Witchcraft under Capitalism 🏡 Cottagecore, Witchcore, and the Classism of Ethical Consumerism

[@louiserossiter4310]

Even once you've learned to knit making your own garments is an expensive hobby - you could buy cheap yarn from the pound shop and look for a free pattern but then where's your motivation to spend the 20 to 40 hours knitting it into a jumper that you're not going to love making and wearing and at minimum wage costs between £228 and £457 in labour

[@activistwitch]

Very true. I crochet and it's a limited hobby of mine exactly because of a) yarn costs for pretty, sturdy, durable yarn and b) it's not sustainable to do or to even make stuff beyond a hobby because it's impossible to monetize for the time it takes.

[@ReikiRev]

Not to mention people shaming you for using acrylic yarn. Yet will buy imported wool that had to be delivered on a freight ship truck or plane

[@technopoptart]

i know this is aside from the point but you can unravel charity shop sweaters and blankets for very cheap yarn, you jsut has to make sure the hems/seams are not trimmed

[@activistwitch]

@@technopoptart always good to know 👍🏽

[@cronchyskull]

Also the horrors of starring to knit a sock, putting it down for a few months because, y'know, life stuff, and then picking it up again to have no clue where you got to and you're only on the first damn sock still. 😭 A nice problem to have, sure, but still shows how it's not super practical.

[@kikidevine694]

I've been on the witchcraft scene for forty years; it used to be a case of using your imagination and cutlery drawer; now you can't move for the latest cool accessory you absolutely need to do what you could do with nothing years ago. I don't need more clutter to make others richer.

[@activistwitch]

Part of my misunderstanding of what was happening in my village being fill Witchcraft was indeed that tools and aesthetics weren't a thing, if anything everything was hidden behind religious iconography

[@alisonmercer5946]

Yes

[@n.normal1565]

you can do just as much with a kitchen bread knife as you can with an expensive occult athame covered in runic sigils. it can do everything the athame can do, plus it can also cut bread. 🤣 I'm 100% camp old school.

[@arianbyw3819]

Same here, nearly 50 years a witch, when I started there were few books or tools or even cool accessories! We used what we had, made what we could. Funny thing but I still use my own stuff more than store bought.

[@RoseBleueDuRosierSec]

In fact, sometimes it's cheaper to buy clothes from the bargain bin and use the fabric for a different thing than buying new fabric. We've used my mom's old blouse to make a skirt this year. No way I can afford that quality in new materials.

[@activistwitch]

I do remember my grandparents doing the same, in her old age it's all my grandmother did. The time alone to do it, without even considering learning, is a luxury in today's poverty we cannot afford.

[@activistwitch]

@@FunkyLittlePoptart the fact you can't imagine how much people have to multitask with their time is shocking to me. Do you know when **I** who make KZbin video have time to watch a 1h video? When I wash the dishes, when I have to clean the house. I cannot afford to not multitask. Do you want to add anything to show how your privilege doesn't even let you imagine how poor people survive?

[@casehill417]

Exactly. Even when I was poor as dirt and working 50+ hours, I would still go to the thrift shop and use those clothes or that fabric to make things. It's something I love doing and it's my happy place. I didn't have a sewing machine for awhile, so I'd just hand sew and hand embroider things.

[@meowsmyths]

@@activistwitch I'm in college rn (scholarship, could NOT afford this otherwise), I pick up sewing stitches by bringing my stuff to class, deconstructing half the seam on an old garment, and then re-sewing it repeatedly til I can mimic the stitch pattern. learned leatherwork cleaning tack at a riding stable for a job pre-COVID. observe everything.

[@meowsmyths]

@@activistwitch doing dishes to this video literally right now lol

[@sienathewayfarer]

As a physiologist, I want to clarify some functions of dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine of course modulates a sense of reward, but it has more to do with motivation. In the best scenario, dopamine actually does help motivate us to participate in long-term projects. If you already know and have experienced the reward behind and understood action, you actually get the most dopamine release in the build up to receive that result. Dopamine is released during new rewards. Serotonin, on the other hand, specifically influences mood. It is not simply a happiness chemical. For example, there is a circuit in the brain which shuts down the prefrontal cortex and therefore shuts down some logical reasoning while a trauma response is being formed. Serotonin released within this circuit actually creates the trauma response. You don't want all the serotonin all across your brain always. When it comes to the ways that social media hijacks our reward system, essentially, what it is doing is taking away neurochemical resources from our long-term motivation system.

[@activistwitch]

Thank you for the full explanation, I skimmed on it but thankfully the resource cover that 😉👍🏽

[@kj5250]

That’s so interesting Thankyou!

[@dejahdanger]

Thank you for that explanation.

[@ethandarcy5940]

Balancing neurotransmitters is the new humourism. "Dopamine is hot and dry and makes you act like a cokehead, while serotonin is cool and wet and makes you act like a stoner. Meditate and medicate your way to balance." But as the good doctor pointed out, the effects of the transmitters, like other signals, depend on context. The color red can signal "stop," or "get out of here now."

[@nharber9837]

My mother’s friend had a thing she would say when I was growing up, and it’s stuck with me: We’re all a few missed paychecks away from giving lap dances at a truck stop to survive. Unless you’re rich, but that’s a conversation neither of us can afford.

[@activistwitch]

And in fairness it's a wrong perception that getting into lap dancing is that easy even when as a last resort

[@goldensloth7]

@@activistwitchyeah, most people couldn't just get hired. you have to be strong to poledance. plus have the approved physical appearance and tolerance for the work.

[@nineblackgoats]

I am so glad someone is finally pointing this out. As a fervent nature lover I try my best to be eco-conscious within my means, but the thing is, living sustainably IS expensive and time consuming. I have bills to pay and only 24 hours in a day, when am I supposed to churn my butter and sew my clothes? Also, speaking of clothes, I'm in love with your sweater 🐸💗

[@activistwitch]

The most problematic thing is I deed how capitalism just turned things around and went: no why should the system change when I can provide the illusion of ethical consumption for a premium and that way pit people against each other? We'd love to think as individuals we can make a change but capitalism uses that to make us focus on the wrong thing when the only thing that works is organising as people against the system

[@wickedash_]

Most people aren’t willing or ready to step outside of their performative activism to have such nuanced conversation and radical empathy. I appreciate this video so much.

[@activistwitch]

youre righ and to be fair, i am not sure even i would have understood the practicality of things had things not gotten as bad as they did at some point. empathy would be great but as human beings sympathy is much easier to develop when theres a chance of identification more than abstraction. if sharing my research and my first hand experience helps others being better than me before i fell on hard times, then it was almost worth it!

