The sparkles illuminating from the trinkets we so adore blind us to a terrifying reality: overconsumption is destroying the world we live in. What seems like a harmless habit of collecting has evolved into an embodiment of senseless purchasing, much to the detriment of our communities, the environment, and even ourselves.
The glamorization of excessiveness, paired with the manufactured pressure and fabricated need to chase the latest trends, has transformed overconsumption into not only an acceptable practice but a celebrated one. Without decisive change, the Filipino society—and the world at large—will choke on the waste of what we once believed was indispensable. In the end, humanity may find itself buried beneath it all—and it will glitter.
The commodification of cute
Overconsumption’s growth stems largely from the popularization of “anik-anik” culture. Traditionally, these small, sentimental trinkets were collected as harmless mementos. But modern culture has stripped them of their meaning, assigning value only when mass appeal dictates. Countless buyers now justify the accumulation of these items without inherent value, simply because culture unknowingly prompts them to do so.
Rapidly shifting trends, especially among the youth, have supercharged this phenomenon. With brands desiring to dictate each shift, product lines are quick to emerge and fade. Within a few short months, one can witness the rise and fall of entire collections, many of them being repackaged versions of the past.
As if under a spell, buyers move from one novelty to the next, filling up their homes with forgotten purchases that are destined, eventually, for the landfill. Yet in the prevailing mindset, such accumulation is not deemed as wasteful, but as a fulfillment of personal “wants.” In this climate, those who flaunt the newest and “cutest” versions are celebrated, creating a feedback loop of encouragement and further consumption.
Companies, too, have long recognized and exploited this cycle. They release updated product lines at a whim, each positioned as “essential” and designed to make the last collection feel obsolete. This pattern extends well beyond trinkets: fast fashion brands thrive on constant aesthetic turnover, cycling through the so-called fashion seasons at breakneck speed to prompt fresh purchases. Technology companies also employ similar tactics, manufacturing perceived obsolescence to convince consumers that without the latest models, they are outdated or inferior. In every case, the message is the same: what you have is never enough.
Keeping up with the Joneses
Through the advent of capitalism, consumerism evolved into a way of life. This eventually resulted in social standing and happiness being linked with the material goods an individual can afford. Over time, people became pressured to consume more to maintain their reputation, shifting their spending from needs and practicality into impractical wants.
A focus on status and style due to overconsumption strengthens the notion of planned obsolescence and artificial scarcity, while also encouraging poor financial habits among consumers, such as impulsive purchases and ineffective budgeting. These can pose a problem to buyers down the line, leaving them living paycheck to paycheck and with little to no savings.
With redefined spending priorities, some would resort to accumulating debt just to “keep up.” The anxiety and stress induced by the pressure to pay debts can result in depression, suicide, and may even turn individuals toward crime and illegitimate businesses. Despite the known risks, consumers willingly continue to fall into this unsustainable cycle to maintain their illusion of a luxurious lifestyle.
Overcoming overconsumption
Capitalism has left its mark on society in countless forms, and overconsumption is one of its most pervasive. Its proliferation has twisted our values into a system where man’s desires feed the continuously expanding corporate machine, despite its growth being inherently limited by the Earth’s finite resources. Yet today, moving toward a more sustainable system feels almost impossible. After all, we have become accustomed to a consumption-centric lifestyle, and the prevailing narrative insists there is no better alternative.
To become a healthier and more sustainable society, we must confront and overcome overconsumption. However, when corporations and governments remain incentivized to endlessly produce in the name of economic growth, citizens are left to address overconsumption on their own.
Consumers must recognize that overconsumption destroys our society and environment; a shift in both culture and mindset must happen to encourage sustainable practices and discourage overconsumption. To beat overconsumption, it must become “cool” to live sustainably and consciously.
We should encourage maximizing our products’ lifespans while reusing and recycling goods that have outlived their marketed usefulness. Rather than purchasing products from large multinational corporations, we must instead turn to local businesses and producers. By doing so, we not only live more sustainably and frugally but also support our communities.
Ultimately, the best way to hold corporations accountable for overconsumption is none other than to consume less. By acknowledging the damage consumerism has caused to our lives and environment, we can collectively pressure corporations to adopt more sustainable practices and shift our consumer culture to embrace individuality and sustainability over mass-market trends. Thus, we must end the haul and start the halt.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s October 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSOct2025.
