Mindful consumption: Paying attention to what we are intentionally, and unintentionally, consuming
A couple of weeks ago my family spent four days on a remote 1500-acre property in Northern New Mexico. It was the first real vacation we’ve had since 2019 and our first vacation with both children. It was great to unwind, which I didn’t know was possible with little kids. I consider vacation not to be a break from my daily life (because I really love my life!), but rather a chance to experience something new, break routine, and be inspired. That is exactly what this vacation was.
Right as we got to where we were headed, I realized I was pulling out my phone to check Instagram. In that same moment, I decided to delete the app. I didn’t want to spend my time on my phone, something I’ve noticed is far too easy to do daily.
After a long weekend without social media, I realized how much time I spend consuming unnecessarily. Instagram is not just mindless scrolling for me (which it definitely is). It is also a bombarding of products I ought to have. Influencers I follow are relentlessly promoting. Every third Post or Story is a curated ad that the algorithm knows will entice me. And, of course, it’s not just Instagram or social media. Since I’ve become aware, I see and hear it everywhere. The podcasts I love begin with commercials and are interrupted by them. Advertisements periodically pop up while I’m looking at a dinner recipe online. Many of the emails I receive are some sort of promotion showing me the tool, shoes, clothes, or makeup I need to make my life easier, my kitchen cleaner, my feet feel better, or my skin look younger. It seems that regardless of what I’m consuming, well-intentioned or not, I’m inadvertently and unintentionally consuming a lot of other stuff, too. Unfortunately, these tactics are effective.
Having this awareness has provided me with the opportunity to make some changes. Changing our environment is one of the best ways to address habits we don’t want. For now, until I create a system to engage in social media more mindfully, I have left the app off my phone. I can jump ahead through the advertisements on podcasts. I can go through my emails and unsubscribe from the mass marketing I regularly receive. Being aware of what is being put in front of me, gives me the chance to be a more mindful consumer.
The change in environment, getting away from my regular routine, gave me the opportunity to get clarity on this consumption and begin to make those changes. Start paying attention to what you are consuming, both intentionally and inadvertently. The awareness will allow you to consume deliberately and focus on more of what you actually want, instead of what others want you to have.
Are there other places that you can think of where you are consuming inadvertently or not mindfully?