Hey Shawna, I’ve been here since like 20K. The fact that you’ve gotten to this milestone without any sponsorships or advertising is a testament to your message and that it really resonates with people. You’ll get to the next milestone soon enough!
Re: collecting... have y'all seen the dandelion crayon person?? If I remember right, the crayon shade of yellow "dandelion" is discontinued, and this one person absolutely loves it, so they seek out all dandelion crayons and appear to have some related merch. They seem to have some sustainability and conscious consumerism in mind, though I don't remember it being a big feature of their content - they repurpose or upcycle the other crayons when they buy a bulk bag of used crayons in order to hunt for dandelion ones, for example. It seems so joyful for them!!
They have described their aesthetic as i-Spy-core and I love them so much. Last post I saw they were melting broke stubs of dandelion crayons they'd collected to make a dandelion candle 🕯️
On performative buying: I never encountered maximalism until seeing it on the internet, many years later. Before that, everyone acted like you should clear out junk every so often (at least, that's what adults told children). On the internet, I saw cool, fun people amassing whatever their heart desired: clothes, makeup, toys, art. They were proud to display it. It made me realize that I could shamelessly buy all that stuff, too. Well, I did. And most of it doesn't matter to me now. Turns out, just because you like something, doesn't mean you have to own it.
About collecting: collecting doesn't necessarily have to to with consumerism and overspending. I collect photos of helicopters and utility vehicles. Costs no money, doesn't take up space and is a lot of fun. At least for me and my friend...
Even if you're collecting physical objects, it doesn't necessarily have to cost you money, but more like investing money into a collection that can also be sold again for about the same price. I know someone who used to be a shopping addict, but is now collecting coins. Most of those don't really depreciate in value and can be sold for very close or even over the price of purchase. It's almost like a savings account, but in physical form, so you also have something nice to look at. That way you accumulate a valuable collection much quicker than you'd expect; the only downside of it is the risk of theft...
I colect liek plushies or stuffed toys, whatever and they cost money, but I can tell you the name, where it was bought, how old I was and why we were in that place. I have some that are like 5$ and some that are 60$ but it's not for the sake of buying them, its a physical memory and yeah, collecting doesn't need to be expensive but I see them as physical memories
On collecting: I'm an oddball in your audience, I don't really like shopping makeup or fashion. I'm more of a gamer artist geek. I grew up with Pokemon being the first thing telling my little brain to "collect them all" lol. I have attachment issues from family problems and I always turned to belongings to give me comfort. The Geek Nerd sphere is all about collecting to show how much of a "fan" you are. I've learned a lot from you that helps me really consider my needs more than showing my "dedication" to a show or game. I'm starting to cut back on collecting and find new ways to show my appreciation like supporting small business enamel pin makers and making a small space for a wall display for them. That way I can support artists and treat myself in a way that doesn't add to unnecessary consumption.
@@Shetooktothewoods I definitely agree, I love these things so much that I want to show my love for them. I buy a lot of manga to support the writers and artists as well.
I believe collecting is a hobby. Long term collectors generally tend to learn a great deal about whatever they collect. They also tend to specialize and self limit even if only for the lack of space. While a collection could turn into a hoard, I think most healthy people do not hoard and learn self limiting. Collectors are also afforded opportunities to meet to other collectors and broaden their knowledge even more. Because collecting generally is about way more than having things. I hope to never stop learning.
Vimes Boots Theory mention!!! 🎉🎉🎉 The direct quote is "The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money (...) A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet."
In the case of collecting: Collecting as a hobby used to refer to things out of print and no longer made, where you can only buy second hand and it has a slight archival and restoration aspect to it. I think advertizers have convinced everyone that you collect mass marketed goods because they come in different colors or shapes etc, but to me if its readily available and mass manufactured then its not a collection, and your hobby focuses more on aesthetics and shopping than collecting. also :O my hot take was included!! how cool!!
I was thinking along similar lines. I collect cat stuff, like home decor that features cats and I almost exclusively buy the items at thrift stores, yard sales, eBay, etc. Every once in awhile I'll buy something new but it's very rare. I think the last new cat item I bought was a cat shaped tape dispenser and that was probably 5 years ago at this point. I view collecting as gathering a theme of items. Generally that theme means something to you so I feel like collecting many different colors/styles of a mass marketed item is pretty weird for the vast majority of people who collect that item.
In my opinion, collecting can be things that are still being sold but there has to be some kind of personal connection or a story behind getting the item, not just walking into a closest mall and grabbing ten items at once.
With that definition, I completely agree with you. I don't think it's "collecting" unless the majority of your time is spent on searching for a rare gem, rather than on purchasing--and buying "limited edition" versions of currently produced mass market items is absolutely not collecting.
collecting I feel used to be so much more organic and also a much slower hobby. now you can have a "collection" in a matter of weeks and then get rid of it quickly because it doesn't have any real meaning for you
I’ve been collecting shells. Having quiet walks on the beach while looking for rare shells is one of my favorite things to do. It makes me really happy and it’s mentally soothing. I have a box dedicated to shells only and also a big woven dish to display them. From time to time I look through my collection and take out items that I already have. I’m planning to bring them back to the beach. People used to collect post stamps or post cards. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.
On collecting: when I used to collect, I would do it to “complete” the collection. To appease my perfectionist tendencies. It felt like the collection was perfect when I knew I could collect it all and have a finish line. I used to think that way to much with everything in life and through therapy and just getting older, it has gone away. Not completely but it has DEFINITELY improved!
Re : take 2, I felt that so badly with my closet over the years. I bought so many aspirational pieces, both expensive and cheap, that I thought I would wear later. Recently I became more aware of what I actually want out of my wardrobe (as well as realized how much my texture aversions effected my mood, my weight shifted, and that my gender presentation was making feel terrible), and I ended up donating and selling over 200 pieces of clothing. SO MUCH wasted money, so much I could've put toward savings or life-improving changes. It was so hard to do, but when I look in my closet now, I'm excited instead of scared!
The boots theory you talked about is the “Sam Vimes ‘Boots’ theory of socioeconomic unfairness” it comes from one of the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett.
"A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet." The "still have wet feet!" aspect is so important to me because so often it's not just that being poor is more expensive, but it comes with this element of enforced suffering that we as a society lack compassion for.
I have been wanting a pair of Naturalizer Ballet Flats for about 6 months now, and FINALLY I got a pair that went on sale from $120 to $35. Im so excited and theyre real leather and I think I can make them last my lifetime.
