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r/Anticonsumption · u/Pale-Turnover-3963Aug 1, 2026, 5:02 AM

Has self-care become another excuse to buy things?

I have noticed that when people feel stressed, lonely, bored, or overwhelmed, the advice is often to spend money.

Treat yourself can mean ordering food, buying clothes, upgrading a device, or shopping for something new. None of those things are necessarily wrong, but it feels like almost every emotion has been turned into a reason to consume.

Sometimes what we really need is rest, fresh air, a conversation with someone we trust, a creative hobby, or simply time away from pressure. These things may not give the same quick excitement as buying something, but they can be more meaningful.

I am trying to become more aware of whether I am buying something because I genuinely need it or because I am trying to change how I feel.

Has anyone else noticed this? What are your favorite forms of self-care that don’t involve shopping?

133

Comments

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u/AnastasiaNo7014Aug 1, 2026, 5:08 AM
Oh absolutely it has! I noticed it getting worse a few years ago.
- u/Pale-Turnover-39632Aug 1, 2026, 7:38 AM
  Yes. Exactly!
u/NoAcanthaceae6884Aug 1, 2026, 5:17 AM
Yep. Capitalism grinds you down to enable it. Then corporations pull the marketing slogans like "Treat yourself!" (We know we're beating you down. Buy more of our shit)
- u/lmriiight1Aug 1, 2026, 11:50 AM
  Perfectly stated
u/SmokedAlex3Aug 1, 2026, 5:17 AM
Yeah- it has been utterly commoditized.
u/Crafty-Table-24592Aug 1, 2026, 5:22 AM
yes 100%. we dont need any of this crap to *actually* care for ourselves.
u/sexysmoothfig11Aug 1, 2026, 5:29 AM
I've had to learn recently that true self care comes in the form of responsibility: I am being responsible for myself? my hygeine, my personal and physical health? am I taking my medication? listening to my body's needs? eating healthy? getting sun and exercise? checking in with my friends and family? actual self care often involves no purchases whatsoever
- u/Pale-Turnover-39632Aug 1, 2026, 7:38 AM
  Sure
- u/Thick_Yak_17856Aug 1, 2026, 9:54 AM
  This is so true! Exercise, sleep, vitMins, going to the dr when needed… when caring for a child do you just buy them toys and let them eat ice cream?
  - u/CeilingCatProphet1Aug 1, 2026, 2:46 PM1 reply
u/G-Unit111112Aug 1, 2026, 5:46 AM
Shit, in the United States, we can't even lose weight without it being an excuse to buy things.
u/GuineaPigFriend7Aug 1, 2026, 5:52 AM
You can’t even just wash your face anymore. You need a skin care “routine” with at least a dozen “products.” All in the name of self care.
u/RManDelorean6Aug 1, 2026, 5:58 AM
I'd argue all unnecessary spending could be counted as self care. Like if it's not food or rent isn't it just something extra you want just because. Car, shopping trip, take out cause you don't wanna cook, anything that's not not superfluous is superflous. And nothing wrong with that in moderation as long as your aware that's exactly what it is
u/offshoremercury7Aug 1, 2026, 6:22 AM
“You deserve it” is the most pervasive and predatory marketing phrases. I hate it cause it’s so effective, for the most part, we do work hard and we do deserve small luxuries/ treats, we don’t deserve to be manipulated by ad companies however.
- u/ubiquitousanathema2Aug 1, 2026, 6:46 AM
  I deserve a lot more than I get. A blessing curse.
- u/BakerStreet6931Aug 1, 2026, 6:50 AM
  especially airlines and tourism ads
- u/lmriiight1Aug 1, 2026, 11:49 AM
  “Deserve” is such a triggering word to me - the way it’s used to justify (unhealthy, negative) behavior is so irritating!
u/KindHabit2Aug 1, 2026, 6:35 AM
Yes. Yes it has. It's never exercise or eating healthier. Instead, it's buying stuff.
- u/LibbIsHere1Aug 1, 2026, 6:46 AM
  
  It's never exercise or eating healthier. Instead, it's buying stuff.
  
  yes but it is about buying healthier stuff.
  
  More seriously: 100% agreed.
  
