What is Hyperconsumerism

Hyperconsumerism

Refers to the consumption of goods for non-functional purposes and the associated significant pressure to consume those goods exerted by the modern, capitalist society, as those goods shape one’s identity.

I’ve been researching the terms true meaning and what’s most interesting is that most Americans are participating in this hyperconsumerism without even knowing or understanding it.  The fact is, we’ve consumed over a third of our planet’s natural resources in the last fifty years and I refuse to contribute to this legacy.  There is a movement underway and I believe it’s possible to own less, and live more.

There is enough in the world for everyone’s need; there is not enough for everyone’s greed.

Gandhi

To be alive in America means to consume and we consume more than any other nation!  This hyperconsumerism has environmental consequences.  Everything we use comes from natural resources in the world that are cut down, fished, mined, grown, etc. and these resources are not of a never ending supply and someday they will be depleted.  If this isn’t a cry for all of us to try the minimalist lifestyle, I don’t know what is.  I thought that minimalizing my life style was all about the inside of my home, but it is so much more than that.  If one million women bought their next item of clothing SECOND-HAND instead of new, we would save 6 million kg of carbon pollution from entering the atmosphere.

Lets all take a step towards a new day and a new way of life.  
Try minimalistic living for one week and just see what happens.