I first came across one of your videos during the Sephora “sale” and I had no idea that I even had a problem until your videos challenged me to really think critically about my purchases!! Haul videos and restocks are such a norm now that I didn’t think about how it was affecting me and influencing me until I stumbled across just one video from you. Since then I’ve made conscious decisions to empty out my products before purchasing new ones, and to think critically about how much I will actually use them instead of just the thrill of the buy. I have been slowly changing my perspective every day and challenging myself into being a more conscious consumer. I know I still have a ways to go, but I’m in a better place now because of all your videos. Thank you Shawna!! ❤️
Shawna- I’ve been watching you for a few months now and you had no idea how grateful I am to have found your content. I still have a rocky relationship with money and consumption but hearing that you’ve been there before makes me feel sooo much better about my small accomplishments and relapses. I really want to get better and your content helps so much with that, thank you.
I can only speak for myself but the difference for me between that line of ‘treat yo self’ and feeling deprived was aiming for a healthy relationship with shopping. Being able to splurge at a reasonable amount with a budget and at least somewhat of a purpose, but also being able to keep it to just that planned amount and go back to ‘normal’. I had to stop shopping altogether for a bit just to give myself space to find ways to not do it compulsively. I still slip into a bit of overdoing it and after those periods I go ‘sober’ for a while until I feel comfortable not feeling that craving.
I am about to go to the store - and you’re helping to get me to build a list first-- I do have stuff I need - New Printer toner, a replacement strand of lights for my wreath, etc… but I do know that the stores I’m going to are ripe for my form of impulse buying. Thanks for the counter perspective
There's four types of collecting: 1. People who consciously buy multiple products within a specific category for the sake of building a collection 2. People who are addicted to shopping for certain products and call it a collection to justify their shopping addiction 3. People who collect whatever they come across because of some primal instinct to collect, which is hoarding, and often a metal issue 4. People who consciously buy multiple products within a specific category for actual usage, not solely ownership (those people don't consider it an actual collection themselves) For example: I'm type 4 when it comes to vinyl records, because I like playing quality records. I very selectively buy them and have accumulated more and more of them over the years. I'm not into limited editions and I'm not fussy about opening new ones. I'm just a guy who likes good sounding records and owns a collection of records because of that, a collection in the sense of "multiple items within a certain category". But records are meant to be played if you'd ask me. If it doesn't get any plays, it gets sold or given away. I care about the quality of the disc itself, but the cover doesn't need to be kept in mint condition, as long as it's still decent/neat looking. Which is a far cry from actual record collectors (type 1) who buy records based on their rarity, fancy artwork, to get all the records of a specific band, rarely play records to keep them in like-new condition and often prefer to keep the rarest sealed. Which in turn is a far cry from people who buy all sorts of random crap records at the flea market or dollar bin for the sake of hoarding or buying records (type 2 and 3).
I have a similar outlook on collecting - I also collect records, and cds, dvds, blurays, etc of media that I love. This is all with the purpose of using these items, and hopefully to get away from streaming services and switch to owning more physical media. I don't care what condition they are in as long as they work. And I'm specifically buying albums (or movies) that I love and want to watch/listen to multiple times, not just trying to get rare editions.
@@trianglejenn Yeah, I also listen to most of my records for many, many times. However, the condition does matter to me, but only the discs. Because the condition partially dictates the quality of the sound, and good sound from records is what matters to me. However, that's also why my equipment is more expensive than my records. For most people it's the other way around and have more money invested in their records than their audio equipment. I've upgraded my audio equipment over the years multiple times and sometimes it's been like rediscovering records, when the equipment picks up details from the records that never stood out before. However, I think I hit a wall and get almost all the details from records that they have to offer.
Truly spoiled by this vidmas, doing chores while I listen to your video. In the past week you've made it to 55k, CONGRATULATIONS and warm welcome to new community members!
Congratulations on 50k. I have a colouring channel. I feel like there is alot of pressure to buy the newest books and the latest supplies. I have crafted alot of years and have quite a bit of stuff that I have never used. I have only recently found your channel and really enjoy it.❤
congrats to the 50k Shawna 🥰 although that's quite a lot lf people, I am still ongoingly surprised you don't have hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Your content is not only SO important but also very well informed and well spoken. Also, you release so many videos in such a short time, even putside of Vlogmas! The quality of the content is so high and although I understand that sustainability and conscious purchasing may be niche topics, I still feel like your channel is just waiting to blow up. Also, I loooove that you don't advertise any products in your videos. Keep up the good work 😊😊
i have two hot takes: the first is that the trends about physical media started interesting, due to streamers and tech companies in general doing shady business practices, HOWEVER, you don't need multiple physical media for each thing you've ever been into. it's overconsumption and wasteful. second: some sustainable/money tips are excludent to single people or people who live alone in general. if you don't share finances and resources with a partner, it's often way cheaper and less wasteful to go to the prepared food route, whether it's takeout, meal kits, food delivery, etc. maybe it's my location, idk, but if i were to cook for just myself everyday, the cost of energy/gas/groceries, not to mention my time, would absolutely be bigger than buying a quick frozen option from a local frozen food store. also less wasteful, since i don't throw produce away
re collecting, i think the take (it being hoarding wealth) makes sense if we're talking something with high monetary value that actually Wealthy people collect. a wealthy person's classic car collection, fine art collection, or luxury purse collection, sure. your (prole) grandma's collection of rooster figurines, not so much
As a perimenopausal person, I can relate to people targeting you as a cash cow because of your unique perceived need of a plethora of things. Hair thickness, reduce belly fat, tiredness, bone health, mental health the list goes on. Skin care marketed as perimenopausal skin care. Adding that label does not mean it’s a different thing to a standard product. Just use the buzzword to hook desperate, vulnerable people who are struggling in and take their cash. Oooh hit a nerve!!
I listen to your videos to go to sleep, I like that you have such a calm voice and you dont yell or get loud. I struggle to sleep a lot especially in silence. You've helped me sleep a lot and I really like your videos, even if I'm not always awake to hear them lol. Edit, i do wanna clarify though that I do also watch your videos when I'm awake but they're really good to sleep to
RE: collections - growing up I was obsessed with Pokémon and the cards. I’ve recently been getting back into it, but struggle to see the value in purchasing physical cards, especially since getting the cards you want in packs is very much a lottery. I’ve actually found a lot of joy in the app version of the game. You can collect the same cards and do the battles while not spending any real money or having to find space for all those cards. Editing to add, it is so much LESS of a bummer getting duplicates knowing I didn’t “waste” real money. It’s my favorite little thing right now.
