Excessive consumption does not start with big decisions. Often, it’s one click that “changes nothing,” one more order “because it was on sale.” And suddenly you find yourself with a wardrobe full of clothes you don’t wear, a kitchen with three blenders, and a shelf of gadgets that were supposed to make life easier—but in reality, just clutter it. Excessive consumerism is not an invention of ecologists—it’s a real phenomenon that affects the environment, relationships, and psyche. And most importantly—it concerns us all.

More than necessary – how excessive consumerism became a daily routine we don’t notice?

You don’t need to own a palace or a wardrobe full of clothes to fall into the spiral of excessive consumerism. It often starts with small things – another mug that “will surely be useful,” the next pair of jeans because they were on sale, yet another decoration for the living room, even though you haven’t unpacked the last one. At some point, you don’t even notice it— excessive consumption becomes a habit and turns into something completely normal. And when the need to buy stops being a response to a real need and starts being a mechanism for coping with emotions, boredom, or social pressure—it becomes a problem. Excessive consumerism ceases to be just a lifestyle issue—it becomes a social pattern, which is difficult to stop. And although there’s more talk about minimalism or conscious living, real change begins by looking at your own choices from the outside and asking: do I really need this?

What is excessive consumerism? From a T-shirt for 19 zł to a polluted river – the environmental cost of cheap choices

It seems like just an ordinary cotton T-shirt. It cost less than a pizza, looks good, so why not? The problem is, someone—or rather something—had to pay for that price. And most often, it’s not the buyer, but the environment. Production of such a T-shirt consumes over 2700 liters of water, generates CO₂ emissions, and leaves behind toxic waste. Excessive consumption in the fashion industry drives not only emissions but also exploitation of natural resources, soil degradation, and river pollution in production countries. All in the name of “new” items on hangers, which lose shape after a few washes and end up in the trash. Excessive consumerism in fashion is not just an ethical issue, but primarily an ecological one. Just look at the landfills in Ghana, India, or South America—full of clothes someone once “needed.” Maybe it’s worth asking, before buying something new: does this item really need to be made?

Consumption instead of relationships – how shopping replaces emotions, closeness, and conversation?

You know the feeling: you’re having a bad day, something went wrong, so you open your favorite shopping app. “I deserve something nice,” you think. The problem is, more and more often, that “something nice” becomes a permanent substitute for emotions, which we used to manage differently. Today, excessive consumption very often replaces relationships, conversations, support. We buy when we’re sad, bored, or frustrated. The “reward” mechanism works instantly – click, order, confirmation, dopamine. But the effect? It disappears after a few days. Or sooner. Excessive consumerism is not just shopping frenzy – it is the lack of emotional balance, which in the long run leaves us with a full cart but emptiness inside. It’s not about giving up everything, but understanding, why I’m buying – and if it really gives me what I need.

14 days of happiness – how long does the joy of new things really last?

We buy because we want to feel better. And indeed – for a moment, it works. A new phone, shoes, a mug, a dress – anything. Excitement, novelty, satisfaction. And then? Usually, everyday life returns very quickly. According to research, the feeling of joy from new things lasts an average of 14 days, after which our level of satisfaction returns to its starting point. This is the effect of the so-called hedonic adaptation – the brain gets used to the “better” and stops reacting. And here’s where the problem arises: excessive consumption becomes the answer to a drop in pleasure, but instead of solving the problem, it only masks it. Excessive consumerism, in this view, is not just a social phenomenon, but also a psychological mechanism – a loop that’s hard to exit without awareness that material things aren’t the cure for everything. And sometimes not a cure at all.

A new form of addiction? Why do we buy things we don’t need (and regret it later)

Shopping was supposed to be a pleasure, but more and more often it’s a mechanism of escape. Escape from stress, loneliness, a sense of emptiness, or the need for acceptance. Does it sound serious? Because it is. More and more people admit that they buy impulsively, “to improve their mood,” and then… they return home with remorse. Excessive consumption works a bit like an addiction – it provides short-term relief, and then leaves more harm than good. The problem is that the system reinforces this. Algorithms, promotions, limited collections, “one-day only” offers – all designed to trigger an emotional reaction and a quick purchase. Excessive consumerism in the 21st century is not a luxury but a daily occurrence fueled by every screen, every app. And while it’s hard to completely cut it off, it’s worth learning to recognize the moments when you buy out of need – and when just out of habit.