[@MissMeganBeckett]

Yarn and nice enough fabric to make clothing that will look professionally made up when sewn up if you have that skill is also very expensive, probably even more expensive than buying from a store so even if you know how to knit or sew it’s not less expensive, especially if you’re allergic to acrylic products like I am so I can’t use a lot of the less expensive yarns. I can knit and I do sew to mend my clothes if they have been damaged but it isn’t at all cost effective to make my own clothes or to knit much actual clothing outside of for my own enjoyment in making it, so I mostly don’t make it myself I buy it because I can’t afford spending that much on clothes.

[@activistwitch]

Same, I have learnt to crochet but between yarn and time costs it's just not a luxury I can afford beyond the random placemat

[@teresekokholm9723]

It used to be. I learned to sew in the 90's and for about a decade I made my own clothes cheaper than at stores, but since 2000's it is cheaper to buy clothes from fast fashion (and the fabric is probably produced under the same conditions) Yarn is extremely expensive! if you can spin your own yarn, you can get wool for free or a bottle of wine from hobby meat farmers though (but the amount of time an effort to make a sweater is huge - why we made factories in the first place)

[@megsmagicalmansion3543]

As a person who sews... I love this! I get most of my fabrics by thrifting or repurposing thrifted clothing. Just because something is repurposed or thrifted doesn't mean it's uncomfortable or cheaply made. I often find high-end designer clothing when thrifting, so I end up with nicer items than I could afford to buy new. Plus - There is so much satisfaction in making and wearing your own creations! I produce clothing I need and love - and it usually last a lot longer because I create items that will last. The history you brought was fascinating! The part about how this all impacts our brains chemically was so interesting, too! Thank you for sharing all this!!!

[@activistwitch]

Thank you for watching and sharing! 🙏🏽🖤

[@lalat5899]

1:05:52 As a self diagnosed neurodivergent, it makes so much sense why I’d get frustrated with humanity for not seeing or caring about the game being played on us. But recently I’ve had to let it go and be at peace with the way the world just is. People are pack animals and most animals follow the heard.

[@activistwitch]

Then again without us we likely would have never branched off and created the wonderful multicultural world that exists so I still try to focus on that. The world can stand still for so long, and then one of us comes around and shakes it like a Polaroid picture 😉

[@activistwitch]

@@antigonarosaura7845 it's actually very well recognised and valid to self diagnose given the barriers of the health system..you know what's very rude? What you just did here. Next time I'll block you.

[@RoaenHere]

Gonna make a painting that says "Pleasure but not happiness" that I can upload as the front for all of my debit and credit cards from this day forward.

[@activistwitch]

Hey, marketing uses propaganda to make us want stuff we don't need, having a reminder of that is just playing fair on the same ground 😉

[@geraldinegranger9186]

Ah, I can see why witches have historically been marginalized and persecuted. This all makes too much sense! Kind of scary to the power structure. Great podcast!

[@activistwitch]

Yeah in fairness there's an entire video to be made based solely on how the witches trials were really against women living independently of a man out of their own labour helping other women (midwives) or the village (herbalist). Silvia Federici's Caliban and the Witch is entirely about that and maybe if it's of interest might do a video specifically about that in the future

[@kat8559]

@@activistwitch this is historically untrue and has been debunked by many historians

[@txspacemom765]

@@activistwitch THIS PLEASE! YESSSSS!

[@kristena5825]

Something I always try to remember is that if I didn't need it and go looking for it, buying it isn't my decision. If I go to the store and see something and say oh that's so cute I should buy it, that decision has been made for me by someone who couldn't care less about adding value to my life. Me choosing not to buy it won't bankrupt the corrupt companies marketing it, but it will preserve a little bit of my free will and that is enough reason to ignore the dopamine rush of "retail therapy." I'm not fighting against capitalism because I think I can win, I'm fighting to protect my ability to keep fighting.

[@activistwitch]

And if you can make that choice and it makes you feel better good for you. It becomes a problem when our "goodness" becomes something to look down upon others who we don't know the struggle of to judge the choice by our own metre.

[@briannas.1912]

Love this mindset!

[@clarebeforebreakfast5044]

1:00:21 on the cage-free vs caged eggs: I just took an animal welfare/ethics program and an animal husbandry program (each 16 credits) back to back and we talked extensively about caged vs cage-free egg or broiler chickens honestly torn. Cage free chickens get to roam around, but the legal requirement for how many chickens can occupy space is increased (so they’re packed tighter), they have higher risk of disease, bullying, cannibalism, etc. Caged chickens don’t get to roam around, but they are also physically safer from disease and other chickens. So it depends on what aspects of animal welfare you care about. It’s a lot more complicated than that, with a lot more factors, but that’s the 101 of the complexity of the topic.

[@activistwitch]

Thank you for sharing these details!

[@WolfsbaneWitch]

I loved everything about this video! Thank you for such an awesome break down of capitalism and the illusions of consumerism. I think topics like this need to be explored deeper, especially within the witchy/spiritual communities. If we strive to be connected, aware, and to able to "see beyond", then we must be able to see beyond not just in terms of the unseen world, but in our seen reality as well. Late stage capitalism is at the door, we can no longer afford to live under illusions. A bit of a personal tangent here but... I went to art school for Visual Communications. I learned advertising, graphic design, marketing, etc... and over that process I feel like it radicalized me into realizing that modern art and design is only made to manipulate people into buying lifestyles (aka, products). I did my senior thesis on comparing advertising to political propaganda and I wish I had more time to write it because the rabbit hole goes deep... I gave up my dream to become a professional artist because I realized in order to succeed in the commercial world, I'd need to sell my soul to make visual PR for companies. I'd rather be poor with high personal value than rich and morally bankrupt.

[@activistwitch]

This is so interesting, thank you for sharing Eddie! If you ever feel like making a video sharing what you learnt and how you seneit applies to the community I would definitely watch!!!

[@EmL-kg5gn]

If you ever explain this in more detail I’d be super interested too!!

[@Rey-it3sg]

Going to art school also radicalized me in this way. There's no real "art" jobs that value art itself. Art centered careers only value wealth and connections. If you're not from a rich family with connections in the high art society, then you won't succeed. That's why most high art or modern art is less about expressionism or abstraction and more about making meaningless art with the most expensive materials to sell for as much money as possible. Basically, rich people money laundering is what high art is. I'm ok with Jackson pollock and his splatter paintings but I loathe Anish Kapoor and his red-paint-shit-through-doorway bs. If your art isn't going to have a message/meaning, at least lean on the elements and principles of art to make something visually appealing or that makes the viewer think. When I see Anish Kapoor's art all I see is rampant consumerism, capitalism, and waste, which is exactly why I hate it. That's to say, I still do art on the side, but my career focus is now architecture, horticulture, and landscaping as I want to make an active difference in my community.