Your first video was amazing! You seemed so interesting and different I was immediately captivated and told my partner about you. The way you have grown into your self has been like a wild flower opening. Your gentle critiques help me clarify and be happier 🥰
I've seen you in the comments for years. I was going to say from year one, and glad to know my suspicious was confirmed. I really appreciate you sticking around for so long and saying these kind words. Thank you so much 💕
I love your channel! I'm subscribed to no one but you're the only youtuber I've consistently watched lately, your content and vibe are so refreshing (trying to get off all social media and yt is the last one but your vids keep bringing me back 😭) congrats on 50k - so deserved!
I started watching your videos years ago, one of your “Project Pan” videos was randomly recommended by UA-cam😀 Never searched for nothing like that, but got interested and clicked 😁 I’m glad I did 🤗 Your channel is one of the best of my subscriptions🌟
I'm so happy you've made it to 50k!!! I subscribed because I needed to hear the truth!! I also have AuDHD, and I'm sick of those, too, and also suffer from depression and chronic pain. 🖤💙
I think there are a lot of reasons to ‘collect’ things. If I think about the things that I collect, I have a bar cart that is space cowboy themed so I keep an eye out for vintage glassware or barware that fits that theme. It’s all useable and it’s a limited space in my house for a kitschy fun vibe that I enjoy looking at. A lot of collections involve the collection of knowledge - whether that’s shells or plants or books. We’re a big music and movies household and we’re very much OVER the subscription model so we collect dvds of things we’d want to watch as a family or records that we want to listen to. So yeah, I don’t think any of that is ‘wealth hoarding’. I don’t think any of that has any significant value beyond what my fiancé and I place on it. We source it all second hand bc it’s more fun for us than just ordering stuff and it is more affordable a lot of the time. But yeah we are also an autistic/adhd household so the collections can sometimes get a little bit out of hand I will admit 😂
I recently found your channel and instantly loved your content. You have really opened my eyes on all the consumerism that is pushed. Thank you and congratulations!🎉🎉🎉
I have only been watching your videos for a few months, but your content has made such a difference in my purchasing behaviour and my overall attitude towards my belongings. I am so grateful for the work you do, and I wish you a very happy holiday season! ❤
I think in a world where big corporations like Amazon exist, it's harder, especially for young people (not me, I'm 55) to step back from buying stuff because they can buy things more cheaply than they can in a "real world." They also have quick access to things they wouldn't necessarily have access to in their home country. I live in New Zealand in the capital city, Wellington. When I was young we had four or five department stores. Now we have none in Central Wellington so doing things like taking your kids to see Father Christmas is no longer possible. One thing I used to do with my kids every year was go to a department store, to the temporary Christmas store to buy a new decoration (one each.) They are 27 and 20 now so it's a while since we have done that but, if we still had department stores, we might still. It's fun to build up a collection of their own decorations for them to take to their own homes. We can get most things here that you can get overseas, now but our currency conversion is dire. So, I think people are tempted to go onto Amazon or Etsy stores but shipping costs are unbelievable, especially from the US, they end up being more expensive than the item you want to buy. I am an expert at finding the free shipping stores on Etsy but it's taken a lot of research and time. Also, something I find incredibly frustrating is, when we're talking about sustainability and looking after our planet, that when we go to other places (particularly parts of the US) and they're still using single use plastics and disposable coffee cups and dishes, even when you're eating in. I took my kids to California about 5 years ago and almost everywhere we went (small towns, small cities, big cities), this was the case. California on it's own in roughly 1 and a half times the size of New Zealand and California is one of fifty states. I don't know what it's like in other states, but it makes the efforts that are government endorsed here, in NZ, look pathetic and a drop in the ocean.
It’s hard because the “solutions” aren’t really that much better in the long run anyway. For example we get paper straws but they’re individually wrapped in plastic 🤦🏼♀️. In my US state there’s a plastic bag ban but the alternatives on offer are thicker and take even longer to break down once they inevitably wear out. Also during the pandemic the amount of masks disposed of and single use items for “safety” canceled out every effort ever made beforehand. Consumers can’t win this alone and it’s very frustrating.
@ I totally agree. My daughter and I decided we would do what we can. We have a recycling system in Wellington so we recycle. Plastic bags have been banned here for years which is great except that the paper bag option uses a lot more water so is indirectly not that fantastic for the environment. I have a stock of reusable bags to do my shopping.
Shawna, thank you! You’re the only creator who I can say has had a real impact on my life and I’m proud to one of people that helped get this channel to the exposure you deserve! Since I found you in Fall 2022, you have continuously motivated me to pay off more than $19,000 in credit card debt, and I will finally be free from the chain of debt at the end of January. Truly, thank you for all you do for us ❤
re: collecting, im autistic & always bonded heavily with objects (i consider my collection to be more important than anything else in my life) so i very much disagree with that take .. however in the comments people are saying that only collecting stuff thats discontinued & for the sake of archival etc counts as "true" collecting which i also dont agree with .. people are forgetting that there are so many things you can collect for so many reasons and ill admit it makes me a bit sad that this is how people irl might see me so some of this is def personal projection, not pretending to be unbiased .. as a kid, i used to collect rocks, and i still do occasionally. finding cool rocks is incredibly rewarding and the furthest thing from "wealth hording" for that matter. i do have some more "consumerist" collectibles, like plushies and figurines, and other more "out there" things ive collected (currently or in the past) are candy wrappers, lip balms (the super cheap ones with various flavor, and yes i use them all up eventually), energy drink tabs and some other stuff im definitely forgetting. i appreciate you not really dunking on collectors because it seems like its something many people have a limited understanding of, especially those who dont have strong bonds to objects like me, because i treasure everything i own! i thrift and DIY a lot too, so my apartment is an amalgamation of various experiences ive had and things ive loved, things that shaped me into the person i am today and so on .. its a hobby that brings me great joy, and i assume many others, though i do believe theres also people who use it as an excuse to flaunt their wealth or indulge in a shopping addiction. even for myself ive noticed that i will occasioanlly buy stuff on impulse and regret it, which is why i followed your channel and resonate with your videos, even if my interests are in different fields (not really into makeup and have never been really interested by trends, i dont leave the house much anyway)! this comment got a bit out of hand sorry, love your channel
31:37 "collecting has a level of intentionality behind it" is a great way to sum it up, 100% agree! also, one more thing to add, a lot of collector-type hobbies for example lolita fashion (not something i wear but i find it stunning to look at) have a major community aspect! whether people collect items from specific brands (angelic pretty, btssb etc), of a specific substyle or based on any other critera, theres a big focus on community and most people have a lot of love for the pieces they acquire, which is why most people will tell you to not rush into it but build your wardrobe slowly & intentionally - many people take years to save up for their perfect coord, and a lot of it includes thrifting, trading and DIY
That sounds amazing. I live appartements that show a lot about the people who live there, especially when so much time, thought and effort has been put in. I think there are a lot of people out there who love to collect or have deep attachements to their things. They may just not be as vocal about it. I wish you all the best and many more hours of enjoying collecting and your collections
thank you so much for commenting and sharing your experience. I really value hearing about how collecting looks for you. I do agree that collecting doesn't have to have monetary value for it to be a collection or valuable to the collector. I think myself and others can be blinded to the consumer-driven collections we see online like jellycats, bath and body works candles, stanley's and imagine these when imagining collections and using them as the basis in which we form our opinion.
