Consuming less, finding alternatives, and living only with what’s necessary. The message of Lowsumerism is here and it’s crystal clear: the self-destructive process caused by consumerism can only be reined in through a deep awakening of consciousness.
It is naive to believe that individual habits do not interfere in the life of anyone else. Lowsumerism is a movement that urgently needs to be put into practice: consumerism is an outdated behavior we will soon feel ashamed of.
But what does that actually mean? How can we be more conscious and consume less? How can this behavior work in a society that has been taken over by industries and brands? The answers come in layers and are composed of microtrends that help us see contemporary life from a wide-scale perspective.
In the coming years, the market will tend to take on this mindset and the role of reframing consumers’ desires, moving them away from the concept of excess. Increasingly conscious consumers will embrace new market models that are capable of meeting their needs and desires in a less harmful way.
With an aesthetic that denied consumerism, it was the punk movement that started spreading the DIY word. In essence, both punk and DIY endorse a more intimate relation with personal consumption. The punk spirit in DIY is undeniable and growing in a society that gets more and more conscious about its impact on planet Earth.
The recent study “The Rise Of Lowsumerism” says no to excess and explores the revelation of a new mentality concerning to consumption. Consuming should be a well thought act according to our needs, not a substitute for our lack of time or affection. It’s ok to feel lost when you want such a big lifestyle change. That is why this article will show you some possible paths to start living a lowsumer life.
In order to be free from an economy model that destroys nature and makes it impossible to have significant connections, we have to get rid of its premises. Freedom is not about choosing what we consume and produce, but how we do it. Post-internet society have shown us that by interacting in sharing economy we amplify our flow possibilities, not only in information but also in resources.
We live in a world of excesses and our education is getting increasingly consumption-driven. Before taking their first steps, children already own fully decorated bedrooms, a wardrobe designed for all kinds of occasion, and such a busy agenda that the visit of a close relative can only be scheduled within three months. They grow up believing it is normal to have everything and become frustrated adults. This culture of excess turned everything into commonness.
How do we brake consumerism in a society ruled by brands and companies? Microtrends are showing our entire zeitgeist is turning to “less is more”. Consumers are getting more and more conscious. They are embracing new marketing models, capable to attend their needs and cravings with less harming impacts.
Fashion consumption has been reviewed. Ethical issues are on the table and start being accounted for in buying decisions. When the wrongdoings of the industry come to surface, consumption becomes a conscious political act. Today brands are listening to the rejection by consumers of scandals that degrade human life. The awakening to a more evolved habit of consumption might reach even higher levels in the next few years.
For many girls today, to consume less is a way of self-expression in the world. It means getting your hands dirty and developing a more purposeful and meaningful life. Unlike the life experience of their parents, to own is no longer synoym of success and security. Internet is a key player in this game, providing information and the exchange of experiences and knowledge between girls.
Buying has never been easier, but the innovations that facilitate our life also end up isolating us. Our acts of buying and consumer habits prove that we are growing increasingly distant from each other. Resuming buying habits connected to traditional and local values became a solution to strengthen face-to-face interaction, once lost with the emergence of digital media. Recovering relationships that got lost thanks to fragile and impersonal digital ties seems to be an emerging behavior in large urban centers.
The man was removed from the center of development and many human bonds became commercial relations. We live immersed in consumerism, and individuality became the new flag of freedom (or is it advertising?). As much as we believe that we evolved much since the beginning of times, the feeling is that we grew very little when it comes to consciousness. And it is about time to give it a try.
In a world with less money and more time and access to knowledge, values could not remain the same. Instead of handbags with huge label prints, suggesting its humongous prices, we are now looking for companies that print things we really care about. Consumption as a statement reveals consumers are very aware that everything bought carries a political load.