[@EmilysTarotandMagick]

So interesting Eddie. I second @EmL-kg5gn I would love to hear more about this if you decide to do a VR and expand on your experiences. 🙏 xx

[@zazilsolis78]

I love this! I studied Communication and digital media, with a specialization on art and I completely agree with you! I also radicalize myself, I realized that “authentic” art it’s pretty rare, because you have to sell your soul to sell everything. Now days, nobody cares about the craft itself, nobody cares about making art just for “arts sake”, the spirits of the artists who refuse to sell themselves is so long death. It’s tragic to actually inform yourself about how much we are always being sold things. 💔

[@lauriannebonnici]

You’re the YT witch I’ve been searching for 😍 I’m not even halfway through the vid but pausing and saying WOAH. Thanks for the amount of information that went into it! Explaining the economic systems better that any of my university professors AND tying it all with historical events, trends and witchcraft?! I’m gonna be scouring through your channel heavily!

[@activistwitch]

I'm so glad you found it useful! I know uni and school in general was so confusing to me too until I started to come around podcasts and essays and realised "this helps A lot to put things together and without having dyslexia challenging me" 😅

[@insolubleCorrosion]

my local thrift stores are full of shein clothes that are more expensive than on the shein site 😭😭 luckily I am able to spend the time to shop around and wait for sales/coupons and such but to say that thrifting is a good replacement for ALL fast fashion is just not realistic

[@activistwitch]

The irony!!!

[@nonaureos]

Perfect video. Hits exactly all of what my silly little brain wants. Discussions of capitalism, marketing schemes of morality, dopamine addictions, “pleasure but not happiness,” and the place of aesthetics/cores as both sedative and signifiers, among others. My brain spins on these topics seemingly endlessly and I like the way you’ve brought them together. I watched this video in quick succession after Zoe Bees video on fascism and imagination, which has led me to connect some dots, especially regarding potentially utilizing the impacts of the pandemic for radical change. These are good videos to watch together, I would recommend the combo. Also I like organized, yet unscripted style. Perfect video, good job, thank you.

[@activistwitch]

So here's the shocking thing to me: on another channel I tried to make video essays since 2021. Zoe Bee is indeed one of the video essayst I most looked up to so hearing that accidentally on this channel that started purely for person reasons I managed to do something that echos and resonates with people who watch those I so look up to means truly the world. Thank you for your word, thank you for watching, thank you for taking the time to tell me this 🙏🏽🖤

[@s.thrall7838]

Really loved this video. Especially the discussion of dopamine and how the drive for more drives consumerism. It really helps me put my personal psychology into a historical context in a way that is providing valuable insight. Thank you! And I appreciate the reminder to look at the context of someone's situation before moralizing on their actions.

[@activistwitch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheLurkerFox]

Honestly, this is fairly refreshing- A lot of people shit on people for buying fast fashion, and the "consumerism" and that stuff. But people are poor and people want new and nice things... I lived in near poverty conditions, like sorry I want to be able to buy something pretty, instead of buying bargain bin clothes that look like shit and are uncomfortable, but is cheap.... There is pretty much no ethical consumption under capitalism. Like yes - Shein is environmentally crappy. But we are broke and they have nice stuff, and for someone overweight like me - they actually have my size. None of the local stores carry anything my size that doesn't look like Alla Pugacheva's closet. So sorry, I will buy my cottagecore sweater, and a pair of pants from Shein, so I can actually come to work looking decent. (Legit I have been wearing the same 3 pairs of leggings for the past 5 months, coz my last pair of jeans got torn and is way too expensive to buy now ones.)

[@activistwitch]

We are on the same boat so truly I am glad this resonates. The way capitalism has marketed morality is so ironic and you're right: there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. In my original comment reply to that thread I also brough up the size point as well so thank you for mentioning it!

[@LaLaLoopsyCutie]

literally. and shein clothes don’t just break down as if they’re tissue paper. i’ve seen all of hot topic’s merch feel and look the exact same as shein stuff. it’s all from the same chinese manufacturers so idk what ppl’s problems are. idk what ppl have going on w their washer and dryers but shein clothes have never torn or fell apart after a wash. i think ppl just don’t know how to wash their stuff imo. at least i don’t spend $80 on three things on shein like i do hot topic

[@RoseBleueDuRosierSec]

​@@LaLaLoopsyCutie my only problem with shein is their dyes are not very good so you are going to have to wash them separately from other clothes and in short cycles, but they do not get ripped to shreds. Also, you can mend them fine. I've had fast fashion dresses I've been using for 10 years. You're absolutely correct.

[@mishasa2751]

Alla is an icon, tho 💀

[@activistwitch]

@@RoseBleueDuRosierSec oh yeah, like the bit about "shein exists because it's how the system was set up for profit" makes absolutely sense for it not to have high quality materials (though with care they can definitely survive more than the hate marketing against it say)

[@agatabrioches2917]

Idk I usually don’t comment under videos but I found your channel and I’m so happy cause your videos are great and finally I know that there are other activist witches out there! Lots of love❤

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so much!!

[@NostalgicHime]

This is such a refreshing video! It has been bugging me lately how many of the content creators I see push slow fashion products but are unrealistically pricey! Paying $245 (not counting shipping) for ONE single item of clothing is just not reachable for so many of us. It is very easy when the company gifts these items to the content creator. It's just not our reality. We shouldn't be feeling awful about ourselves for buying fast fashion clothes which is more affordable. And if we think on it, thrift stores depend on people that donate their fast fashion items. Thrift stores are not what they used to be. Since they are on "trend" they're becoming just as pricey.

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so much for watching, so glad it resonated with you!

[@queenfrankiesoup]

Thank you for this video - it's incredibly refreshing. I'm literally writing a dissertation right now about knitting and class in the north of England in the 20th century. Knitting isn't money-saving, in material or time. Even using the cheapest acrylic yarn, it's conspicuous consumption - you're saying you have the time and skill to wear custom clothing. Also, if you wear complicated knitted garments, you're placing yourself in a position of power in a community of knitters - you can choose to serve as teacher or gatekeeper. (Re. neurodivergence - there is evidence that microtransactions are particularly dangerous for people with ADHD so we're not always immune to capitalism's "charms" - see Laura Kate Dale's accessibility channel, or Steph Sterling's Jimquisition re. this.)

[@activistwitch]

You have an excellent point on micro transactions and ND people and to be fair once I finished this video I realised "I need an entire one specifically geared towards tarot and collectionism" because that kind of thing really becomes enticing for an ND person that makes that their special interest. Sapling tarot recently made a video about tarot and autism which I highly recommend

[@queenfrankiesoup]

@@activistwitch Oooooooh, I do have an unhealthy obsession with tarot and lots of neurospice! I will definitely check it out - thank you!

[@hollychetan-welsh2764]

This was recommended in my feed. You are BRILLIANT. This is such a wonderful grounder and reminder of the factors at play. I’m gonna recommend it to everyone,not just my fellow witchy types!❤

[@activistwitch]

Wow, thank you! I'm so glad you found it useful! Thank you so much for watchong and taking the time to comment!