I totally agree I am autistic and I also like to collect and have things sometimes they might get overwhelming for me and it is things that I grow an attachment too that people might not understand such as medicine bottles or a packing for something I really wanted to get. sometimes I just collect gums and its not like it goes to waste because I do consume it and share it with others.
I have a child with autism and work in schools with students who have autism and collecting is important to many of them. Oddly enough, a lot of the collections didn’t cost much, if anything. Mostly rocks and labels. Granted, I only work with minors and many have no disposable income to create collections that cost money but the term “collection” shouldn’t carry a negative connotation.
33:14 props to take 8 for using the word “defenestrate.” Amazing! Also hard agree, marketing paid tools to people with ADHD (poor impulse control helloooo) is so slimy
Im a new subscriber, you're very calming to listen to, and admitting to being in debt, shopping addiction etc is a rough, personal issue, but youre super kind about it. Also, no offence but i like going to sleep to your videos bc they're calming. Retention for the win lol!
Excellent video, as always. My overall takeaway is that everything has nuance, and nothing is black and white. I am definitely guilty of being too harsh with my opinions on consumerism, the environment, capitalism, etc. I can work on being more understanding.
I also appreciate your comment! I know I can partake in black and white thinking and I enjoy regularly seeing different perspectives in the comments. If you scroll through, you'll see a bunch of different takes on collecting.
Congratulations!!!! Your channel is awesome. Love how relaxing your videos are. Keep up the great work! You’ve helped me with thinking critically before making purchases ☺️☺️☺️
Congratulations! Now let’s get Conscious Consumerism there too; you two are like the dynamic duo ( coming from different current life spots). Also, congratulations on Lady Plant looking fabulous behind you!!
I'm so very happy I found you! I absolutely love you and your content... and you have helped me think more responsibly when my wants start overcoming my needs and considering how it will affect my future! Much appreciation and love to you, thank you!💜
I found your channel fairly recently and have been watching everything since the beginning. Your thoughts have been very helpful for my own journey of better shopping habits. Thank you for creating your channel ✨Go sassy Shawna✨
Such interesting takes about romanticising products. I agree. We see our 'fantasy self' using particular brands or with a particular aesthetic. But... it's just a fantasy. We buy into something that's really not the authentic us.
On the Boots theory: This reminded me of how my sister and I spent our money differently growing up. While I valued options and quantity over quality (buying things really cheap in order to have more options) my older sister would spend her money at stores I felt I couldn't afford but would only buy a few things. While it was sort of 50/50 chance of me getting an item that would last longer than a year, her items seemed to last years (for the most part). Now that I'm older and trying to exercise that same logic, I find that regardless of where I buy (expensive or inexpensive) it's a shot in the bucket. I have ZERO trust in the fabric of every retail store and I don't know where to even begin as far as trying to find a brand I can trust.
Collection is such an interesting topic. I think all humans have an inate drive to collect (ex how children will collect rocks or sticks) and that it was probably a very desirable trait when out survival depended on people collecting food to survive. So I see an evolutionary reason for us to collect. However, I really hate how "my collection" applied to anything someone likes to buy for the joy of buying is more of a hype/it-word word than them really collecting something intentionally. Most people who collect things as a hobby are actually rather focused in how they choose to collect. So, i think consumerism can have really negative effects if it triggers our collecting gene - but buying lots of stuff and then grouping them into "collections" is more giving people who collect things as a hobby a bad name.
Yes, we need another word for the behavior of buying all the options of a product. Now that you mention genes, I kinda have an "addictive gene" that has prevented me to try alcohol and another type of substances, it showed pretty well when I bought a lot of "collections".
Hi I am on replay,I enjoyed it however people who go on experiences instead of purchasing items can also be over consumption. The amount of merch sold at concerts adds to this issue. Families or individuals going to Disney and come home with so many products. Just for an example just take a look at Taylor Swifts merch sale, vinyl sales and her latest amount of book sales. Within the entertainment business movies come out and merch lines come out before the actually movie comes out. These people attend the movie as an experience and also purchase the merch for themselves or kids. The industry counts on the sale of merch as part of the profit. Not sure where the answer lies.Have a lovely day.
Shampoo bars also seem to judy not be effective for most people, I just wish all shampoo came in pouches to refill bottles like amika and ouai. Like I would buy my dove in pouches
Re: bar shampoo and conditioner I also bought into the hype and the aggressive feel-good marketing. Please don't believe it. That product incredibly damaged my hair; it stripped away all the life and damaged the structure of my hair. My hair was thinning and falling out. It felt incredibly grimy despite using literal soap to clean my hair. It looked dirty and was weighted down by the grime that accumulated from the bar soap. I couldn't even brush my hand through my hair without strands breaking off, it was that brittle. I tried it for months and honestly wanted it to work. In the end, I had to leave a negative review with my experience, and I kid you not, within twelve hours a rep contacted me with an offer for compensation to change my review. I did not respond.
@næntsi I hate bar shampoo for my very fine long hair. Same reasons you mentioned. But love bar conditioner! Hair looks thicker with airy volume and don't need styling products to look good.
