good decision…

[@Tretij_rebenok]

Loved your video! Perhaps you're still a bit nervous when talking but this vid had such a calming, human feeling in it. Well executed but not overly polished! ❤

[@reeshamuneer5039]

100% agree with your statements, nowadays brands don't sell to fulfill a particular desire but rather through modern marketing create the desire. It's very deceptive.

[@ValetudoTheNeko]

Such a nice video! I am surprised you only have 10 subscribers so I will sub :) I would suggest maybe having a less monotone voice when you talk about stuff? Idk It would help me and maybe others with keeping focused. Also yeah you are totally right, the whole "clean aesthetic" tiktoks can be so toxic and probs very fake, like well done for them to be always so tidy, but I think it's very unachievable for a normal person and certain "clean girl" influencers can be even so passive aggressive with a "I am better than you" attitude. Those TikToks only want to push us to buy by praying about people's insecurities.

[@AnaandJasmin]

Thank you for the advice, it’s definitely noted. I’m glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@maiaracarvalho6573]

I don’t have TikTok and that’s part of the reason why I don’t feel I would get on that SM. KZbin seems to be following the same trend, so I have stopped following some channels because I do t need to feel tempted to buy unnecessary stuff

[@linajurgensen4698]

I was addicted to buying make up online because I thought I needed products I already have. I stopped buying make up products a few weeks ago and haven’t ordered anything so far.

[@abbywalkerfinds]

Great commentary, great video!

[@waitingrroom]

this was a great video!!! i love your take on this, subbing for sure!

[@umairahfaridfaisal2778]

Adding to the fact, there's something eerie about how gendered the market is. All of the wellness, beauty, fashion trends tend to skew at marketing towards women and AFABs. There's something sinister, must be, behind all of this. Dystopian even. The high expectations on women and AFAB bodies, the expectations to overcome and go beyond to fit a mold of societal acceptance is already intrinsic in patriarchal culture, but magnified in the hyper-reality capitalism made for us. Why does it feel like all the marketing targeted towards men and AMABs feel less so? There's still a market for fast fashion sure, but there's a general sense of value in having something that lasts. I don't know where I'm going with this or even how to fix it, and I'm not trying to imply men's sense of control is better than women (it is not, it's just that women were raised in a cult of beauty worsened by the profit motive), but there has to be a reason behind the difference no?

[@why7189]

I appreciate that this video is shorter. I like video essays but sometimes i dont have the time to sit down for 1-3 hours. I wish more creators would realize that video essays can be shorter like this too and still get to the point well

[@ampersignia]

I’m sorry I am only at 0:11 but I just wanted to pop in and mention that I don’t think that talking about overconsumption on social media ever reduces it. It’s so ingrained as an easy trick to get views. Creators will always default to this crap because it’s way easier than being interesting or skilled, and you can make money off of it in a straightforward affiliate program.

[@marbar44]

i deleted tiktok 2 days ago and honestly today is the first day in MONTHS that i haven’t felt crazy overstimulated within an hour of waking up

[@scarlethunter9361]

I think as a teenager I don’t see as much because I’m broke currently but I definitely see it I’m my idea of the future the internet has taught me that as soon as I move out I need to have this perfectly furnished apartment

[@quentinmartjno]

Ah! I'm in my fourth "home" after moving out in 2018 for university. I'm renting out a room in someone's house because they're going to sell it ~eventually~. Around me I've got my uncle's old desk from when he was a teen and my grandma's twin bedside table cause she only needed one, the library I got myself from Ikea in 2020 and beer bottles with dried flowers inside as decor. On the wall I've got postcards of many places I visited with the money I DIDN'T spend on a furnished apartment 😂 I promise you that life is amazing even without all the shit they're trying to sell you! 💖

[@Rumade]

While you are right that the Internet and fast fashion online brands have made things worse, to some extent this overconsumption has been going on since the 80s. I remember shows on UK TV in the 90s and 00s called Shopoholics and so on that were all about people who had spent too much and ended up in debt.

[@lagimfaresiyim]

Well crafted video essay. Keep it up!! You’ve summed up the topic pretty well :] I feel seen.

[@Mikirono23]

And the crazy thing is nobody in the real world dress like they do online. They wear the clothes to just take photos in.

