How To Be A Conscious Consumer

Today we are bombarded by an excessive and unfiltered flow of products, services and information. Companies that are interested in making the products you just can not live without hiring smart people to dedicate all their time and effort to get you to buy their product. They either create new desires or reinforce those that already exist. In this context of insane marketing and consumerism, it is important to talk about being a conscious consumer.

Let’s start with the definition. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a consumer society is “a society where people often buy new goods, especially goods that they do not need, and where it has great value to own many things “. Being conscious, according to the same dictionary, is to be “aware of themselves and their surroundings” .

Therefore, a conscious consumer is associated with the procurement of goods and services that are pro-sustainable. In addition, it promotes choices that take into account our responsibility to be aware of the impact we have on our environment. It means being considerate of ourselves, others and the environment.

A conscious consumer breaks down barriers

Conscious consumption is a movement that encourages you not to be indifferent to the effect of consumption on nature and other beings. In addition, it encourages you to reflect on what you are investing in, which means that everyone can be a conscious consumer.

To be a conscious consumer, you need to be more aware of your behaviors, thoughts and feelings. It is helpful to have good communication with the inner self, so that you know what options you can choose, as well as the reasons why you are making these choices. If you do, you will be able to be a more conscious consumer.

It is also crucial to emphasize the impact your consumption has on nature and on other people. To do this, you need to cultivate compassion and empathy, both wonderful tools that allow you to have healthy interactions with others.

In addition, it is important to remember the environment, not just your immediate needs. To do so, ask yourself what you can do to help the environment. You do not have to do everything at once. The important thing is to choose alternatives that are less detrimental to the environment and that provide better for the well-being of everyone (and everything).

How to digest information

A large part of today’s consumption is based on information-based strategies to get you to buy or acquire certain services. Conscious consumption is not about eliminating consumption completely. Instead, it invites you to choose the things you really need and find products and services that are good for everyone. Therefore, we must emphasize the importance of information.

A conscious consumer’s responsibility is to find out if they are falling into the trap of an abundance of information or if they are actually choosing the information they need that is important to their well-being. That does not mean you have to look at digital marketing as your worst enemy, but it does mean that you should use it to your advantage and set some limits.

Above all, the conscious consumer is aware of the impact they have on the rest of the world. So when you make a purchase, you can ask yourself, “Do I need this product?”, And “What kind of impact does this product have.”

It can also help to raise awareness of measures that promote positive investments in goods. There are small things you can do that you may not notice or be informed about.

Beliefs and values

As Albert Vinyals in Ros writes in his doctoral dissertation; Talking about sustainable consumption is considered acceptable in a changing society with more and more evidence of the existence of climate change. However, it seems that there is quite a difference between what people say and what they do.

Studies show that the environment is one of the factors that has the least weight when it comes to deciding what to buy. Variables such as price or aesthetics tend to be higher on the list.

In order for consumption to take place in a conscious way, you should focus on using values ​​that help you have the most positive impact possible. It promotes well-being for humans and the planet. Some of the values ​​that will help you do this are the following:

• Respect
• Authenticity
• Altruism
• Empathy
• Ethics

Thus, the conscious consumer knows how valuable it is to have only what they really need. They also provide ethical advice and understand the power of recommending as well as buying. In addition, they buy goods and services from socially responsible companies.

Motivation

When you perceive that a particular action has an advantage, it strengthens your behavior, and you are more likely to repeat the action. One factor that makes it more difficult to be a conscious consumer is actually that comfort and lightness are powerful motivators. To be a conscious consumer, you need to go beyond your comfort zone.

Getting out of your comfort zone requires self-motivation. In other words, you need to get satisfaction from doing things to have a positive impact. If you achieve this, you will participate in transformative consumption.

Consumption habits

Habits are repetitive behaviors. Therefore, to be a conscious consumer, you need to make your habits more sustainable. They must be in harmony with your feelings and your finances, otherwise you will not be able to follow up for a long time.

One way to change habits is to stop prioritizing comfort and stop being lazy. Laziness can lead to procrastination, and you will end up watching time go by without real changes in your life.

You can also read books or guides to help you make more environmentally friendly choices. Daniel Golemen’s book, for example, invites you to recognize the hidden effects of the things you buy and use.

Planning helps you to be a conscious consumer

Good planning is a way to be a more conscious consumer. It helps to establish priorities and follow them. On the other hand, purchasing power and price are also important factors. It includes trying and not putting your future at risk.

You can also create an investment plan. Remember that conscious consumption has to do not only with the environment and other people, but also with yourself. Ask yourself questions like “Is buying this good for me?” or “How does harm or benefit have this product for my physical, emotional and social health?”

Finally, each of us has the opportunity to be a more conscious consumer and help others to do the same. It is beneficial for nature, other people and ourselves. So do your part for collective and individual well-being. By remembering the environmental and social effects of consumption together, we can improve our quality of life.