The real hot take is that the people who always comment about “needing to focus on criticizing corporations and social media” are rarely the ones taking any kind of political or even mildly inconvenient personal action. More often, they are using that line as a way to feel better about their own complicity when they know what the problem is and what steps they can take to improve, they just choose not to.
All of the "Sustainability Influencers" I follow have a single core message: the most sustainable thing you can buy is nothing at all. Basically, they are just doing what you are doing, helping people to consider whether they really NEED the things that social media tells them they need. And then when something genuinely does need replacing, what is the best way forward?
I disagree with the hoarder hot take. Hoarding is a disorder separate from collecting. A collector can have a lot of a certain type of item and not be a hoarder. I collect dolls, but I also donate and resell dolls I'm no longer interested in. Hoarders don't let things go on their own, they just gather and gather, cling to and place value on items that are mundane or even trash. A hoarder could have a collection within their stuff, but one thing doesn't lead to another.
I’ve also seen a sustainability influencer say they don’t care about politics because it doesn’t effect the impact they can do as an individual… and I was shocked at how someone who promotes caring about the planet doesn’t see that sustainability is absolutely political and it does matter who we vote for. Not caring who’s in parliament because it doesn’t effect you is a huge privilege. I really worry about sustainability just missing the point like you said, promoting people to buy ‘sustainable’ things is still promoting shopping, I’m so happy to have found your channel.
Congratulations on 50K!! 🎉 In regards to the overall controversial topics. It's difficult for me because I am a collector & I find joy seeing my full collection wether it be my makeup, earring or body scrub collection. However, most of times I buy items because of my impulsive shopping tendency & craving to spend money. 💰 Which is why I am an avid watcher of your channel. I need to be remind that most of the time it's not worth going into debt over. So thank you for doing so. You've talked me out of spending money unnecessarily on many occasions. Also looking back on all the money I've spent & thinking that it could have gone towards a down payment on a future home I'd like to buy also helps. However, unfortunately it's not full proof & there are moment where I slip.
For me, collecting is not really a consumer activity. Obviously, I acquire art (which is what I collect). I buy from artists or buy pieces I come across in secondhand shops*. Some art is wall art. Some is functional art, like handmade coffee cups. Some is jewelry from a local silversmith. Most of the time, the art is a souvenir of a trip. I buy very selectively and I have a place in mind for each piece. This is completely different than the late 90s / early oughts beanie baby rampage where everyone was rushing to buy the popular one that week as a trophy… until the next week when there was a new trophy to grab. And it’s different than hoarding boxes of “limited edition” tchotchkes or toys with the idea of them being valuable in however many years. That, to me, is a branding as one’s personality, as in being an X collector instead of simply collecting things one enjoys. I think that’s what the hot take was implying. *I have a large portrait of woman I don’t know that dominates my living room wall. I rescued her from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Her name (per the artist’s signature) is Lucille and I think everyone should have someone who sees them like Dennis (the artist, also don’t know) saw her. I enjoy her and the other art on that and other walls every day, as well as remembering trips where I’ve acquired the mug my coffee is in or a pair of earrings I choose.
Off the topic, your old “no purchase January” video about learning to value what you own by taking care of what you have and not spending creating free time has changed the last 2 weeks so much for me. My house has never looked better (or cleaner), I’m learning contentment with what I have and I deleted my Starbucks app and dusted off my (too expensive, but unused) Ninja coffee maker. It’s small moves in the right direction thanks to you!
As not a native English speaker, it is so nice to hear objects called with "she". I remember how it was sad to learn that in English even animals are called "it". 😢
As a self-proclaimed eco-minimalist, right now I'm struggling with buying a new electric toothbrush that is sustainable and has a recycling program for the heads. I currently have an Oral B one, which is great, but I cannot STAND the thought of throwing away a plastic brush head every three months. I've looked at "sustainable" Oral B heads but I have a very specific type that doesn't have any worth buying that I can find. However, the thought of 1) spending money on a new toothbrush and 2) buying something new is stopping me. Is it better for me to buy a new toothbrush that actually has a recycling program for the heads and I know I'm not creating more trash, or is it better for me to keep what I already have and just continue to throw the heads away? This is a big dilemma for me in a lot of instances. If I'm going to buy something that's sustainable to replace something that's not, I use up what I already have before I spend the money on the sustainable product. I do think purchasing something that theoretically should last me years and years has a net positive if I'm not throwing away toothbrush heads, but I still can't pull the trigger. Sigh.
Hey Shawna, I’ve been here since like 20K. The fact that you’ve gotten to this milestone without any sponsorships or advertising is a testament to your message and that it really resonates with people. You’ll get to the next milestone soon enough!
Re: collecting... have y'all seen the dandelion crayon person?? If I remember right, the crayon shade of yellow "dandelion" is discontinued, and this one person absolutely loves it, so they seek out all dandelion crayons and appear to have some related merch. They seem to have some sustainability and conscious consumerism in mind, though I don't remember it being a big feature of their content - they repurpose or upcycle the other crayons when they buy a bulk bag of used crayons in order to hunt for dandelion ones, for example. It seems so joyful for them!!
Yes! Love that person! 💛
Their content is so fun! They thrift and upcycle a lot and they recently made dandelion Crayola candles from the broken crayons they had accumulated 😊
They have described their aesthetic as i-Spy-core and I love them so much. Last post I saw they were melting broke stubs of dandelion crayons they'd collected to make a dandelion candle 🕯️
LaKenzo, I love her!! She’s such a sweetheart 💙
why is everyone calling that girl "that person" 😨 so weird
On performative buying: I never encountered maximalism until seeing it on the internet, many years later. Before that, everyone acted like you should clear out junk every so often (at least, that's what adults told children). On the internet, I saw cool, fun people amassing whatever their heart desired: clothes, makeup, toys, art. They were proud to display it. It made me realize that I could shamelessly buy all that stuff, too.
Well, I did. And most of it doesn't matter to me now. Turns out, just because you like something, doesn't mean you have to own it.
About collecting: collecting doesn't necessarily have to to with consumerism and overspending. I collect photos of helicopters and utility vehicles. Costs no money, doesn't take up space and is a lot of fun. At least for me and my friend...
Even if you're collecting physical objects, it doesn't necessarily have to cost you money, but more like investing money into a collection that can also be sold again for about the same price.
I know someone who used to be a shopping addict, but is now collecting coins. Most of those don't really depreciate in value and can be sold for very close or even over the price of purchase.
