
GREEN VOICE VERVE
Tackling Overconsumption and the Influence of Social Media in 2025
by Bria Zegarelli
January 15, 2025
In the age of technology, social media, and online shopping, overconsumption has unfortunately become incredibly easy and common. However, with little steps of progress and effort, overconsumption in your everyday life can significantly decrease! As you start 2025, consider making sustainable shopping a part of your new year’s resolution, keeping in mind the following eight tips:
1) No more impulse purchasing
We’ve all been there: seeing a product being talked about online and then immediately purchasing it as soon as we are interested in it, only to not use it at all or to not use it as much as we thought. Going into 2025, try to be more intentional with your purchases, and ask yourself whether you would truly use that particular product. Waiting a few days before making the purchase can also be helpful; trying this method can help you prove to yourself whether you actually want the product after the initial excitement dies down.
2) Further research for paid partnerships
Sometimes we think a product is great because we see it endorsed by our favorite celebrities or influencers. However, check to see if the video is a paid partnership. If it is, that celebrity or influencer might not actually think the product is good, but they have to endorse the product for monetary or contractual reasons. If you see a video like this, look to see how the influencer or celebrity is talking about the product. Are they just saying how great it is without further information, or are they sharing clips, pictures, or further information about them using it in their everyday life? This can make a difference for finding out whether that individual actually likes the product. Plus, make sure to do your own research, and look for review videos from people who have not been sponsored by the product.
3) Check for similar products at home
Even just the simple task of double checking if you already have a similar product can save you from overconsuming. I find that this is especially helpful for buying clothes or makeup since similar items might end up looking the same once actually put on the body.
4) Budget and keep track of wants vs. needs
Budgeting and making a physical list of things you need vs. want can also be helpful for reducing overconsumption because seeing the items side by side in a list or in relation to a budget can provide a visual for what to prioritize.
Reusable water bottles are also super important so you are not throwing away a lot of plastic ones as you travel, and similarly to the shopping bags, it can save you a lot of money at both restaurants and on the go.
5) Borrow before buying
If you know a friend or family member has a product that you’re interested in, consider asking them if you can borrow it in order to test out whether you actually would benefit from the product.
6) Ask around
With social media and influencers, products can very easily become trendy and therefore much more expensive and hard to find. If you know anyone with these trendy products, ask them for their honest opinion about whether the product lives up to the hype. This can help you stay away from products that may not be worth the expense.
7) Avoid shopping videos
If you really want to avoid overconsumption, specifically overconsumption from online trends, try to limit how much you watch haul or shopping videos, as these can greatly influence people to buy things they do not actually need.
8) Avoid fast fashion
Fast fashion significantly contributes to overconsumption due to the fact that people can buy clothing in bulk for a low price. Fast fashion also contributes to extra waste because buyers also do not feel as guilty throwing these items away due to the products’ being so cheaply made. Try to avoid fast fashion–which is poor quality, is unethically made, and follows niche trends that come and go–and instead buy clothing that can last a long time, is ethically made, and is a wardrobe staple. This can help you be more intentional with your purchases. Plus, if you have clothing that is versatile and high-quality, you may be less inclined to buy what you don’t need since you will already have items that last for years and work for many occasions.

Leave A Comment