Six Habits to Develop to Become a Conscious Consumer
Our world is fast-paced and consumer-driven. Products are more available now and it’s all available with the click of a button; often times, effortless and mindless. Consumerism is a part of life; we consume necessities such as water, food, housing, and clothing. These consumables add value to our life, but many of us also consume more than is necessary.
Culturally, we have developed the mindset that “more is better,” however, all our purchases come with a cost. Not only am I referring to the financial cost, but the psychological and social cost as well. Our purchases have a significant impact on us and the world around us, whether we realize it or not.
What is Conscious Consumption?
Conscious consumption is having a deeper awareness of how your purchases impact the world around you. Our choices on what we consume have a direct impact on our society, the economy, and environment.
How Core Values Drive Conscious Consumption
Our purchases reflect our unique interests and what we believe will enrich our lives. It’s natural to seek products that simplify our lives or solve certain challenges. However, sometimes, we are drawn to items that represent our ideal selves – the person we aspire to be and not our true selves – the person that we are.
Our purchases reflect our core values. For example, if your core value is family, you may be buying board games, activities for your family to do together, or adventures for your family to go on. If your core value is professional success, you may be buying business clothes, office supplies, or new technology. If your core value is health and fitness, you may be buying a gym membership, running shoes, and weight equipment. (And so on and so forth).
Our purchases reflect who we are as individuals.
If you are not aware of your core values and aren’t focused on them when you make purchases; you may find your life becoming cluttered. Becoming a conscious consumer takes effort, but it isn’t impossible. Concurrently, remaining a conscious consumer takes effort too, but focusing on your core values, having a sense of self-awareness, and practicing mindfulness can help guide you in this journey.
Questions You Can Ask Before Making a Purchase
- Is this a want or a need? Do I truly need it?
- Will it just become clutter in my home? Does it add value?
- Will this item last? Is it durable? Will I end up spending more money replacing it?
- Is this item ethically made or sustainably sourced?
- Does this brand share my core values?
- Will this purchase hurt the environment?
Six habits to develop to become a conscious consumer:
Every great habit starts with small steps. Commit to one of the following strategies for becoming a more mindful consumer and then add to it.
Shop Second Hand
Shopping for secondhand items is not only great for the environment, but it can also be an incredibly fun experience. Look for quality pieces that can stand the test of time and build your home or wardrobe a little at a time. You can find everything from stylish apparel and furniture to top-notch appliances and cookware at second hand shops. You can shop at thrift stores, consignment shops, garage sales, or even on your local community Facebook page (If you don’t have one, create one! Share items for free, trade, or at low-cost – it not only strengthens your community, but it can also save you money and make you a more conscious consumer).
Shop Local
By shopping locally, you are making a positive impact on your community. You can support the local farmers, artists, parents, and community members, helping to strengthen your local economy while also reducing the environmental impact of buying from bigger companies. You have the power to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life within your own community.
Consume Less
By consuming less, you are taking the first step towards living a more intentional life. Think about what you truly need, why you need it, and how it will add value to your life. Watch as your consumption decreases, your money increases. It’s pretty cool.
Research
Consider your values before shopping for consumable goods. Research environmental impact, plastic use, fair-trade practices, and company ownership.
Repair
Attempt to repair the things you own instead of buying new items. By doing so, you are helping to reduce waste and ensure our planet stays green. Even if we can’t fix them ourselves, there are always people around us willing to offer a helping hand (thanks mom). Repairing our items gives our belongings the chance to have a longer life and remain out of the landfill even longer.
Reduce Waste
Be mindful of food waste by planning your groceries and resisting the urge to buy impulsively. Choose sustainable alternatives and reduce packaging waste by buying items in their natural state whenever possible. Another option would be to invest in reusable options: switch to reusable bags, straws, and water bottles. Choosing reusable items over single-use plastics helps reduce pollution and protect our health and environment.
Whether you are just starting this journey or have been practicing it for awhile, be kind to yourself. I’ve found with life changes that my ability to do these things has waxed and waned and that’s okay. We are only human, after all. We have to accept our lives the way they are at times and we can only do so much mentally and physically. Sometimes I buy my groceries online and do the pick-up option, which uses plastic bags and that doesn’t align with my core values and beliefs. The environment is really important to me and I don’t agree with how much plastic is developed and used. However, this past week, our entire household has been sick and it was easier and more convenient for me to order the groceries online. Convenience of picking up the groceries via online ordering and using plastic bags trumped me wanting to save the planet this week. I will still make effort to reuse these plastic bags or recycle them within the store. Most of the time, I use my reusable produce bags and grocery bags and do my small part. Bottom line, be kind to yourself as you practice these habits. Any small step to becoming a more conscious consumer helps!
The Impact of Consumerism on Mental Health
Consumerism has a negative impact on our mental health. We don’t need to constantly keep up with others’ purchases, have the best-of-the-best, and compare our lives to those around us. In today’s society a lot of us struggle with comparison and wanting what others have; this isn’t sustainable or realistic. We are all on our own life journey and if you focus on being true to yourself and your core values; you’ll find that what others are doing doesn’t impact you as much as it used to. And I need to mention that buying unnecessary items clutters our spaces and our minds leading to stress and anxiety, which obviously isn’t great for our mental health. Buy less and breathe more.
Consumerism is Not Sustainable
Our access to items has increased exponentially, leading to the desire for instant gratification and spending money on low-quality products that are not durable. Consumerism is marketed to target us and push us to buy as many things as possible, as quickly as possible, with as little thought as possible. In doing so, we are hurting the environment and ourselves.
Conclusion
Imagine the power of defining your core values and deciding what matters to you as a consumer. You have the ability to shape your life and positively impact the world. By developing techniques and finding strategies that work for you to make conscious decisions, you can lead an intentional life and inspire those around you to do the same.
Take a moment to pause and think about the immense impact your purchases can have. In a world where products, ads, and services are constantly pushed in our faces, let’s rise above the noise and make choices that align with our values and beliefs. Together, we can create a cleaner future. 
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