How underconsumption can teach us all to be happier with less

In today’s episode, we dive into the trending hashtag #UnderConsumptionCore and its impact across social media. We discuss its TikTok origins and how it aligns with minimalism. We also emphasize the need for nuance and caution against it becoming just another fleeting trend. Our conversation covers how guilt and shame can influence sustainable change and the limitations of short-form platforms like TikTok for deep reflection. We also explore the risk of turning under-consumption into a competition — and remind ourselves and you that It’s about mindfulness in buying and spending, not a race to own the least.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Trend of Under Consumption
02:32 The Nuance of Under Consumption
06:53 Fatigue of Overconsumption and the Response to Under Consumption
09:09 Guilt, Shame, and the Need for Inner Work
13:10 The Aestheticization of Under Consumption
19:18 Beyond Aesthetics and Competition: Embracing Under Consumption
26:02 The Importance of Long-Term Change
29:19 The Connection Between Under Consumption and Poverty
31:05 The Pressure to Keep Up and the Rise of Buy Now, Pay Later
37:17 Under Consumption as a Catalyst for Change