emotional buying breakup
breaking up with emotional shopping: my love affair with conscious consumption
By Isabella Grau
Hit with the realization that I had a closet full of clothes, yet nothing to wear, I knew the approach I had previously taken to shopping was wrong. Despite the thrill of adding a new fast fashion item to my closet, I found that I was unfulfilled. My love for fashion grew out of a desire to express my sense of creativity and a way to reflect who I was at that very moment. However, the joy I had once found was overshadowed by the realization that my shopping habits could have environmental and social consequences.
Most people would probably identify shopping as a stress reliever. Shopping can offer sanctuary and an escape from the pressures of daily life. Unfortunately, this method of relieving stress was having a larger impact than intended on the world around me.
It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that I discovered the true impacts of my wastefulness. There were long-term consequences for the planet and for my own sense of self. Fast fashion and trends encourage a short lifespan of clothes and increase the amount of waste. When we shop, we also fail to account for the labor practices that might be used, and quality conditions aren't guaranteed.
The solution? Every time I shopped, I chose to participate in conscious consumption, an intentional and mindful approach to fashion that prioritizes ethical, sustainable, and eco-friendly choices. Rather than being swayed by trends and making impulsive emotional purchases, I take the time to buy clothing that aligns with my values instead of trying to fit into trends. I seek out garments that have less polyester, a synthetic fiber commonly used to make clothing, and ones that have more organic cotton, which is biodegradable. Thrifting online and renting clothing is also an effective way to increase sustainability in fashion.
Although it is not always the most cost-effective option, it encourages me to shop less and add pieces to my wardrobe that are higher in quality, so I can increase their longevity. The purpose of fashion is closely tied to self-expression and expressing yourself; trends have the ability to stifle who we really are. I have found a deeper sense of fulfillment through the slow curation of my closet and discovering who I really am. The fashion industry is constantly changing, but my commitment to conscious consumption remains strong. With every purchase I make, I am savoring the journey and being more authentic to myself as I make sustainable choices.