It's almost like a savings account, but in physical form, so you also have something nice to look at.
That way you accumulate a valuable collection much quicker than you'd expect; the only downside of it is the risk of theft...
That's kinda weird and i love it. You do you girl!
I colect liek plushies or stuffed toys, whatever and they cost money, but I can tell you the name, where it was bought, how old I was and why we were in that place. I have some that are like 5$ and some that are 60$ but it's not for the sake of buying them, its a physical memory and yeah, collecting doesn't need to be expensive but I see them as physical memories
@@sadmermaidaww thanks, that's so nice to hear!
On collecting:
I'm an oddball in your audience, I don't really like shopping makeup or fashion. I'm more of a gamer artist geek. I grew up with Pokemon being the first thing telling my little brain to "collect them all" lol. I have attachment issues from family problems and I always turned to belongings to give me comfort. The Geek Nerd sphere is all about collecting to show how much of a "fan" you are. I've learned a lot from you that helps me really consider my needs more than showing my "dedication" to a show or game. I'm starting to cut back on collecting and find new ways to show my appreciation like supporting small business enamel pin makers and making a small space for a wall display for them. That way I can support artists and treat myself in a way that doesn't add to unnecessary consumption.
this is an interesting perspective; really made me think
I take a similar approach. It’s an appreciation rather than a branding, if that makes sense.
@@Shetooktothewoods I definitely agree, I love these things so much that I want to show my love for them. I buy a lot of manga to support the writers and artists as well.
I believe collecting is a hobby. Long term collectors generally tend to learn a great deal about whatever they collect. They also tend to specialize and self limit even if only for the lack of space. While a collection could turn into a hoard, I think most healthy people do not hoard and learn self limiting. Collectors are also afforded opportunities to meet to other collectors and broaden their knowledge even more. Because collecting generally is about way more than having things. I hope to never stop learning.
Vimes Boots Theory mention!!! 🎉🎉🎉 The direct quote is "The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money (...) A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet."
You will get that 100K plaque in no time!
In the case of collecting: Collecting as a hobby used to refer to things out of print and no longer made, where you can only buy second hand and it has a slight archival and restoration aspect to it. I think advertizers have convinced everyone that you collect mass marketed goods because they come in different colors or shapes etc, but to me if its readily available and mass manufactured then its not a collection, and your hobby focuses more on aesthetics and shopping than collecting.
also :O my hot take was included!! how cool!!
I was thinking along similar lines. I collect cat stuff, like home decor that features cats and I almost exclusively buy the items at thrift stores, yard sales, eBay, etc. Every once in awhile I'll buy something new but it's very rare. I think the last new cat item I bought was a cat shaped tape dispenser and that was probably 5 years ago at this point. I view collecting as gathering a theme of items. Generally that theme means something to you so I feel like collecting many different colors/styles of a mass marketed item is pretty weird for the vast majority of people who collect that item.
In my opinion, collecting can be things that are still being sold but there has to be some kind of personal connection or a story behind getting the item, not just walking into a closest mall and grabbing ten items at once.
With that definition, I completely agree with you. I don't think it's "collecting" unless the majority of your time is spent on searching for a rare gem, rather than on purchasing--and buying "limited edition" versions of currently produced mass market items is absolutely not collecting.
collecting I feel used to be so much more organic and also a much slower hobby. now you can have a "collection" in a matter of weeks and then get rid of it quickly because it doesn't have any real meaning for you
I’ve been collecting shells.
Having quiet walks on the beach while looking for rare shells is one of my favorite things to do. It makes me really happy and it’s mentally soothing.
I have a box dedicated to shells only and also a big woven dish to display them. From time to time I look through my collection and take out items that I already have. I’m planning to bring them back to the beach.
People used to collect post stamps or post cards. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.
On collecting: when I used to collect, I would do it to “complete” the collection. To appease my perfectionist tendencies. It felt like the collection was perfect when I knew I could collect it all and have a finish line. I used to think that way to much with everything in life and through therapy and just getting older, it has gone away. Not completely but it has DEFINITELY improved!
Re : take 2, I felt that so badly with my closet over the years. I bought so many aspirational pieces, both expensive and cheap, that I thought I would wear later. Recently I became more aware of what I actually want out of my wardrobe (as well as realized how much my texture aversions effected my mood, my weight shifted, and that my gender presentation was making feel terrible), and I ended up donating and selling over 200 pieces of clothing. SO MUCH wasted money, so much I could've put toward savings or life-improving changes. It was so hard to do, but when I look in my closet now, I'm excited instead of scared!
The boots theory you talked about is the “Sam Vimes ‘Boots’ theory of socioeconomic unfairness” it comes from one of the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett.
yes! this is the one
"A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet." The "still have wet feet!" aspect is so important to me because so often it's not just that being poor is more expensive, but it comes with this element of enforced suffering that we as a society lack compassion for.
I have been wanting a pair of Naturalizer Ballet Flats for about 6 months now, and FINALLY I got a pair that went on sale from $120 to $35. Im so excited and theyre real leather and I think I can make them last my lifetime.
I first came across one of your videos during the Sephora “sale” and I had no idea that I even had a problem until your videos challenged me to really think critically about my purchases!! Haul videos and restocks are such a norm now that I didn’t think about how it was affecting me and influencing me until I stumbled across just one video from you. Since then I’ve made conscious decisions to empty out my products before purchasing new ones, and to think critically about how much I will actually use them instead of just the thrill of the buy. I have been slowly changing my perspective every day and challenging myself into being a more conscious consumer. I know I still have a ways to go, but I’m in a better place now because of all your videos. Thank you Shawna!! ❤️
Shawna- I’ve been watching you for a few months now and you had no idea how grateful I am to have found your content. I still have a rocky relationship with money and consumption but hearing that you’ve been there before makes me feel sooo much better about my small accomplishments and relapses. I really want to get better and your content helps so much with that, thank you.
Omg, I didn't even notice you don't have a 100K already. You 100% deserve it. And it takes a loooot of work. Respect! You're so helpful
I can only speak for myself but the difference for me between that line of ‘treat yo self’ and feeling deprived was aiming for a healthy relationship with shopping. Being able to splurge at a reasonable amount with a budget and at least somewhat of a purpose, but also being able to keep it to just that planned amount and go back to ‘normal’. I had to stop shopping altogether for a bit just to give myself space to find ways to not do it compulsively. I still slip into a bit of overdoing it and after those periods I go ‘sober’ for a while until I feel comfortable not feeling that craving.
