Overconsumption

We can so easily get caught up in overconsumption. Just take a minute to think through yesterday, or the day before: how many activities did you do? tasks did you take on? times did you pick up your phone? moments of silence did you have?

Did you take any moments to pause and breathe, process the conversation you just had or the food you just ate or the accomplishment you just made? I simply fear that we- as a society- rush through our days without slowing down and processing what's taking place, what we're doing, how this chapter of our life is playing out. A big culprit in my opinion is excess activity. So many are lightning quick to pick up their phone the moment they aren't doing something or talking to someone. Waiting for the water to boil before tossing in your pasta? Scroll on Instagram. In a group of friends and they're talking about a topic not directly related to you? Browse Facebook Marketplace. I think what we often find uncomfortable is doing nothing.

Why is this?

I think it's because we exist in a society that places such a high value on productivity. In fact, we prioritize it over sleep, meal time (including preparation and the actual process of eating), and hobbies.

But you know what? I truly believe there is so much value in not overconsuming. In taking a moment to be silent- to look around, to listen. It's about balance, really. We hear it all the time. To have work-life balance, a balanced diet, a balance between hobbies and responsibilities. I want to express the value in really not overdoing it, though. We aren't meant to constantly be doing, we are meant for being, too. Being in nature. Being with each other. Being with our thoughts and our own creative ideas. I know from personal experience that overconsumption leads to burnout which doesn't allow for creativity to flow. And that's really what we want for our jobs and careers, isn't it? To be able to bring forth our best work, which includes our own thoughts, ideas, solutions.

Additionally, I'd like to throw out some food for thought: what you consume alters your behavior. This includes the YouTube videos you watch, the people you surround yourself with, the foods you eat, the places you're spending your time. So, I think it's worthwhile to consider how a certain mode of consumption may affect us and make our choices accordingly. A simple example: it's been a long week of work and you have fun weekend plans but your friends asked you to go out tonight, for a spontaneous night out. You know that it will probably include eating fast food, drinking alcohol, staying up later, and possibly being around certain people you may not fully vibe with if you're going out with a big group let's say. You already have fun weekend plans, maybe with a select few of the people you could see tonight, and you're really feeling like this isn't the best decision for you. What would staying in, or choosing a different activity do for you? Staying in, making a healthy, home-cooked meal after work, maybe journaling about your week to process and reflect it, and then getting good sleep is what you decide. That could greatly support who you want to be. You want to feel well-rested for your last workday tomorrow, plus you want to take some time to just be with yourself being a weekend of having fun with other people. Another example: going to the park and reading versus laying on the couch and watching TV. After scrolling in bed in the morning for longer than you would have liked, you don't know how to spend your day off. You have dinner and movie plans with who you live with on in the day, but are feeling unmotivated currently. It's easy to want to stay plopped on your bed or on the couch, mindlessly scrolling or playing games, maybe snacking. Another thought comes to mind though: you could walk to the nearby park with your book and an apple. You'd be consuming fresh air, getting in some steps, and a story that either makes you feel relaxed or maybe teaches you something (if it's a nonfiction-type book). Additionally, that's less blue light and less processed food you may feel compelled to get if you just stayed home.

All-in-all, I just want to bring attention to the fact that the choices we make will affect how we feel, and that plays a role in how we are spending our days. Do they reflect what really matters to us? And, what would happen if we intentionally take just a few out of the many moments in our day to say no to a certain kind of consumption? I think it's okay, and can be beneficial, to put the phone down, to say no to that quick french-fry run with your friends, or to simply let yourself be for a minute. Be with your thoughts, or be with your surroundings by looking and listening and wondering. It feels weird when you give it a try, and you may think you look silly or you may feel bored or like you're not accomplishing anything, but you are making a difference, trust me.

I want to end by making it clear that I am not perfect by any means, in any topic I get into on a blog post. To write about these topics that matter to me though is merely a reminder to myself; It's tapping into my own heart, per say, to refresh my mind on how I'd like to lead my life.

Thank you so much for reading,

xox, kat :)