[@alicek5178]

An incredibly well put video. Thank you for the depth with which you discussed this topic, it was a really refreshing look at it.

[@activistwitch]

I'm so glad you found it useful! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch! 🙏🏽🖤

[@BenebellWen]

This was such a fantastic presentation. I was riveted from start to finish. And learned quite a bit. Thank you for putting this together and putting it out there. A very important conversation for our community to be having.

[@activistwitch]

I literally went giddy seeing this comment from you Benebell! I love your works and videos so much, your attention to detail and resources are always so impeccable that it I have done something YOU appreciate, then it's truly the best compliment possible for me 🙏🏽❤️

[@yalasongs]

Very glad your video got recommended to me. Your voice is very pleasing to hear as I draw & learn :D Thank you for putting so many reference videos in the description as well!

[@activistwitch]

I am still so grateful for the wife reach this video has because it's really the kind of video I've wanted to make for years so I'm glad this channel gave me the excuse finally to do it! I have a new similar, albeit shorter, coming out tomorrow about catholicism and witchcraft, stay tuned 😉

[@KayleenGnwmythr]

Thank you for an absolutely brilliant video 😊 The nuances are exactly what I have wanted to see someone cover - especially classism and poverty, and you have done all that so well.

[@activistwitch]

thank you so much Kayleen it helps so much to hear it other can appreciate the nuances. Alas it is true that there is no ethical consumption against capitalism, but whilst trapped in it we can either fight each other or understand and then support each other against the system, and I hope all I do serves the latter

[@KayleenGnwmythr]

@@activistwitchI think the collaboration you have included here is a great example of supporting each other against the system.

[@selmar6918]

What a fantastic discussion this is - thank you so much for bringing a bit of much needed philosophy and thought into witchy KZbin world! thanks for all your work behind scenes

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so much for having the patience to sit through this! I was really glad I had the chance to bring some theory and the educational side of my life into a video that's about my personal side and practice, seeing how the votes for the next videos are going in the community tab there's going to be more of this 😉

[@selmar6918]

@@activistwitch It was an absolute delight to listen to the whole video, honestly - Im glad this is being felt by many others and definitely mega thumbs-up to more of this type of content, if it feels inviting to you too!

[@EmilysTarotandMagick]

This video is honestly pure gold Ysha! Amazing beautiful voices - I loved this so much. And yes soooo true. I felt nourished, seen, heard, held, supported and fortified listening to this - like finding my tribe ♥ I love how you approached this with such sensitivity and understanding - the nuances around this are so key to highlight as well - the elitism of aesthetics! Just so beautifully articulated! 👏 Thank you thank u thank u! ☺ 🙌 🌟 I am so thrilled that your work is reaching more people as well. Truly magical. So grateful for u and your voice in the community 😘 Xxxx

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so so much Emily I am very glad to hear it resonated. I've always wanted to make this kind of video and I'm glad if in the future there will be other ways to bring random theory that got stuck in my head through the years with witchy examples that fit 😉👍🏽

[@lilykatmoon4508]

What a fantastic analysis! I taught high school in Texas, USA for 18 years. Economics was one of the subjects I taught, and I wish I had this breakdown of capitalism to show them. Of course, being in Texas, I would have been burnt at the stake, lol, but I thought it a very succinct explanation of how we got where we are now. I did become a witch during the pandemic. Rather, I discovered I was one during this time, but I have health issues and money issues and getting on disability has been a three year odyssey so far. I dont have much disposable income to spend on anything. I really liked how you pointed out the problems of fast fashion but didn’t shame those who purchase it. I’m also pursuing wearing historical dress as an authentic expression of myself. I’m slowly sewing a late 18th century outfit, and it takes a lot of time. I’ve acquired materials from the thrift store and asked for resources for Christmas and birthday presents. I’m very privileged to have extensive support from my family. I recognize that many people don’t have the resources I do have. I continue to wear my modern clothes, but I have only bought one item of clothing (jeans for work) in the past three years. I’m thankful to you for including lots of resources for us to check out to further our education on this topic and have saved this video to go back and reference those sources. I love your channel, your content, and your spirit. Take care.

[@activistwitch]

This is one of the best compliments anyone could pay me, that you so much!!!

[@TwighlightAngelRose]

I just started this video but the first moment of it is YES 🙌 Thank you! Witchcraft is literally becoming the fashion brand and many just go around and by cheaply made, non eco-friendly products, that they may have for a few days or weeks that they wear only because mainstream media deems it “trendy” and “cute”. I am all about people exploring other spiritual paths and getting things that resonates with their soul. I’m not here to criticize those that buy cheap stones and call themselves witches (though that’s a whole can in itself) I’m here to agree that the term witchcraft has become diluted somewhat in these times. Cottage core or green witchcraft is the most common because the whole “eco friendly” vibe and “becoming more in tuned with nature.” “Making your own stuff by scratch.” Which is grate! If you’re actually doing it. But a lot of those people arnt. They instead of up cycling old jars from peanut butter or jam or using herbs and stuff they do have on hand to make something new, they just go and buy it. It isn’t easy to make some the things. Hell I have a whole thing of egg shell powder just sitting there waiting to be used. 😂 But you know if they take the time to actually do some of these things even just making something small by hand they will see and feel the difference. It’s so sad how and where this world is going. 😞

[@activistwitch]

As the meme says: to find a witch, just out free empty mason jars outside your door

[@Lunaleodrune]

Wow, every sentence that came out of your mouth was SO interesting and gave me a lot to think about. This was absolutely fascinating and I learnt a lot, thank you so much.

[@activistwitch]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching!

[@SaplingTarot]

Such an interesting video and a whole bunch of topics we need to be discussing more!

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so so much for your help on this Imogen, your work was absolutely outstanding! 🙏🏽🖤

[@EmilysTarotandMagick]

Yesssssss 💯 😘

[@beanbaghagwag]

Thank you for all the work you did to research this topic! I must admit that I fall asleep to cottage core every night. Puts me right to sleep. What is with the corsets worn on the outside of a dress??? I don't get it! LOL That and always with the leather belt. OMG I am so far from Cottage Core! Even witch core. My sister farmed. I know what farming looks like, and it's not cottage core. I know what witching looks like, and it's not witch core, but I find both inspiring as far as the aesthetics go. My house is Trish Core. I have a style all my own. I LOVE this awesome and thought-provoking video. By the way, your sweater is SO CUTE, and you look cute in it.

[@activistwitch]

I feel you! The life in my grandparents farm and the cottage core aesthetic are as far from each other on practical terms as one can imagine, I noticed it every time I spent time in a rented cottage built and furnished exactly according to an aesthetic rather than the real practical way a farm cottage is set up.