[@user-jz3kn9pw8d]

Find it frustrating that jeggings wear through between the thighs so damn fast :( I get about 4-6months on average before I need to replace them, they are $25-30 a pair. I find them much more flexible & comfortable for regular wear over jeans (I have had the same jeans for years in the past) & don’t know where I can find comfortable plus size QUALITY jeggings in Australia. Help! Lol

[@LazygirlLA892]

great video, thanks for sharing. I love my ASMR cleaning videos, but am always a little put off by the obscene amount of consumption.

[@13hehe]

"Ideology" is such an apt term here.

[@carwash9333]

Finally a short video essay

[@ashlisarang5381]

Thank you for making this

[@anna_reads862]

"bring back gatekeeping" 😂😂

[@pandemonium_in_a_person]

It’s all about good lighting and good camera work, then the product is suddenly viral :0

[@moonmello714]

I think I’m starting an Amazon fixation I get paid and immediately just go to Amazon and doom scroll for way too long and convince my self I need new things. I’m gonna delete the app because of this video It feels like I’m contributing to this much bigger problem. I need to actually value how far my money goes, I got bills.😅 thank you for the topic 💕🤯 gate keeping szn 🔥

[@honigmilchh]

this video found me after i put 2 sunscreen sticks in my cart after watching a tiktok video

[@honigmilchh]

@Max i completely agree! i should've put in context that i already have sunscreen & the whole reason i added the stuff to my cart was because an influencer on tiktok and they look cute-i don't need them & absolutely do not need two of them is what i meant.

[@Carriedeeznutz]

“Where are you guys getting this money, seriously?” Do not get me started on the predatory “buy now pay later” industry.

[@kirstenmaclellan3182]

my favourite is the ridiculous decanting trend for soaps and pantry items ... half the time not even in air tight containers but also compromising the integrity of the products for materialistic aesthetic purposes. If these people spent just a fraction that wasted time doing something tangible in their community for others the world would be a better place.

[@carsachi]

I've seen hauls since 2009, and I am done, honestly. I got over the need of buying compulsively, but it's hard. I guess for new generations is way harder, since there's ads EVERYWHERE

[@liveesunflower]

My least favorite things is putting things that are in a container already in another container! Like laundry detergent or spices lol

[@maddiemabry2587]

love this, keep spreading awareness, we need to stop this cycle

[@vicc19]

I avoid spending on makeup as much as possible: Lipstick? Good now it's also my blush. Shimmer eyeshadow from cheap palette? I'm never buying a highlighter again. Matte brown pencil eyeliner? Great now I have eybrow pencil too. Foundation? Awesome, make it 2 layers and its magically my new concealer..😅

[@TheMoonlightMage]

I'm shocked you don't have more subs yet. Your content is great

[@ChildofChrist1983]

This isn't just a TikTok problem, it's a KZbin and overall social media problem! I used to watch videos like these, including What's In My Bag videos. And while some of them have been helpful - for instance, helping me discover new brands of food and drinks to try, and that sling backpacks are the perfect fit for me since I am a woman with cerebral palsy and am a minimalist when it comes to my purse anyway, and the Study/Journal With Me and Clean With Me vids are nice when I need an inspirational push - but 99.9% of the time, I just feel so done. I don't care about GRWM videos or even the segments sprinkled in vlogs, as I prefer the natural look and most if not all makeup is just a waste of money, especially when one has an abundance of it. I no longer care about shopping hauls. And let's not forget the constant travel vlogs and the abundance of makeup and purses and things in "Pack My Bag With Me" videos. Like you said in the video: Where's all the money coming from? If I had the amount of money that people are spending in these videos, I'd be saving it, not spending it recklessly. God knows I've done enough of that in my younger years and I'm now 40. I'm not doing to sit here and say I don't slip up once in awhile, cause I definitely do. But never to this level. Ever. I look back on the years I overspent with regret. Anything I feel I no longer need or want, I donate it. It literally sickens and angers me to see videos like these anymore. I'm so done with all of it. And sure one can say, "Well, it's their money, blah blah blah". Okay, allow me to share some advice my own aunt passed down to me in my 20s and 30s: "Just because you have a lot of money, doesn't mean you need to spend all of it." That's especially true when you consider the state of the world we are in now. And our survival needs should outweigh our wants everytime. They say as you get older, you become wiser. And I personally want to spend the rest of this year saving instead of spending. Especially in case of an emergency crisis. And as a Christian, I'd rather live for God and His Kingdom of Heaven than for myself and a lost and damning material world. I wish more people felt the same and I hope and pray they will. "Influencers" included. Just some food for thought. Great video! Thank you for speaking up and God bless you