I am about to go to the store - and you’re helping to get me to build a list first-- I do have stuff I need - New Printer toner, a replacement strand of lights for my wreath, etc… but I do know that the stores I’m going to are ripe for my form of impulse buying. Thanks for the counter perspective
There's four types of collecting:
1. People who consciously buy multiple products within a specific category for the sake of building a collection
2. People who are addicted to shopping for certain products and call it a collection to justify their shopping addiction
3. People who collect whatever they come across because of some primal instinct to collect, which is hoarding, and often a metal issue
4. People who consciously buy multiple products within a specific category for actual usage, not solely ownership (those people don't consider it an actual collection themselves)
For example:
I'm type 4 when it comes to vinyl records, because I like playing quality records. I very selectively buy them and have accumulated more and more of them over the years. I'm not into limited editions and I'm not fussy about opening new ones. I'm just a guy who likes good sounding records and owns a collection of records because of that, a collection in the sense of "multiple items within a certain category". But records are meant to be played if you'd ask me. If it doesn't get any plays, it gets sold or given away. I care about the quality of the disc itself, but the cover doesn't need to be kept in mint condition, as long as it's still decent/neat looking. Which is a far cry from actual record collectors (type 1) who buy records based on their rarity, fancy artwork, to get all the records of a specific band, rarely play records to keep them in like-new condition and often prefer to keep the rarest sealed. Which in turn is a far cry from people who buy all sorts of random crap records at the flea market or dollar bin for the sake of hoarding or buying records (type 2 and 3).
I have a similar outlook on collecting - I also collect records, and cds, dvds, blurays, etc of media that I love. This is all with the purpose of using these items, and hopefully to get away from streaming services and switch to owning more physical media. I don't care what condition they are in as long as they work. And I'm specifically buying albums (or movies) that I love and want to watch/listen to multiple times, not just trying to get rare editions.
@@trianglejenn Yeah, I also listen to most of my records for many, many times. However, the condition does matter to me, but only the discs. Because the condition partially dictates the quality of the sound, and good sound from records is what matters to me.
However, that's also why my equipment is more expensive than my records.
For most people it's the other way around and have more money invested in their records than their audio equipment.
I've upgraded my audio equipment over the years multiple times and sometimes it's been like rediscovering records, when the equipment picks up details from the records that never stood out before.
However, I think I hit a wall and get almost all the details from records that they have to offer.
Truly spoiled by this vidmas, doing chores while I listen to your video. In the past week you've made it to 55k, CONGRATULATIONS and warm welcome to new community members!
Congratulations, you're awesome! I literally recommended your channel to my physical therapist this week 😂
Congratulations, Shawna! You're now up to 55k, which is awesome. I've been with you since about 16k and it's brilliant to see you succeed.
Congratulations on 50k. I have a colouring channel. I feel like there is alot of pressure to buy the newest books and the latest supplies. I have crafted alot of years and have quite a bit of stuff that I have never used. I have only recently found your channel and really enjoy it.❤
congrats to the 50k Shawna 🥰 although that's quite a lot lf people, I am still ongoingly surprised you don't have hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Your content is not only SO important but also very well informed and well spoken. Also, you release so many videos in such a short time, even putside of Vlogmas! The quality of the content is so high and although I understand that sustainability and conscious purchasing may be niche topics, I still feel like your channel is just waiting to blow up. Also, I loooove that you don't advertise any products in your videos.
Keep up the good work 😊😊
i have two hot takes: the first is that the trends about physical media started interesting, due to streamers and tech companies in general doing shady business practices, HOWEVER, you don't need multiple physical media for each thing you've ever been into. it's overconsumption and wasteful.
second: some sustainable/money tips are excludent to single people or people who live alone in general. if you don't share finances and resources with a partner, it's often way cheaper and less wasteful to go to the prepared food route, whether it's takeout, meal kits, food delivery, etc. maybe it's my location, idk, but if i were to cook for just myself everyday, the cost of energy/gas/groceries, not to mention my time, would absolutely be bigger than buying a quick frozen option from a local frozen food store. also less wasteful, since i don't throw produce away
re collecting, i think the take (it being hoarding wealth) makes sense if we're talking something with high monetary value that actually Wealthy people collect. a wealthy person's classic car collection, fine art collection, or luxury purse collection, sure. your (prole) grandma's collection of rooster figurines, not so much
It feels like yesterday when I found you out and you had 7000 subscribers. Your growth is very well deserved! Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉
As a perimenopausal person, I can relate to people targeting you as a cash cow because of your unique perceived need of a plethora of things. Hair thickness, reduce belly fat, tiredness, bone health, mental health the list goes on. Skin care marketed as perimenopausal skin care. Adding that label does not mean it’s a different thing to a standard product. Just use the buzzword to hook desperate, vulnerable people who are struggling in and take their cash. Oooh hit a nerve!!
I listen to your videos to go to sleep, I like that you have such a calm voice and you dont yell or get loud. I struggle to sleep a lot especially in silence. You've helped me sleep a lot and I really like your videos, even if I'm not always awake to hear them lol.
Edit, i do wanna clarify though that I do also watch your videos when I'm awake but they're really good to sleep to
I totally know what you mean! I also sometimes play videos as I'm going to sleep, this is such a high compliment to me, so thank you!
RE: collections - growing up I was obsessed with Pokémon and the cards. I’ve recently been getting back into it, but struggle to see the value in purchasing physical cards, especially since getting the cards you want in packs is very much a lottery. I’ve actually found a lot of joy in the app version of the game. You can collect the same cards and do the battles while not spending any real money or having to find space for all those cards. Editing to add, it is so much LESS of a bummer getting duplicates knowing I didn’t “waste” real money. It’s my favorite little thing right now.
Your first video was amazing! You seemed so interesting and different I was immediately captivated and told my partner about you. The way you have grown into your self has been like a wild flower opening. Your gentle critiques help me clarify and be happier 🥰
I've seen you in the comments for years. I was going to say from year one, and glad to know my suspicious was confirmed. I really appreciate you sticking around for so long and saying these kind words. Thank you so much 💕
I love your channel! I'm subscribed to no one but you're the only youtuber I've consistently watched lately, your content and vibe are so refreshing (trying to get off all social media and yt is the last one but your vids keep bringing me back 😭) congrats on 50k - so deserved!