[@EmilysTarotandMagick]

Trish Core yessssss! 😂 I know what farming looks like! 👏 lol - exactly - here in Devon its a lot of mud all the time living next to woodlands and farms - but it gets soooooo romanticised its actually odd when you start to objectively consider it Xx

[@BeverleyButterfly]

Omg please talk about the pandemics! Suddenly all the things disabled people had been asking for like theatre at home and jobs able to be done at home and had always been told couldn't be done... Happened so easy! And now? It's all gone

[@activistwitch]

I will definitely look into it to see if there is actual research done on it otherwise might take me some time but even just speaking to disabled people or people who became disabled during the pandemic with long COVID and such, might be needed sooner rather than later

[@spaceanarchist1107]

I am disabled, and one of the best things that ever happened for me was home delivery from supermarkets and other local stores becoming available. Fortunately, that's one of the changes that seems to have stuck after the pandemic.

[@LavenderHazelwood]

Lots of good points here that I could never string together in a coherent talk myself. xo, Aurora

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so much for your help Aurora! ❤️🙏🏽

[@EmilysTarotandMagick]

Yes soooo much gold and so wonderfully presented ❤

[@verucabeckwith3014]

Ysha, I really appreciated the nuances discussed here. Brilliantly said. I wanted to leave something poignant but you've said it all! ❤ Side note: I always enjoy your video essays! Happy to see one on this channel!

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so much for spending time watching this Veruca, it's so appreciated 🙏🏽❤️

[@alishabale2275]

What an amazing and well-researched video. Thank you so much, you clarified SO much for me. Hugs from the US.

[@activistwitch]

thank you for watching, glad to hear it was useful!

[@BleakNovemberrain]

Immediately I have become a subscriber. Thank you for bringing up topics that really resonate no matter who you are. Also, your frog sweater is freakin adorable! Hail! 🖤🐦‍⬛💀

[@activistwitch]

Glad you found it interesting! Thank you for taking the time to watch and even comment!

[@moonfairy2325]

I had so many awakenings during this video, thank you for making these concepts so tangible

[@activistwitch]

i'm so glad to hear I managed to make sense :)

[@takke9830]

Oh oop I already watched this before lol still a fantastic video tho! We def need more of this content online! Also I love that you‘re a witch too! Same here! Love that for us :D

[@mitchelrow3]

The effort that must have gone into this video really shows! I enjoyed this so much! Thanks!

[@activistwitch]

@@mitchelrow3 thank you so much! I was literally talking now with my spouse about how this was made in four days but really, to know and be able to make the connections between the things we talked about here, that's the work of years of personal curiosity and active research. It has given me great confidence to see how my mind thankfully now just draws connections independently after gathering casually so much info 😅

[@mitchelrow3]

@@activistwitch That's so lovely to hear! I'm trying to go on a similar journey of curiosity, right now, so this is really hopeful. Thank you!!

[@MegHardin-de2yc]

I love the distinction you give between aesthetic and subculture! This was very helpful for me in restructuring my thinking. Thank you for the video.

[@activistwitch]

So glad it was useful, it actually comes from an article I linked in the resources if you're interested in looking more into the comparison between the two

[@ingiefilms8327]

Thanks so much again for such an informative thought provoking video. You’re a star, blessings ❤️

[@activistwitch]

You are so welcome, glad.to hear it was useful!

[@itty-bittyghost9787]

This is by far the most insightful video essay on the topic of consumerism I’ve had the pleasure of watching, the gears are turning. thank you for sharing!!!

[@activistwitch]

So glad to know it was useful! Thank you for watching!

[@saddragonbean]

Having been leaning more into practice and daily meditation, beginning days in a clearer mind so I have the ability to point my ND brain at the things I want to get done, I'm happy I came across this video. It's a good reminder to carve out that space. Disconnect from the dopamine wheel.

[@activistwitch]

Finding out how dopamine works literally encouraged me to do meditation now that I understand the mechanisms more than any promotion of it I heard all along!

[@cerberusguardianofthegates7104]

Merry Meet! :) - I love the look on your face every time you know you are totally right!!! Awesome Glad to find a subscribe button well worth hitting. BB!

[@activistwitch]

Oh gosh hope I don't look too smug but yeah even just researching this video gave me a lot of satisfaction realising how things make sense!!!

[@lisahopkins9117]

I loved this!!! This is the first time I’ve watched any of your videos, but it won’t be the last time. I studied anthropology in college, and this brought up so much theory that I’d learned but never pieced together with specific economics. Thank you for this thought-provoking video.

[@activistwitch]

I'm so glad to hear, I have all this information randomly stored too that sometimes it's food to have the excuse to make a video just to make sense of it

[@Tera_B_Twilight]

Buying the fabric also, as counterintuitive as it sounds, does not save you any money compared to buying something mass produced.

[@activistwitch]

Between fabric and time to make it and time to learn you're absolutely right, I don't think people giving that option actually spend time understanding the privilege that's still needed, it just become a quick way to put others down and feel indeed just morally superior

[@lachsvierhunderteinzwanzig]

Our planet, our home is on fire. The fire rages, threatening to consume everything we hold dear. In this moment of crisis we have two options: Either we immediately grab everything at our disposal to put out the fire and save our home, fight the blaze with all our might as we are powerfull especially together, or maybe do we gather first in the living room having endless debates about who caused the fire, who is most exhausted and which fire extinguisher would be best? What are we going to do?

[@activistwitch]

Or it's secret option 3: understand that individual responsibility is how the corporations keep you distracted with your own egotistical need to think you're "good" and what we need to do is unite to end the system, because no matter what we do to one company, 10 more will sprout in a system that rewards shein's behaviour.

[@lachsvierhunderteinzwanzig]

@@activistwitchAll eyes on the corporations and politics. But without our impulses nothing will change. We need to act on all levels together. It's not about thinking oneself is good, the others are bad. But it's also not about finding excuses for going on like always, that's all. It's about doing together all possible. If enough people boycott the most harmful companies this creates pressure on these companies and pressure will be exerted not only on these companies, but on the general approach. And this is just one factor of the wide range, which we need to do now, same as politics

[@activistwitch]

Ok, in all of this maybe don't put the moral demand on people who count pennies to the end of the month? But you clearly kinda like it seeing at your comment history just here.

[@lachsvierhunderteinzwanzig]

@@activistwitch I clearly said everyone has different prerequisites and opportunities to influence things. But please don't underestimate people's power so much just because they are financially disadvantaged. We are still powerful, if we forget that, their plan will work that we, the majority of society, will allow ourselves to be completely disempowered by the system. I think we both ultimately want the same thing.

[@activistwitch]

and infact the BDS list exist, but when you take the moral highground in who follows it more, you lose any touch with reality that's not yours.

[@StevieLWeisend]

I really needed to go to bed, but I watched the whole thing! You explain things so well. Thank you!

