More people are stepping away from mindless consumerism, choosing sustainability over convenience. From deleting Amazon accounts to embracing secondhand shopping, the movement is growing. But what’s fueling this shift, and where is it heading?
For decades, marketing has pushed the idea that happiness comes from buying more. But people are catching on. The reality? Overproduction is destroying the planet, fast fashion is exploiting workers, and planned obsolescence keeps us stuck in a cycle of endless spending. Consumers are fighting back, making choices that put ethics and sustainability first.
What’s Trending in the Anticonsumption Movement
https://www.gq.com/story/meet-the-de-influencers?utm
- "De-Influencing" and the "Rule of 5"
TikTok and Instagram have long been flooded with influencers convincing people to buy things they don’t need. Now, creators are flipping the script. The "de-influencing" trend is all about urging people to rethink their purchases, exposing wasteful trends, and breaking free from impulse shopping.
Meanwhile, the “Rule of 5” is gaining traction—encouraging people to buy no more than five new clothing items per year. Instead, thrifting, upcycling, and handmade fashion are taking center stage.
- People Are Ditching Amazon & Big Brands
More consumers are turning away from mega-retailers like Amazon, prioritizing small businesses and ethical alternatives instead. Some are even closing their Amazon accounts completely, opting for local shopping, independent brands, and DIY solutions. https://www.reddit.com/r/Anticonsumption/
Source: 
📌 Economic Blackout Protest – MarketWatch
Source: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/fridays-economic-blackout-boycott-shows-shoppers-are-fed-up-with-high-prices-will-it-hit-retailers-where-it-hurts-4871a04f?utm_
Some are joining economic blackouts to protest high prices.
- The End of Throwaway Culture?
Rather than upgrading phones every year or replacing cars frequently, people are embracing repair, reuse, and longevity. The idea? Buy less, make things last, and avoid feeding into industries that thrive on waste.
It’s a return to how things used to be—when repairing clothes, fixing appliances, and making do with what you had was the norm. I remember my grandparents darning socks, patching up clothes, and fixing things instead of tossing them. Now, those old skills are making a comeback, and it’s refreshing to see people taking pride in keeping things out of landfills.
Source: https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/articles/2022/11/anti-consumption-in-a-world-in-crisis?
- Businesses Are Being Forced to Adapt
As consumers change their habits, businesses are scrambling to keep up. Some brands are launching repair programs, moving toward circular fashion, and focusing on sustainability to stay relevant. Even business schools are being urged to teach anti-consumption models, pushing for real change. (AACSB)
Source: https://time.com/7198791/buy-now-netflix-interview-black-friday/
📌 Netflix Buy Now! – TIME
A new Netflix documentary, Buy Now!, reveals the shocking amount of waste from fast fashion and tech—millions of discarded clothes and phones every day! 😳
Source:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/leighcuen/2024/11/22/how-to-shop-sustainably-this-holiday-season/
With the holiday season here, more are choosing sustainability, slow fashion, and mindful shopping over buying just to buy.
Anticonsumption isn’t about rejecting all purchases—it’s about making intentional choices. It’s about choosing sustainability over convenience, ethics over impulse, and breaking free from wasteful habits.
What do you think? Are you cutting back on unnecessary spending? 🌱
Have a lovely day,
Mariah 💗😊
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Ooooweeee, yES, @theworldaroundme ! We rarely buy new things, and I genuinely cannot remember that last new clothing garment I bought - it might have been back in 2010 when I was first in Italy...
But the joy of raking through quality secondhand and vintage - nevermind foraging, bartering, sharing meals and excess harvest with friends...
The more we move into Living In Gift (i.e. away from consumerism and materialism), the easier, healthier and more inspiring every aspect of life is! Getting water from the fountain instead of straight out of the tap. Picking roadside greens and stopping to chat with neighbours. Treating ourselves to big bunches of flowers from abandoned gardens. The immense thrill of rummaging about in dried grasses to find the first rocket of the season...
... Heaven!
Fab post, Mariah!
🪷
True, true, amazing, and it makes you appreciate the beauty around you. It's full of excitement and definitely sparks creativity, too! Thank you🍃💗😍
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Heyee, that's nice - thank you so much @friendlymoose and @topcomment !
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You're welcome! Keep them quality comments coming!
It feels great to buy (50 cents up to a couple of Euros ) secondhand clothing on the markets, these days, since being together with @clareartista
Aww, you are a lucky man. 😄
🤗❤️🔥
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Thank you. 😊💗
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