For young people today, there is an intense pressure to meet expectations of an ever-changing ideal lifestyle. Their value is attached to what they own, how they look, and how well they fit into social expectations. However, just as they fit in, a new standard forms, forcing them to discard what they have and restart. This cycle of overconsumption and conformity suppresses individuality and perpetuates an unsustainable culture with significant environmental consequences.
Social media's influence has shaped modern culture with its fast-paced nature. Users are bombarded, "Do you want their look? Do you want their life? Buy these products, wear these clothes, and you can have it." This narrative pressures people to pursue an idealized version of themselves, one measured by their ability to conform to fleeting standards. The result is a perpetual cycle: buy to avoid falling behind, discard for the next unattainable goal, and repeat. The price of continuing in this race is the loss of their individuality and the understanding that their worth is more than their possessions.
The environmental impacts are just as concerning: constant production and disposal of fast fashion has led to poorly constructed goods that never fully decompose. This not only creates significant pollution, but also consumes huge amounts of labor and energy. People often preach the urgency of climate change, yet they remain caught in a system that encourages rapid consumption. This contradiction forces people to confront the moral implications of their choices and the systematic barriers that make sustainable living challenging.
However, rather than rejecting consumption altogether, we should redefine its purpose. By aiming to create a culture of creativity, individuality, and sustainably, it is possible to build a future where young people will be able to prioritize their internal identity, and forgo the external validation of consumption that is destroying our minds and our world.