[@activistwitch]

Gosh thank you so much for watching 😅

[@pointedlogic]

This is my first video of yours (I found you through Aunty K's tarot) but three minutes in and I'm here to stay!!! Love your approach, your subjects of choice, and your sweater too 🥰

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so much I'm so glad you found this useful!

[@BeverleyButterfly]

This was an incredible talk and so interesting! I loved the history and talking about capitalism which clearly only works for a small amount of people. I love cottagecore and witchcore I dress this way most days and I get most of my wardrobe by thrifting! I show what I thrift on my channel so I can encourage people to buy more second hand. But I'm also on benefits and know not everyone is average size like me and cannot buy from charity shops. The internet makes people too much towards people who have no choice but to buy from fast fashion. They have their place it only annoys me when people could buy from small shops and slow fashion but choose not to! I loved this video it needs to be a regular podcast xx

[@activistwitch]

Eheh i wish we could always update this, hopefully we'll manage to do at least once a month videos like this. In the UK admittedly we're lucky with Cottagecore as in most charity shops have so many things coming from old people's houses that the random knick knacks alone are naturally shabby chic. I do love your videos on thrifting 🙏🏽❤️

[@pokeppokep]

Remarkable work, I'm so glad to have found your channel!

[@activistwitch]

Honestly had it in my had for months I'm so glad I finally had an excuse to share my thoughts on the matter 😉 and so glad you found me! Hopefully the other stuff on the channel is to your liking too (I do recommend the playlist on problematic sides of witchcraft cause the maiden mother crone and bioesseentialist nature of Wicca at times so needs dissecting)

[@rosemarysykes6178]

Thank you for your research and passion; you raise so many important points.

[@activistwitch]

My pleasure! So glad all this random info in my brain finally paid off to share this!

[@sarahannferrigan]

I love your channel so much. An intersection of so many of my interests.....anti-capitalism ✅️ witchcraft ✅️ psychology ✅️ activism ✅️ systems analysis ✅️ gender ✅️

[@activistwitch]

oh my goodness i am so glad i'm not the only one that is at the intersection of all thee interests!

[@ArtemisScowl]

You are such a good teacher, it was so easy to follow along ❤

[@activistwitch]

That's really one of the best compliments one can give me, I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment 🙏🏽🖤

[@alanamcnaughton9807]

This video is so well done. There are so many moving parts to capitalism and you are able to speak on multiple parts and how they overlap in such a digestible way. Well done. I especially appreciate the emphasis on class. I've seen way too many folks being shamed on their consumption habits in a way that benefits/perpetuates capitalism. I hate that corporations have more rights than most humans.

[@activistwitch]

Very glad to hear it was easy to follow! It's the first video essay that I do unscripted but I reckon having researched the topics for years it was pretty cemented to allow.memto simplify and exemplify as much as possible

[@glowerworm]

The extent of my interaction of cottagecore is my minecraft world. I'm practically vomiting flowers and greenery everywhere in order to make my world into a sort of digital serene heavenly home for myself. Especially since I plan to leave my country in a year, and I expect I'll need some mental safe space. And the extent of my experience with witchcraft is just Senua's Saga (a very emotional, spiritual, Nordic game). So in a way I'm your standard consumer, but I think it shows how these "artistic life styles" are more than just their fashion or even their history. Young people are interacting with these scenes because they like the current lifestyle or aesthetic, and for better and worse, sometimes their opinions aren't shaped by the history.

[@activistwitch]

I completely get it, that's why I tried to provide a tiny hint to scratch the surface. Ps I know hellblade! A friend of mine consulted on it!

[@brnne]

Its good hearing a fellow comrade, following here

[@activistwitch]

Glad to hear you found it useful! Thank you!

[@isadora6092]

fantastic video!! i've been waiting for a witch on youtube that would actually tackle specifically the relationship between witchcraft and capitalism. we arent doing witchcraft in a vacuum!!

[@activistwitch]

Oh yeah I'm so glad you found this interesting. I was quite worried bringing this side of research and work to the witchtube community but I'm delighted to see we can have these conversations!

[@yellowzora]

I haven't finished the video all the way yet but wanted to say thank you. For me, it really is about buying fewer things (because I already have a lot of quality clothes that fit me well and where I like the style, I'm very fortunate in that regard) and I have the time to volunteer in a charity shop for a couple of hours a week. I also have the time to teach myself how to sew my own clothes (I made a skirt last year and making a top this year, not exactly fast going but it's very fulfilling) so I know that at least for right now, I don't give fast fashion my money. But that doesn't mean that if lots of my clothes suddenly break and I can't find a good substitute in a charity shop, I won't go there and buy from them, because I really don't have the money to pay for more. It is an individual choice, everyone should be aware of what the options are and then they can decide what they can do, personally. If people earn lots of money and constantly overbuy on everything, I will judge without holding back. But I don't know any people like that myself

[@activistwitch]

And to be fair you are highlighting a way to show solidarity from those who have either time or economic privilege, because I don't have a choice, but those who do help not adding up just out of consumerism. And that's how we get out of the crab bucket.

[@rebeckajarl3934]

In 2022 a textile worker for H&M apparently died at work after being denied sick leave... still have not found the information about the scandal I remembered from about 20 years ago... H&M are definitely not a company that in practice are ethical nor sustainable, they just marketing themselves as sustainable.

[@sentientbeingslove]

I am sooo in love with that sweater though, it looks like something my grandma would have made and worn ❤ But great video. Very well researched and comprehensibly explained, interesting throughout, and wonderful points!

[@franettamcmillian5645]

Thank you for an informative hour! I’ll be checking out more of your videos in the future.

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so much for watching 🙏🏽 glad to hear you found it useful!

[@brunafaria3253]

What a great video, loved hearing your thoughts on consumerism and capitalism.

[@activistwitch]

Glad it was useful! Thank you so much for watching!

[@thewisdomwench]

Great video! I just want to take a moment to appreciate the amount of research that went into this, its amazing 🌱

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so much for watching. This was basically the evolution of theast night chats I have with my wife where I keep asking "why" like children do. Eventually after a few years I asked enough that I finally understood and then could share 😅👍🏽

[@lhetarot3771]

Thank you, fantastic work 💜

[@activistwitch]

So glad you found it interesting, thanks for watching!

[@lagreenwitch]

So good to ear a witch talking/caring about capitalism and other connected things. It's one of my specific interests. I wanted to add that aesthetics are a form of internalized capitalism. We no longer need ads to associate feelings/fantasies and commodities. I think it's also linked to the constant entertainment flow our generations used to absorb. I'm nearly 40 and still don't know who I am without these layers of movies, music, fantasy worlds, etc. Of course the web 2.0 accelerates this. I also have a pop magick era and then realize that it was like wanting to use the Sauron's ring against him. I'll watch your other videos to feed my starving brain 😄

[@activistwitch]

I think you're hitting the nail right on the head: we learn by watching others, by assimilation and repetition. the media has simply been coopeted by capitalism at this point and so normalised we do their job for them

[@jillianarbour5323]

So happy I found your channel!! This is the kind of witchcraft I can get behind

[@activistwitch]

Glad to hear! Thank you so much for watching!

