This month, in order to make sure everybody is mentally geared up when consumer season starts with back-to-school sales in August (though we wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already seen some being advertised right in the middle of summer vacation), we’re talking about taking power back from the consumer machine. Last week we covered our first five tips which were largely about ways to be aware of and send hard messages to the consumer machine. Today, we’re focusing on our second five, which largely have to do with more intimate decisions and personal feelings. If you missed our first segment, you can find the first five tips here.
6. Shop Locally. Very Locally.
When we say shop locally, we don’t mean “go to your local Walmart.” As we mentioned in our first five tips, where you shop and the practices that they support largely drive not only how much you encourage the consumer machine but also how much you are mentally impacted and influenced by it. Somewhere in your vicinity is a true mom and pop store. Maybe you can’t get absolutely everything that you need there, and maybe you’re paying a slightly higher price for things there (and we likely mean slightly). However, when you shop at these stores you not only support your local community (and local dreams), but you send a clear message about your priorities to big box retailers regarding what’s important to you. Big box retailers control not only much of the retail cycle but also much of the media that influences your purchasing decisions. This isn’t just true for stores – the same applies to restaurants, auto repairs and more.
7. Be Your Own Trend.
In a recent article about learning to control clutter and let go of “stuff”, we suggested that you not buy into the rush of “trends” and instead opt for more classic looks. Trends aren’t only bad for clutter, they’re also bad for keeping you separated from the impact of the consumer machine. After all, trends were essentially created as a marketing tool to keep you thinking that you needed to buy more and that what you already had wasn’t sufficient. There are a number of ways the consumer machine works against you here. Firstly, it makes you believe that your self-value is wrapped up in what you own. It’s not! There’s absolutely nothing about the value of you that has to do with the style of your clothing or which electronic gadget you’re carrying. You are bigger and much better than the temporal nature of trends. Secondly, as we mentioned, trends drive you to buy things you don’t need (or even necessarily want). You want to buy things that will bring you joy, not things that are sure to, in time, make you feel inferior. Develop your own style. Be your trend and …
8. Be Your Own Brand.
Everything that we just say about trends is ten times truer when it comes to brands. Firstly, separate yourself from the idea that you’re only important if you’re wearing a “cool” brand. Then do the math on what you’d spend for that brand compared to more reasonably priced items (though still be sure to do the research about what environmental and social practices are going into the brands that you support – cheaper may be cheaper for a reason). There are plenty of ways to have great clothes that look fantastic on you without buying into brand mania. A laptop is still a laptop if it doesn’t have a glowing piece of fruit on it. Shoes can look amazing without an NBA player’s name on them. Your style is yours. It’s not defined by a brand or by western consumerism. Create a style that’s uniquely you. And sure, that may include some famous and known brands, but include them for the right reasons. “Because the consumer machine told you that you needed them” isn’t the right reason!
9. Raise Awareness.
We’re not just suggesting that you get involved in raising awareness about the impact of the consumer machine and how to take power back from it because change is most effective when more people get involved. We’re suggesting it because it will also have a benefit to you. The more involved you are in spreading the word about the impact of addictive consumerism the more you’ll find yourself being aware as well as wanting to be a good role model. The best way to help yourself to overcome the influence of the consumer machine and take back your power is to be passionate about it. The more you take a leadership position in the postconsumers movement, the more passionate that you’ll find yourself being.
10. Educate the Children In Your Life.
The most powerful way to take back the energy from the consumer machine is to stop its reach into the next generation. After all, we believe the children are the future! Whether you have children of your own or are somebody’s favorite aunt or uncle, it’s your opportunity to share the message of finding satisfaction in life through something other than “stuff.” You don’t have to deprive them to do this. We have plenty of tips on postconsumers.com for educating the next generation of postconsumers. Remember, if there are children in your life, then their understanding of consumerism and its influence on them begins with you.
Tune in next week for our next five tips, which are all hands-on ways you can separate yourself from the influence of the consumer media machine.
Related Information
Why the Power Always Lies with the (Post)Consumer
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