Reuse that teabag! Ignore that special offer! It's time to join the underconsumer revolution

[erronis]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/04/reuse-that-teabag-ignore-that-special-offer-its-time-to-join-the-underconsumer-revolution

Most of us already have more than enough stuff. No wonder so many young people are turning their backs on the marketers and influencers

"I never want to own anything again,” messaged my son, packing up after a year abroad. He was experiencing the self-loathing rite of passage that is confronting your acquisitive tendencies; next year, he vowed, he will “live like a spartan”.

I know how he feels. I tell myself I don’t buy much, but as I tidied for a houseguest recently, the bathroom told a different story. How many nail varnishes (I never varnish my nails), micellar waters (my face doesn’t need watering) and oils promising sleep (lies) have I accumulated over the past decade, then dumped in a drawer? Most of us succumb to the unconscious – sometimes wilfully ignored – creep of stuff, only realising how grossly unnecessary it all is when forced to tackle it.

Enter “underconsumption core”. It’s the latest slightly earnest TikTok trend, in which young people extoll the virtues of buying only what you need. Underconsumers come in various flavours. Some present basic frugality tips (cutting up tubes to use the last dregs of product or repurposing jars). Others introduce revolutionary concepts such as “just having one of a thing” (shampoo, handbag), “looking for secondhand alternatives” or “not replacing stuff unless it’s broken”.

Good column.

I just had to vacate my house of 15 years and fit everything I needed in my car. That process was wrenching but ultimately useful - my kids won't have to worry about cleaning up after me.

[flying_wahini]

1. Yes, my biggest gripe is PLASTIC in and in everything. Especially laundry detergents. Those huge jugs.

Did you know the more you melt it down the more toxic it gets?
I use the gel sheets now but they are SO EXPENSIVE.
They are trying to make a new plastic out of algae but that makes me worry for the oceans.
How about we go back to glass ?
Lived in Austin during the late 70-80’s where the first Whole Foods market was. I used to buy a LOT of stuff out of barrel bins with a big scoop. Rice and beans and grains, coconut and other stuff.

[spooky3]

5. Our community lets us recycle those jugs and lots of

Other stuff. They no longer do curbside pickup of glass, because apparently it’s no longer economically efficient to recycle glass.

[Voltaire2]

7. Most 'recycled' plastic just goes into a landfill.

[spooky3]

10. Maybe but not through our program. Nt

[AmBlue]

8. Use powder Tide

And recycle the box. It's better for your washer anyway.

[cilla4progress]

2. Love this! Thanks!

Last edited Sun Aug 4, 2024, 12:54 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm a little embarrassed about my 30 year old carpet, furniture... But I can't fathom replacing them and creating waste. They are serviceable, if a little worn (and dog fur embedded!).

I do need to start seriously decluttering all my acquisitions over a lifetime, as you say, to not create a burden for our daughter.

Congrats to you on your successful downsizing!

[Diamond_Dog]

13. You and I are a lot alike cilla

I’m a little embarrassed about the exact same things in my house. My furniture is old and my car is old but all of it is perfectly serviceable. I don’t do any entertaining so I keep telling myself don’t worry about it. But I also have lots of house clutter after living here over 30 years, plus my husband is a pack rat. 🙂

I remember when I was single and working and I’d buy that Clinique stuff that the saleswoman insisted you needed 4 bottles of every time you washed your face! Rampant advertising for stuff we don’t really need really angers me now that I’m older.

[spooky3]

3. Good article. I went to the one handbag rule some years

Back. Now I’m trying to sort out years of paperwork and other accumulated stuff, as if I were going to put the house on the market (I’m staying but definitely need to simplify). It’s taking FOREVER, partly because it’s so tedious I can’t do it very long at a time.

The simpler life is appealing.

[Deminpenn]

4. Welcome to the Great Depression

and WWII reusing, rationing and recycling!

Fyi, saw those laundry detergent sheets at Dollar General of all places. Of course you can still buy loose detergent in cardboard boxes anywhere.

[FalloutShelter]

6. Mr. and I downsized

A few years when he retired.
It was a big shift and believe me when I tell you that getting rid of the stuff was truly freeing.
Really happy in a much smaller space to age in. Very mindful to not put anything into a land fit that does not have to be there.
I am so encouraged to see that this is an actual trend for young people.

[Freddie]

9. Cat litter in plastic jugs

I can’t lift the big ones so I have to get the smallest size and the containers are gathering.

[MiHale]

11. Moving dictated our purge...

Salvation Army knew me by name…no bull. That was years ago. Next we adopted the adage…Need, not want.

I want all sorts of things…I don’t need any…really. Repurposing is a lifestyle now. We take pride in the practice.
Started at an older age but the goal was and still is…sustainable living. Don’t think, in all reality, we’ll make it all the way…but lessons are being passed on.

[quaint]

12. I admit to owning two pairs of shoes plus mud boots.

But I make up for my extravagance by owning only hand-me-up jeans.

[kimbutgar]

14. When I move seniors and then we clear out their homes we throw away so much stuff.

The food in the pantry that has been open we can’t donate and have to throw out. Dish ware that not donable, plastic containers etc.

Sometimes now when I’m home I clear out a drawer or cabinet of clutter.

[haele]

15. Trying to clean the granddaughters room before school starts.

4 years of clothes, toys, other BS. I was working, spouse had long covid, and their mom believes in shopping therapy.
There's enough decent crap that I think we can rent a truck and sell at a swap meet. Anything that doesn't sell goes to a local vet's thrift shop that also supplies homeless.

Shopping therapy is the worst; I honestly believe it creates hoarders.

Haele

[Bumbles]

16. I'm in the process of "downsizing," meaning . . .

. . . at almost 82, getting rid of anything my son, who will inherit this wonderful house, doesn't want, won't use and will have to ponder what to do with. He's sentimental and will have difficulty dumping anything Mom-related. It's been very therapeutic to take beloved books to the library bookstore, Twice Told Tales. I reminisce and mourn a bit with many of them, but know they will bring great pleasure, knowledge and escape to many others. Getting rid of family mementos takes more thought, but I'm working on it. Jewelry given to me by my ex-husband satisfies two needs - that for money and for a final farewell. I'm feeling "lighter" with each item that finds a new home. My son is a minimalist, so I still have quite a bit of work ahead of me.