  One can see a similar pattern in the minimalism 'space': buying always more minimalist books (instead of just going for it and, you know, trying various things by oneself), buying 'themed' furniture or clothe (instead of using/wearing whatever one already has), and so on. But also watching always new videos about minimalism.
u/ubiquitousanathema1Aug 1, 2026, 6:46 AM
Drug collection getting out of control but consumption grew up in the 80s so it’s almost gone at the same time.
- u/Thick_Yak_17851Aug 1, 2026, 3:56 PM
  But with drugs, you kinda have to if you can. Drs are expensive!
u/hypermodernism2Aug 1, 2026, 6:47 AM
Self-care is a bourgeois concept.
u/gracebells1Aug 1, 2026, 6:51 AM
every single thing on this earth is treated as a new market from which to draw more capital. if there is a group of people united under an idea, it will inevitably be marketed to, and there may yet be things you can buy that would help. but id like to believe the time you spend alone with yourself in whatever context is more self care than going to a store or ordering something, in any circumstance.
u/kerodon2Aug 1, 2026, 7:16 AM
It has always meant that, and it has gotten continually worse with a degrading economy and a weakening of the working class.
u/gareththegeek2Aug 1, 2026, 7:58 AM
Everything has become an excuse to buy things, even anti-consumption.
u/bubuthesunflower3Aug 1, 2026, 8:45 AM
It is a marketing tactic used lately by corporates by making self care as a trend. I know because I used to work in one.
u/saltyoperasinger1Aug 1, 2026, 9:07 AM
Yes, totally noticed. And, easy to turn off in my head. I use one shampoo, on conditioner, and one face oil (rosehip). Nice soaps (Christmas gifts from MIL) are the cherry on top. Found the products that are natural (no hives for me!!) and now that I know what works, no more straying from them!
u/IubitaParalit1Aug 1, 2026, 9:18 AM
I don’t know, but I think everyone in this sub should read The Economy of Care
u/Ja-smine1Aug 1, 2026, 9:36 AM
Unfortunately ! I feel like most of the time it has more of a numbing effect than a lasting one
u/TiffyVella5Aug 1, 2026, 9:38 AM
Self care- drink clean plain water (tap or tank, not plastic bottles) get an early night abstain from excess alcohol/lollies/fast food/fizzy drinks log off walk with your favourite person/dog read a book/listen to a book play a card/board game do something creative (*without* buying a "craft kit") draw, bake, garden,write chat with a friend have a bath sing do some yoga/stretching on the loungeroom floor find a good movie to watch at home do your nails ( the old fashioned way, with a manicure set, some lotion, a hand massage, and a polish with a soft towel, (you can have nice nails without acrylic, packets of glittery plastic shite or LED lamps)) do some laundry/some cleaning/some decluttering if you feel like it, as the gentle exercise is good and so is the feeling of achievement plan something nice for the future, like a visit with friends, a walk in a forest, a picnic write a list of all the chores you are avoiding and plan a time to get to them one by one "They" hate it when we are living happily and contentedly with purpose.
u/lmriiight1Aug 1, 2026, 11:47 AM
I think about this often and I’ve actively had to fight against the impulse myself.
u/yes_ipsa_loquitur1Aug 1, 2026, 12:21 PM
I think true self care is listening to your body, resting when you need to rest, eating when you are hungry. What a clever campaign to market self care as an excuse to make impulse purchases.
u/New-Sleep-93031Aug 1, 2026, 12:24 PM
Some people def do . I used to for sure .. had a dopamine addiction also to fill in the hole in my heart + got into a lot of money recently (family doing well with business I got sent too much money for one mid 20s human lmao....) ....I've dug in too deep and stopped aaaa and trying to spend more on creating things and learning skills. Reading, building stuff and live true to my values (trying so hard to be zero waste, live ethically, fix repair, upcycle stuff like that) ...I bought stuff I didn't have to be fair but I definitely also started collecting a collection when I found my fav ethical company second hand online was stupid affordable aaaaa ...I wear them daily so there's nothing wrong with it just aaaA Also more stuff that doesn't involve shopping I guess if it counts would be massage ? Is that still shopping ? Self massage works too but when you're stupid sore it is a massive help. Instead of buying I save something I like to my pin board Pinterest to stuff I want to learn how to make build create myself than buy:) with the existing materials I have otherwise (try second hand shopping to get other stuff)
u/VelocitySkyrusher1Aug 1, 2026, 12:28 PM
I was worrying about this when I was starting a skincare routine. Exfoliation, using masks and eye mask thingies, the other random gadgets and things they make you buy to feel pampered. Like yes exfoliation is part of it, but you can pick one thing to do it. Between a exfoliation sponge, a mask, or your toner, a scrub... you dont need all of that to treat yourself. You don't need a fan to dry your face faster to let the serums absorb just fan your face or wait. Unless you're disabled in the wrists, you don't need it. (I have lupus, some gadgets are helpful for flare ups., I thankfully do not need this, but have felt pain in my wrists and understand.) You can simplify your routine as much as possible.
u/[deleted]1Aug 1, 2026, 12:29 PM
[removed]
u/princessPeachyK33n1Aug 1, 2026, 12:45 PM
Yes
u/[deleted]1Aug 1, 2026, 2:06 PM
[removed]
u/Which-Appearance88181Aug 1, 2026, 4:43 PM
My problem with the self-care concept is that it pushes structural issues onto individuals to solve. If I am being discriminated against, doing breathing exercises is not going to solve the problem. If I am being bullied at work, being told to step outside to get some fresh air is doing nothing to stop the bullying. If my environment does not respect my sensory needs, then let's find some ways to adjust the environment rather than telling me that I should relax with an aromatherapy candle. The self-care concept seems designed to make individuals feel like any frustration they have is their own fault because they did not meditate enough, rather than a structural problem from a capitalist system that is chewing them up and spitting them out.
u/it-me-mp1Aug 1, 2026, 5:17 PM
Definitely. Typically treat the fam to a nice coffee run on the weekend which costs about the same as a large bag of beans or two. Money is meant to be spent, as long as you’re still saving its OK to give yourself a lil treat
u/AppWorkshop1Aug 1, 2026, 5:31 PM
I think one of the biggest mindset shifts is realizing that self-care and spending aren't the same thing. Some of the times I've felt best were after getting enough sleep, going for a walk, or spending time with someone I care about, and none of those required buying anything. It's interesting how often marketing makes us forget that.
u/Username_Here51Aug 1, 2026, 5:44 PM
Treating myself is making a coffee extra sweet, cleaning my house and then enjoying my clean house while I watch TV and craft. I’m too broke/spiteful for anything else
u/BolaViola1Aug 1, 2026, 7:21 PM
Yes