Thanks for this thoughtful post on consumerism. It can’t be any more true and you really gave me something to think about when purchasing — am I buying this for the signal or social capital it suggests or actual necessity
I think one part of pregnancy that I look back on in slight dismay and sadness is how hyper focused I was on getting all the THINGS to "be prepared" and how little we actually needed.
Right now I am debating the pikler triangle and learning tower for my toddler but both of these things are so expensive that I just dont know if they are truly necessary.
I took a week off IG in February and one thing I was amazed by at the end of the week is how it felt not to be advertised to all the time. I didn't WANT to buy anything for an entire week. I think I am due for another short break soon.
This is so good! I'm more of the type to avoid purchases, but have found that this means I don't have that "let's talk about shopping!" or "let's go shopping!" bond with other girlfriends that I miss, but it's just somehow not gratifying for me. It also means that I notice how much chitchat hones in on shopping and buying stuff, and how many friends, acquaintances, even podcast hosts will talk about going on "no spending" phases, or "no new clothes phases", but then it's okay if they get secondhand or "just that one thing that was a must-have" and how there are then always exceptions to the no spending phases.
Really enjoyed this meditation and would have read even more of it!
All childhood posting on Instagram feels so conspicuous to me. Here’s my child: healthy! Drawing! Playing! With me! Actually dressed and therefore photographable! Buried within every photograph I share are flippant marks of easy, satisfied existence that I likely could not circle if I tried.
Thinking about whether the bold and brightness are a reaction to the reality of the burgeoning world of products….and the waste chain they long to combat and yet are frozen within. Like they want to just own the reality, rather than pretend they found that one perfect product, it was barely branded at all, just sat waiting for them on a tree branch somewhere…
This was eye-opening. Is this related to a certain SES level in New York City or am I just out of touch? When I had my children in the early to mid 2000's, I did feel this pressure to "prepare" and have "everything" we would need for the baby, but I resisted due to a need for economy, not a lot of available space, and a desire to minimize waste. I'm so glad I did. We borrowed things from friends or purchased second-hand at consignment stores or craigslist when we needed them and gave away or sold things when we no longer needed them. We kept a few essentials as we planned to have another child, but did with even less the second time around. It makes me realize how much consumption can rule our (daily) lives.
This spoke to me on so many levels. I am guilty of posting lavish things but also have been influenced to buy or even plan trips around popular Instagram destinations. I would love to hear tips to at least be aware and start changing habits.
Thanks for this thoughtful post on consumerism. It can’t be any more true and you really gave me something to think about when purchasing — am I buying this for the signal or social capital it suggests or actual necessity
I love this so much!
I think one part of pregnancy that I look back on in slight dismay and sadness is how hyper focused I was on getting all the THINGS to "be prepared" and how little we actually needed.
Right now I am debating the pikler triangle and learning tower for my toddler but both of these things are so expensive that I just dont know if they are truly necessary.
I took a week off IG in February and one thing I was amazed by at the end of the week is how it felt not to be advertised to all the time. I didn't WANT to buy anything for an entire week. I think I am due for another short break soon.
This is so good! I'm more of the type to avoid purchases, but have found that this means I don't have that "let's talk about shopping!" or "let's go shopping!" bond with other girlfriends that I miss, but it's just somehow not gratifying for me. It also means that I notice how much chitchat hones in on shopping and buying stuff, and how many friends, acquaintances, even podcast hosts will talk about going on "no spending" phases, or "no new clothes phases", but then it's okay if they get secondhand or "just that one thing that was a must-have" and how there are then always exceptions to the no spending phases.
Really enjoyed this meditation and would have read even more of it!
All childhood posting on Instagram feels so conspicuous to me. Here’s my child: healthy! Drawing! Playing! With me! Actually dressed and therefore photographable! Buried within every photograph I share are flippant marks of easy, satisfied existence that I likely could not circle if I tried.
I’ve been thinking about how millennials went for bland marketing (think: glossier) and Gen Z is going for over the top, layered “much is more” stylization. (Reference link: https://www.glossy.co/beauty/the-fall-of-blanding-dtc-labels-rebrand-to-keep-up-with-the-era-of-maximalism/ )
Thinking about whether the bold and brightness are a reaction to the reality of the burgeoning world of products….and the waste chain they long to combat and yet are frozen within. Like they want to just own the reality, rather than pretend they found that one perfect product, it was barely branded at all, just sat waiting for them on a tree branch somewhere…
Random thoughts in response 😊
This was eye-opening. Is this related to a certain SES level in New York City or am I just out of touch? When I had my children in the early to mid 2000's, I did feel this pressure to "prepare" and have "everything" we would need for the baby, but I resisted due to a need for economy, not a lot of available space, and a desire to minimize waste. I'm so glad I did. We borrowed things from friends or purchased second-hand at consignment stores or craigslist when we needed them and gave away or sold things when we no longer needed them. We kept a few essentials as we planned to have another child, but did with even less the second time around. It makes me realize how much consumption can rule our (daily) lives.
This spoke to me on so many levels. I am guilty of posting lavish things but also have been influenced to buy or even plan trips around popular Instagram destinations. I would love to hear tips to at least be aware and start changing habits.