finding peace in underconsumption
a look into overconsumption, underconsumption, brain rot
Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
In the past couple months, I’ve been doing a moderately painful search for new work and trying to figure out my next career step. It feels like many friends who are at the start of a new decade (thirty, flirty, STRIVING) also find themselves at the start of a new season of life. It’s exciting, yet daunting.
In this search, I’ve felt discouraged (a feeling I sense is universal based on the long lamenting posts I see on my LinkedIn feed). I have substantive work experience, a myriad of skills that people would want to have on their team, and I can be the fun hire when needed—I’ll plan a spirit week, boost morale, and sling banter around the water cooler. So being ghosted by a handful of recruiters has left me questioning: Am I going about this the right way? Should I be more online, and post more on TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram to see if that would be a more streamlined way to get work in this new age? (This is a recurring online joke that isn’t a joke).
Meanwhile, I saw a video that called out how unusual it is to watch 20somethings become millionaires overnight. While on the one hand, TikTok helps regular people find fame and fortune, it also exacerbates the concept of the “rich get richer.”
It’s not always the case, but often the people who tell us what to buy either a) get it for free or b) have ~*generational wealth*~1. Still, knowing this doesn’t lessen the mental toll it takes on me. I watch people who are younger and earlier in their careers find the financial freedom I strive for2 and suddenly I feel less great about where I am financially, professionally, personally, etc.
Before anyone comes for me as being a Bernie bro / “eat the rich” stan, I am not knocking the people who have that leg up. I agree with what finance expert Katie Gatti Tassin writes in the piece, Maybe She’s Born with It, Maybe Her Mom’s the CFO of Kraft Heinz: “What’s great if you can get it but absolutely befuddling if you can’t? Family money.” I don’t think there’s any shame in benefitting from the choices your family made on your behalf. But acknowledge it! I’m tired of being fed “self-made” nonsense3. Many of us get help so just say that. I continue to admire the nepo babies who lean into their nepo baby-ness (Ben Platt, Emma Roberts, I am absolutely not looking at you), because they should!
I don’t want to leave you on an anxious note. In fact, if you’ve been doom-scrolling how I’ve been doom-scrolling, seeing what I’ve been seeing, and influenced the ways I’ve been influenced, you actually might need a life raft in the way I do. That came this week in a new #underconsumption trend. I first saw this woman’s video and it made me take a breath and honestly come back to reality. I used to be someone who lived the “less is more” mentality. And in some ways, I still am (e.g. my skincare routine is even more pared down than that woman’s video, and I replenish products probably once every 1.5 years). But I’ll admit, I’ve been vulnerable to the overconsumption fallacy—that we need to consume to be happy, feel fulfilled, and be seen. It’s crazy that I could become this person when I grew up in an immigrant household—never impulse buying and always waiting for things to be on sale—and when I came of age during a recession (someone on TikTok said that underconsumption core is just recession core and I felt that 😂).
As I am actively trying to re-enter reality and fend off the capital-I Influence from seeping in, I don’t consider myself the best person to give you advice. But I will share what I’m trying to remind myself of, and perhaps this will help you, too:
What I see online is not real / I don’t know the full story
Comparing myself to others is the thief of joy
The answers are not on my phone or in my cart
This Serena Williams wisdom reiterating my mantra of “get back to the work you love”
Underconsumption is still consumption, just with more intention and care
I know that was a lot to cover this Floor Time, but I really do believe these three things go hand in hand:
Capitalism / work
Internet / virality / voyeurism / influence
Coping with it all / finding peace in what’s real
And if you want some Bonus Reading, these two pieces helped inspire this week’s topic, and really hammer home what I’ve been feeling.
This piece by Azora Zoe Paknad talks about overconsumption, the fashion space, and the dangers of trends.
This piece by Katie Gatti Tassin puts other people’s wealth into perspective.
Something I Thought of in the Shower
The Trader Joe’s shampoo slaps so hard.
Something Pretty
I stumbled upon this sourdough made by Katrina Niesen and thought, damn, people are just incredible at their crafts.
Something To Laugh About
Here are this week’s gems:
This is Clarice-core. Those are my cows!!!!!
I can’t look too closely at this fish because I think it’s actually kind of disgusting, but I do love how much care people put into their hobbies—it healed some of my brain rot.
I want to be friends with this girl.
This is the case for underconsumption we all need :)
Something for Clarice
Hey! This newsletter is free and I intend to keep it that way. That said, if you love it and want to show your appreciation, buy me a coffee :)
By the way…I’m reading this.
I have the honor of being an early reader of Martina Flor’s new book, Make It. She is one of the GOATs of the lettering world so you can imagine how much I am geeking out about this!
And I’m watching this.
With the Emmy nominees out I think it’s finally time I cave and start watching The Bear. I’ve heard such conflicting reviews so I guess I have to make my own assessment. What do you guys think about it so far?
Have a lovely weekend! May you under consume and find peace in the simple things, like taking care of your goldfish.
‘Til next time, nepo babies. Your friend,
Clarice
or perhaps c) are fiscally irresponsible—and who I am to talk? 🤪
like yes, I would also like for a luxury brand to fund my weeklong trip to Aspen and pay for everything while also gifting me $[redacted] in product.
speaking of brain rot, this blondie will not stop with the earworms no matter how hard I fight it.