[@iefim]

The full quote goes: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people." Opium is not just an addictive substance, but a medicine and a painkiller. What Marx meant, is that religion makes lives of the oppressed tolerable.

[@activistwitch]

Tolerable is not exactly the point of opiates though, the point is loss of consciousness enough to not care and keep following what comes from "above"

[@raeorion]

Im so excited this video seems to have popped off for you! Yourube suggested it for me and I appreciate your perspective so much. I'm often surprised by the number of people who don't intersect over anticapitalism and spirituality. Many of my leftist friends are pretty atheist science focused people which I totally appreciate as well but I think qualities of things like spirituality and magic are things that we will one day understand with science and we just haven't gotten there yet. And on the other side a lot of really cool and interesting channels I have found about topics like witchcraft, paganism, spirituality etcetera end up being wildly profit motivated and focused on what actually seems pretty explicitly capitalist motivated. I get we all have to survive in the system in which we live, but that doesn't mean we need to lean into it and forget about the repercussions of the consumerism we participate in or perpetuate.

[@activistwitch]

I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one needing this then! I opened the channel last autumn exactly because I knew that activism and spirituality in general (and witchcraft in particular) were intrinsically related but no one else made it their main point. I have been discouraged repeatedly by other content creators to NOT make this my niche but I'm so so glad to see I wasn't the only one who needed to explore the intersection! Thank you so.much for this comment definitely makes me feel less alone 🙏🏽🖤

[@okkovacs569]

This reminds me of Slavoj Žižek's commentary on recycling; The mass majority of pollution is done by massive corporations and their factories..yet they offset the responsibility on to the population and gave us recycling bins to "Do our Part" ...only for us to discover later that recycling and regular garbage is brought and dumped into the same pile, but home owners are charged for Recycling Pickup services.

[@activistwitch]

I will have to look into that because yep, exactly the same thing 😔

[@sabbycat]

I watched this entire video and holy moly it was interesting the entire way through. Thank you for opening my eyes for some things

[@activistwitch]

So glad to hear you found it useful at all! Thank you for watching and for commenting!!!

[@ADHDqueenB]

Thank you for this video!

[@activistwitch]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@terinskyweaver]

I really appreciate this Ysha, thank you.

[@activistwitch]

Glad you enjoyed! That's for watching!

[@JennieMaeJune]

It’s like when food pantries only have canned food, but no chips, cookies or candy. Like poor people don’t deserve pleasure because they’re poor.

[@activistwitch]

Very true!

[@TarotMagpie]

Loved this, so many interesting topics in this video!

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so so much for your help on this Sylvie! I look up to your work and the values that transpire from what you share so it really means a lot to know I have done something that encounters your favour 🙏🏽🖤

[@bones3748]

The perfect video to play while I’m cleaning up and resetting my altar ❤❤

[@activistwitch]

Love me some witchy learning 😉

[@runestarckx1135]

I just want to add a bit to this conversation about shein; yes all fast fashion (and even some bigger 'luxery' brands) is bad. They all steal designs, they are aaallllll veeerrryy bad for the environment. but sadly SHEIN is WORSE. there are multiple articles, video essays, etc. that make it very clear that shein just overproduces even more than others, they often ask even more of factory workers, they work on a way bigger scale, etc. Its pretty clear that SHEIN is by far the worst worst option. Also; yes everyone needs clothes, but the entire point of slow living is that we dont need to overconsume. So yes, buy from fast fashion if you dont have time and money; but only if you really need it. If you do have time and money, go and buy secondhand or ethical but also only if you really need it! i really enjoyed this video and its an interesting conversation :))

[@activistwitch]

On the overproduction I will point to this source which unfortunately I found after the video was already published: clothes still with labels (from TJ maxx specifically in the picture, so "high" labels) thrown in massive dumpsters in the Atacama desert. Again, I am surprised at how easily we fall prey of the subtle racism to make Shein out to be something western washed corporations have invented, but because they know how to market themselves, we still think the Chinese corporations are worse. www.tumblr.com/thescentofrainonstone/751854167344168960/tchaikovskaya-unbossed-im-really-not-trying-to?source=share

[@AnMuiren]

Brilliant! Thank you and your learned, creative comrades so much.

[@activistwitch]

Glad you enjoyed it! my pleasure to share!

[@internetfox]

around 43:00 while I get the point of what is being said here, it would behoove us to be very careful about the generalizations we make about dopamine and other neurotransmitters. Pop psychology has spread a lot of misinfo about this, and the research is far less cut and dry than the popular understanding. KZbinr Zatzman has a great (and very entertaining) video that helped me better understand it called "The Dopamine Detox: a Comprehensive Debunking"

[@activistwitch]

That is beyond simplified you're right, to cover this much territory in one hour it had to be, I do hope people check the full resources provided on the bibliography

[@Perifore]

You are fantastic and I can't wait to hear more from you! I just realized that the difference between commerce and capitalism is mass exploitation. Of course merchants have existed as long as civilization (likely) but it was primarily individualized rather than the core tenant of society.

[@activistwitch]

You are spot on! Even if with merchants there probably was conspicuous consumption from the upper classes the lack of any other marketing, pr or advertising didn't make it exploitative. Bread was bread was bread. Sure we got to bakers trying to save up cutting floor with sawdust and then sure enough we got... Here 😓

[@blvespark]

so much integrity spoken, well done

[@activistwitch]

"My poverty, not [just] my will" made it kind of necessary (apologies for the bastardisation of that Shakespeare quote)

[@FoxInTheStudio]

On the idea of "stolen wages"... Anyone who makes their own products and then sells them themselves knows that having to do it all within a business by yourself is ultra draining. I'd argue that the stolen wages are actually management wages. The problem is when management becomes bloated and parasitic rather than symbiotic.

[@activistwitch]

Then it brings the issue though: once the profit they kept lays back for their investments, what's the excuse of still stealing wages? The thing is, the capitalist doesn't manage, still hires someone to do it, much like a landlord hasn't built so won't maintain the house you still pay rent to

[@FoxInTheStudio]

@@activistwitch I think the ideal situation is someone who wants to invest capital has a set period where they get paid back, essentially being paid for lending their money/rendering a service, and after that, they have nothing to do with it, end of contract, go on their way and find other labourers/artisans with skills but no assets to start up, which is what banks do anyway. I also agree with the "you don't need money after x amount so let's keep societal dignity levels high", so a world where people will seek to help others (and help themselves a little in the process) but where excess is useless to the individual would be much better. I was more commenting that, as someone who makes a lot of my own stuff, I have often lamented that it would be nice to essentially have a business partner who was business inclined in a way that I am not, so I can see that appeal

[@activistwitch]

@@FoxInTheStudio no the ideal situation is the people own the means of production.

