Wonderfully written! As a consumer, I’m so tired of being sold to. And as a marketer, I see this as a massive problem.
I love the solution you pose at the end and agree that the ladder is the right path — but it’s definitely harder to get discovered this way. I wonder if we’ll evolve by focusing more on local options again, returning to small-batch and handmade products instead of growth-at-any-cost items that are mass-produced and delivered within hours.
Brava! As per usual. I loved how you weaved psychology into this, and I'm a big fan of Jungian method as well and his perspective on repressed needs is called "shadow" so the part of us we rejected as individuals because we were shamed for it or witnessed another being shamed for it therefore we rejected this part in us. But those shadows.... are parts of us. And, surprise surprise, they will ALWAYS want to be expressed. And the whole consumerism hamster wheel just plays on everyone's shadow... One is rejected the sexy siren within themselves (collective female shadow) then hey let's just sell them a bunch of sexy clothes to fill that void.
And I feel like the only answer here is for all of us to wake the f up and ask ourselves what do we actually - authentically - want. from our souls, not algorithms.
So great to read! I’ve always battled this as a creator; shared less, link less, pitch the idea of signature style or capsule wardrobe so the buying feels intentional. I try to be one of the few that showcases something can last for a while or it doesn’t have to be this crazy RTW piece; I think that’s another thing for another day. I’m either shopping resale or shopping limited drops and it feels specific and not icky which I love. But also just reminding people it’s normal to use your stuff: everything doesn’t need to be new.
This was great! I recently realized just how much time I waste looking at products online. I never even want to buy the things I browse, I just browse in hopes that I'll find something interesting. Lately I've been trying to fill that time with more fulfilling activities, since I already have plenty at home, and am clearly just browsing out of boredom.
Wonderfully written! As a consumer, I’m so tired of being sold to. And as a marketer, I see this as a massive problem.
I love the solution you pose at the end and agree that the ladder is the right path — but it’s definitely harder to get discovered this way. I wonder if we’ll evolve by focusing more on local options again, returning to small-batch and handmade products instead of growth-at-any-cost items that are mass-produced and delivered within hours.
I couldn’t agree more!! Local, small batch and handmade is the future
Brava! As per usual. I loved how you weaved psychology into this, and I'm a big fan of Jungian method as well and his perspective on repressed needs is called "shadow" so the part of us we rejected as individuals because we were shamed for it or witnessed another being shamed for it therefore we rejected this part in us. But those shadows.... are parts of us. And, surprise surprise, they will ALWAYS want to be expressed. And the whole consumerism hamster wheel just plays on everyone's shadow... One is rejected the sexy siren within themselves (collective female shadow) then hey let's just sell them a bunch of sexy clothes to fill that void.
And I feel like the only answer here is for all of us to wake the f up and ask ourselves what do we actually - authentically - want. from our souls, not algorithms.
!!!! THAT PART
So great to read! I’ve always battled this as a creator; shared less, link less, pitch the idea of signature style or capsule wardrobe so the buying feels intentional. I try to be one of the few that showcases something can last for a while or it doesn’t have to be this crazy RTW piece; I think that’s another thing for another day. I’m either shopping resale or shopping limited drops and it feels specific and not icky which I love. But also just reminding people it’s normal to use your stuff: everything doesn’t need to be new.
Love that you’ve been thinking about how to implement this into your online presence already
Thanks Amy :)
Fantastic essay. Thank you.
This was great! I recently realized just how much time I waste looking at products online. I never even want to buy the things I browse, I just browse in hopes that I'll find something interesting. Lately I've been trying to fill that time with more fulfilling activities, since I already have plenty at home, and am clearly just browsing out of boredom.