There’s a trending topic in my news feed right now. Americans are feeling anxious, so they’re doom spending. Some are looking for a quick dopamine hit (understandable tbh), some are ascribing to the “screw it who knows what’s going to happen so might as well spend” mentality, and some are “stocking up” as more news comes out about how Trump tariffs will ensure prices rise.
Even as I spent the last year on a “buy nothing new” journey and completely changed my consumer habits, I found myself mindlessly scrolling online retailers for the first time in 10 months.
Immediately following the election, my inbox filled up with sale alerts and gift guides. I understand that the grinding gears of capitalism never stop churning, but also, really? Friends, we can’t shop our way out of fascism. And if there is ONE easy thing we can do in light of this next administration, it’s extricate ourselves wherever possible from the extremely capitalistic, hyper-consumption culture we’re existing in.
Whatever faux activism and empowerment brands are selling, they’re turning around and funding legislators who are directly working to strip people of their bodily autonomy and power. All the big players in retail and consumer goods stand to get a lot more rich under a Trump administration.
I’m curious to understand how the election results have impacted your shopping habits and behavior. Answers to these questions are anonymous. I’d like to gain insights from these questions to help inform our group as we begin our year of buying nothing new. In this poll I’m specifically interested in spending for non-essential items (clothing, jewelry, beauty products, electronics, home goods, etc.)
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