A hard habit to break . . .
Everyday we are barraged by hundreds of advertisements telling us we'll be sexy, desirable, be more efficient, have a healthy family, or just have a special moment of quiet if we just purchase their product. While we've been taught from an early age by society that the more consume the happier we will be, many if not most of us are still not satisfied. While we work more to buy more, at the end of the day we're often left wondering if it's all worth it. This cycle leaves less time for things that we choose to do, activities we find fulfilling like spending time with our family, recreating, or just leisure. It's like were on a treadmill of consumerism that keeps us running, unable to step off.
Unlike in a 12-step program, we can't just stop consuming goods, we still need food to eat, a place to live, etc. However, there are ways that we can reduce the amount of stuff we consume. A good first step is simply asking ourselves if we really need to purchase a given product or do we just want to buy it. If we don't have to spend as much money on stuff then we don't have to work quite so much and we have more time for things we feel are important. Remember, "Standard of living" is not the same thing as "quality of life."
Manufacturers produce less if we consume less, which means reduced environmental impacts from the conversion of natural resources into products. Also, when we consume less we don't have to throw as much into landfills and incinerators that pollute our environment. But lowering the amount of stuff we consume isn't just about the environment. It's about us as well. While it may feel that your contribution to saving the planet won't make much of a difference, it certainly does in your community, and especially for you personally. It's time to live life on purpose. Start today!
Top 10 Principles of Good Consumption - some guidelines
Sustainable Consumption - from an economics point of view
The Conscious Consumer from New American Dream
Offers alternatives to current patterns of consumerism including buying less or from different sources
Articles
The New Politics of Consumption
Juliet Schor
Why DO Americans want so much more than they need?
Intelligent Consumption: Addressing Consumer Responsibilities for Natural Resources -- and Beyond
Viviane Simon-Brown, OSU Forestry Extension Specialist
Ecological Sustainability and Consumption
Steve Bowers in Lane Woodland News