[@colorblockpoprocks6973]

@@activistwitch managers aint people

[@LauraRamirez-zd3il]

As someone who has been a manager and director of sales, and who worked proxy a variety of 'positions' to assist makers in bringing their items to a larger market, and with much success (as quantified by the makers themselves) i co-sign your post. I saw many others who did what i did and did so in a very greedy and dishonest manner and ultimately stole wages from the makers.

[@Silly_Sulky_Seli]

what I've been doing is informing people, recently a coworker mentioned he's thinking about ordering from Temu and I said "really?" someone else said "I don't it's not good quality" and gave a personal example, I agreed, but knowing he'd still need the item he mentioned wich I didn't know any shop for I mentioned "I heard Shien's better quality, but if you can I'd just research it some more" and we also talked about how the advertising each do shows their mindset on their quality "Shien keeps it clearly to the point and Temu is like quick to get a free DRONE now!!" and discribing the ad made him laugh and agree he'd rather take Shien so he felt swell so he can get what he needs while having the info he'd need and not feel terrible, so if he can have a choice it wouldn't be a random shot in the dark wich can reduce the worst of worst cheaply bad stuff to die off first

[@activistwitch]

Channel 4 recently made a dispatches episode on temu and you're very right :the issue there is not only quality but safery

[@athenagames2574]

This is an awesome video, such good research amd critical thinking

[@activistwitch]

glad you enjoyed it! I figured instead of just having long chats and debates with my wife and my friends it was worth putting into perspective and share :)

[@lulumoonwoodmurakami8734]

I learned a lot from this and I know there is a LOT more to learn about it. I’m interested in hexing the patriarchy and want to learn more about this organizing that you speak of.

[@activistwitch]

so glad to hear this was useful, i do plan on making more of this style of videos :)

[@victoriajankowski1197]

Random aside for interaction, The Veblen effect works with names as well, poor people pick 'rich names' for their babies and in under 20 years (about a generation) those names now being associated with 'the poors' loose favor with the rich who find new names (or very old ones) and the cycle repeats.

[@activistwitch]

It makes problematically sense thanks for sharing this!

[@dejahdanger]

Great video. Definitely looking forward to more of your content. 🖤🖤🖤

[@activistwitch]

Thank you so much 🙏🏽

[@gooseofspooks2500]

Why I personally don't buy fast fashion even though I'm poor is that it's not worth it imo because the quality is so bad, I feel like I end up paying more in the long run because the clothes break down so quickly and it's not really worth the effort to repair such low quality material. I buy as much as I can second hand but I've noticed it's getting harder to find good quality items there in recent years. Learning basic sewing and mending has been really helpful so I can repair and resize when my weight fluctuates instead having to find new stuff.

[@activistwitch]

@@gooseofspooks2500 I really hope I can learn to mend myself because that's just something that would let me save so many clothes. Admittedly I just go around with holes in them rather than throwing them. Though I will say this for some Shein and Primark clothes in my experience: depending on the fabric (denim and corduroy come to mind) some are just as long lasting as the more "premium" that are supposed to last longer.

[@gooseofspooks2500]

@@activistwitch Morgan Donner made a great video showing different mending techniques that inspired me to finally learn and it was actually easier than I had anticipated, I recommend that if you're looking for inspiration too! And yeah higher price doesn't always mean better quality unfortunately, that is why I'm hesitant to buy things online.

[@maycarmel8416]

This was a really good video, thank you for doing this!

[@activistwitch]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!!!

[@Eyeolair]

Not sure how I got here but thank you for an insightful video ❤

[@activistwitch]

Serendipitous discoveries are the best aren't they? Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching!

[@neurospicypisces]

Liked, subscribed, saved to playlist...and actually, shared. KZbin, please show me more of this

[@activistwitch]

Ehehe thank you, you might be in luck because, much shorter, but I'm a few hours a similar video on catholicism amd witchcraft is coming out 😉

[@VannahSavage]

You said so many things I’ve been unable to articulate but wanted to say around this topic, thank you! I don’t really have anything to contribute, so I just thought I’d sacrifice a comment to the Almighty Algorithm and subscribe. Blessed be!

[@activistwitch]

Thank you! Hope the algorithm goes listens to you 😅🙏🏽❤️

[@enyan6696]

Im so happy I found your channel!!!

[@activistwitch]

Glad to be found by like-minded people! 😉👍🏽 Welcome!!!

[@xxTobehxx]

Wow I learned so much from this video, thank you so much! :)

[@activistwitch]

So glad.you found it useful! Thank you for watching!

[@linwong1494]

I liked this video in general, but I want to add to "If we are not hooked all the time, we would take time off of dopamine.” While I fully agree that consumerism is used to sedate the populace into complacency, but I would argue it's the life sucking work hours we have to do in order to just *_SURVIVE_* that is the main reason none of us are taking time off either work or things that give us dopamine, and the stress of it all driving us to seek dopamine hits in lieu of having no time to breath.

[@activistwitch]

You're absolutely right and in fact we sat how things could be different during lockdown, and then when that ever we could only go for the next breast thing: Cottagecore

[@Radhaun]

As someone who does make some of their own clothes, people who think sewing is cheaper than buying premade have never looked into the cost of materials. A single shirt for a relatively small person is going to take anywhere from 1-4 yards of fabric (depending on the style and cut and if you cut to use as much fabric as possible or cut for continuity of grain/pattern). Just for fabric alone, you are looking at a base of 3.99/yrd of cheap acrylic fabric. Cotton is more likely to run you 5.99 but now is probably going to be closer to 7.99. And that is not including the pattern you're using, any thread you need, and if your pattern requires buttons or elastic or lace (since we're talking about cottagecore). I am 100% for people learning to mend and make clothes if that's something they enjoy, but we should stop acting like it's a cheaper alternative. Making a garment piece out of high quality materials is going to cost more than buying the same high quality garment elsewhere and is going to cost a lot more than buying a lower quality garment. If you aren't already proficient in sewing, it also probably won't fit the first time you make it and it may not last longer if it's the first thing you've ever made. Sewing is a skill that takes time to practice, there is a lot of trial and error that will also ultimately cost money (Everyone I know who sews hates the cutting process the most because once the fabric is cut, there is no going back). And of course, all this is assuming they have either the time to hand sew all their own clothes or has access to a sewing machine. I definitely support people going to thrift stores because a lot of them still have dressing rooms and it's much better to make sure you like the fit of an item before it ships to you if possible, but not everyone has the luxury of time. If you have to shop somewhere like Shein or Temu, just rigorously read reviews, especially ones that have pictures so you can make sure what's promised is actually being delivered.

[@activistwitch]

Absolutely true, real pictures Vs staged pictures to sell a product are at times an issue of their own!