Social media’s love for overconsumption
It is a fundamental part of human nature to want to fit in with society and different environments. As depicted in Maslow’s theory of human motivation, belonging and purpose is a human need.
Social media and brands have tapped into and have managed to profit from this part of the human psyche. Today, being exposed to the waves of different trends in beauty and fashion has become simple and constant.
TikTok has quickly developed into one of the worst platforms for showcasing (often) unrealistic lifestyles that promote overconsumption by glorifying temporary clothing and beauty trends and demonstrating unrealistic multi-step self-care routines.
Following the opinions and usually baseless advice of people on the internet and buying into these trends and lifestyles only just detaches you from your true mind and body, stripping away your individuality.
Nothing should be bought into simply because it’s a trend.
Clothes and accessories should be bought with intent and desire. Our body's superficial needs are very simple; thus, self-care products should be researched to cater to the specific needs of your body and kept simple. Honing this lifestyle will not only save you money but will also help to reduce the amount of short-lived, poor-quality items filling up landfills and oceans and polluting the planet through mass production.
What will give your life true, long-lasting benefit is dependent on what you consume to enrich your mind and body – with regards to food, content, and experiences. What you enjoy and what can benefit you and your life is dependent on what your body specifically needs and who you are as a person, not what a stranger on the internet can promote to you.
Life isn’t aesthetic, and no amount of body scrub, green juice and yoga will make it so - and although these things may still enrich your life, they won’t bring you eternal happiness and they won’t become or give you personality.