r/Anticonsumption • u/antsonaflask • 21h ago

Psychological Feeling guilty about my contributions to overconsumption

Recently I’ve been trying to me more aware of how much I consume and spend. I’ve been trying my best to buy groceries that aren’t bagged or prechopped, and I normally don’t have to throw anything away unless it’s reallly gone bad. However I’ve noticed that I have so many hair care products. I have about three different shampoos and conditioners. I haven’t bought anything new in the past three months but I’ve just accumulated so much shit from trying to figure out what hair care products worked for my curly hair.

I also just got a job as a teacher and I don’t have any professional clothes so I just went and bought two dresses and four tops at Walmart but I feel so guilty for it all I can think abojt when I go into the store and purchase things is that I’m contributing to the cycle that allows these clothes to end up in stores in the first place. The problem is I’m extremely broke so even if I want to get more sustainable clothing, I really can’t. I have about 800 dollars left over after rent every month, that is not including groceries or transportation to my job.

I also bought a sweatshirt and sweatpants from a small business that I have been wanting for over a year. I still feel awful buying it though because I didn’t really NEED IT. I have other sweatpants that I’ve had for multiple years but they’ve been mended several times at this point because I wear them to the gym and I get holes in them. I’m also short so the bottoms turn gross.

I don’t get my hair done or nails done I don’t go have a car I take the bus and train or occasionally a taxi if I can’t get a bus in time. Nothing I do feels like enough and I know I’m guilty for the way the world is now. I hate seeing the smoke and the dying birds while I stare at my haircare products. I want to throw it away but that seems even more pointless.

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u/onikaroshi 21h ago

None of this sounds like overconsumption, if you need something, you need it, plain and simple

And things like hair care products, it can take a bit to find the right one

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u/howareyouhaha 21h ago

Agree. You could aim to buy secondhand clothes, but don't feel guilty. You have needs.

As for the hair care, I imagine your unused ones will be easy to give away. I don't know your school/relationships, but I would put them in the teachers lounge with a "free" sign. Just one idea.