Luxury versus dignity – who really pays for our Western consumption?

You see a piece of clothing for 39 zl. You know it’s a deal. But at that price, everything has to fit: material, sewing, transport, store markup, and – unfortunately – human labor. Except that the latter often remains completely invisible. Seamstresses in Bangladesh, children in paint factories in India, workers without contracts and health protection – excessive consumption in the West has a very specific cost in the Global South. That cost is the lack of fair conditions, burnout, sometimes violence. Buying more and faster, we rarely think about who paid for it. But excessive consumerism doesn’t operate in a vacuum – it maintains the global system of inequality. In this context, an ethical choice, seemingly small, gains a completely new dimension. It’s not just fashion. It’s a decision about whom you support – and what values you give space to.

Trash from Europe, toxins in Asia – where do our clothes go when they disappear from the wardrobe?

Your clothing doesn’t disappear when you throw it into a container. It just changes location – most often to Ghana, Pakistan, or India. Thousands of tons of clothes from the West end up in dumps in countries that don’t produce that much clothing – but must deal with our “excess.” The problem doesn’t end with space. Burned clothes emit toxic dioxins, pollute the water and soil, and people living nearby suffer from skin and respiratory diseases. Excessive consumption of clothes is not just a problem of our overflowing laundry basket, but also a serious global environmental crisis. It’s one of those topics that aren’t visible in the daily scrolling of Instagram, but are the result of exactly the same choices – cheap, fast, lots. Excessive consumerism in fashion doesn’t disappear at the moment of purchase – it leaves a trace long after we’ve forgotten what we actually bought.

“It’s just a promotion” – how ads affect the brain and shut down rational thinking?

Do you feel like you’re buying smart? That you’re in control? Statistics say otherwise. 68% of Poles admit to buying under the influence of promotions, and 45% regret their purchases a week later. Why? Because a promotion is not just a lower price – it’s an emotional impulse that bypasses rational thinking. Research shows that ads activate brain areas associated with pleasure, but silence those responsible for analysis. In short – you think less, feel more. And click faster. Excessive consumption doesn’t only stem from a lack of willpower, but from a system that knows perfectly well how to weaken it. Excessive consumerism isn’t accidental – it’s the result of very effectively planned mechanisms. And while they can’t be completely turned off, you can learn to notice them. And that’s the first step to smarter decisions.

Stop buying out of stress – the “hungry consumer” mechanism works faster than you think

Shopping as therapy? Sounds familiar. For many, it’s a real coping mechanism. You’re having a bad day – you scroll through the store. You argued with someone – you buy something to “improve your mood.” Excessive consumption often has an emotional basis – it doesn’t come from the need for things, but from the need for relief. This is the so-called “hungry consumer” syndrome – a state where shopping replaces emotional support, contact with loved ones or rest. And while it sounds innocent, it can lead to very real consequences – from financial to psychological. Such consumerism not only consumes the planet’s resources but also the mental energy of people, who try to constantly fill a void that can’t be filled by a new pair of shoes. The key is not to completely renounce material things, but to recognize, when I buy out of need, and when just to feel better for a moment.

Consumption with Reflection – How RefSpace Fits into the New Shopping Consciousness

It’s not about completely giving up on buying. It’s about buying smarter, less, and with intention. Conscious consumption is not a trend, but a response to excessive consumerism, which no longer serves us – people, relationships, and the environment. That’s why it’s so important where and from whom you buy. More and more platforms are operating differently today – showing that shopping can have meaning. RefSpace is one of those places, where creators recommend things they actually use, rather than what’s trending well. There you can find products made locally, thoughtfully, and honestly – without the pressure of promotions and artificial trends. Excessive consumption is not just the number of items – it’s the quality of decisions. And when you decide consciously, you change more than you think – from your own wardrobe, through habits, to the environment we all live in.