I started watching your videos years ago, one of your “Project Pan” videos was randomly recommended by UA-cam😀 Never searched for nothing like that, but got interested and clicked 😁 I’m glad I did 🤗 Your channel is one of the best of my subscriptions🌟
You have single handedly changed my life!
I'm honoured to be part of your journey 💕
I'm so happy you've made it to 50k!!! I subscribed because I needed to hear the truth!! I also have AuDHD, and I'm sick of those, too, and also suffer from depression and chronic pain. 🖤💙
Your channel is my favorite thing I came across this year! I haven’t missed a video since I subscribed
Congrats on 50k! You deserve it
I think there are a lot of reasons to ‘collect’ things. If I think about the things that I collect, I have a bar cart that is space cowboy themed so I keep an eye out for vintage glassware or barware that fits that theme. It’s all useable and it’s a limited space in my house for a kitschy fun vibe that I enjoy looking at. A lot of collections involve the collection of knowledge - whether that’s shells or plants or books. We’re a big music and movies household and we’re very much OVER the subscription model so we collect dvds of things we’d want to watch as a family or records that we want to listen to. So yeah, I don’t think any of that is ‘wealth hoarding’. I don’t think any of that has any significant value beyond what my fiancé and I place on it. We source it all second hand bc it’s more fun for us than just ordering stuff and it is more affordable a lot of the time. But yeah we are also an autistic/adhd household so the collections can sometimes get a little bit out of hand I will admit 😂
Congratulations on 50k subscribers!!! 🎉
I recently found your channel and instantly loved your content. You have really opened my eyes on all the consumerism that is pushed. Thank you and congratulations!🎉🎉🎉
I am so happy for you Shawna! You deserve it. I am here somewhere in 2022. So you grow a lot! 💕
Congrats, Shawna!! I enjoy your channel so much, thank you for your work ✨
I have only been watching your videos for a few months, but your content has made such a difference in my purchasing behaviour and my overall attitude towards my belongings. I am so grateful for the work you do, and I wish you a very happy holiday season! ❤
so happy your channel is growing, your my fav creator, your content is so important but also entertaining
congrats on 50k!!! 🎉🎉🎉 looking forward to the rest of vidmas! 💖
I think in a world where big corporations like Amazon exist, it's harder, especially for young people (not me, I'm 55) to step back from buying stuff because they can buy things more cheaply than they can in a "real world." They also have quick access to things they wouldn't necessarily have access to in their home country. I live in New Zealand in the capital city, Wellington. When I was young we had four or five department stores. Now we have none in Central Wellington so doing things like taking your kids to see Father Christmas is no longer possible. One thing I used to do with my kids every year was go to a department store, to the temporary Christmas store to buy a new decoration (one each.) They are 27 and 20 now so it's a while since we have done that but, if we still had department stores, we might still. It's fun to build up a collection of their own decorations for them to take to their own homes.
We can get most things here that you can get overseas, now but our currency conversion is dire. So, I think people are tempted to go onto Amazon or Etsy stores but shipping costs are unbelievable, especially from the US, they end up being more expensive than the item you want to buy. I am an expert at finding the free shipping stores on Etsy but it's taken a lot of research and time.
Also, something I find incredibly frustrating is, when we're talking about sustainability and looking after our planet, that when we go to other places (particularly parts of the US) and they're still using single use plastics and disposable coffee cups and dishes, even when you're eating in. I took my kids to California about 5 years ago and almost everywhere we went (small towns, small cities, big cities), this was the case. California on it's own in roughly 1 and a half times the size of New Zealand and California is one of fifty states. I don't know what it's like in other states, but it makes the efforts that are government endorsed here, in NZ, look pathetic and a drop in the ocean.
It’s hard because the “solutions” aren’t really that much better in the long run anyway. For example we get paper straws but they’re individually wrapped in plastic 🤦🏼♀️. In my US state there’s a plastic bag ban but the alternatives on offer are thicker and take even longer to break down once they inevitably wear out. Also during the pandemic the amount of masks disposed of and single use items for “safety” canceled out every effort ever made beforehand. Consumers can’t win this alone and it’s very frustrating.
@ I totally agree. My daughter and I decided we would do what we can. We have a recycling system in Wellington so we recycle. Plastic bags have been banned here for years which is great except that the paper bag option uses a lot more water so is indirectly not that fantastic for the environment. I have a stock of reusable bags to do my shopping.
Shawna, thank you! You’re the only creator who I can say has had a real impact on my life and I’m proud to one of people that helped get this channel to the exposure you deserve! Since I found you in Fall 2022, you have continuously motivated me to pay off more than $19,000 in credit card debt, and I will finally be free from the chain of debt at the end of January. Truly, thank you for all you do for us ❤
Congrats on 50k Shawna!!!! You deserve it! I'd love to see you and Symone collab 🩷🧡💛
re: collecting, im autistic & always bonded heavily with objects (i consider my collection to be more important than anything else in my life) so i very much disagree with that take .. however in the comments people are saying that only collecting stuff thats discontinued & for the sake of archival etc counts as "true" collecting which i also dont agree with .. people are forgetting that there are so many things you can collect for so many reasons and ill admit it makes me a bit sad that this is how people irl might see me so some of this is def personal projection, not pretending to be unbiased .. as a kid, i used to collect rocks, and i still do occasionally. finding cool rocks is incredibly rewarding and the furthest thing from "wealth hording" for that matter. i do have some more "consumerist" collectibles, like plushies and figurines, and other more "out there" things ive collected (currently or in the past) are candy wrappers, lip balms (the super cheap ones with various flavor, and yes i use them all up eventually), energy drink tabs and some other stuff im definitely forgetting. i appreciate you not really dunking on collectors because it seems like its something many people have a limited understanding of, especially those who dont have strong bonds to objects like me, because i treasure everything i own! i thrift and DIY a lot too, so my apartment is an amalgamation of various experiences ive had and things ive loved, things that shaped me into the person i am today and so on .. its a hobby that brings me great joy, and i assume many others, though i do believe theres also people who use it as an excuse to flaunt their wealth or indulge in a shopping addiction. even for myself ive noticed that i will occasioanlly buy stuff on impulse and regret it, which is why i followed your channel and resonate with your videos, even if my interests are in different fields (not really into makeup and have never been really interested by trends, i dont leave the house much anyway)! this comment got a bit out of hand sorry, love your channel
31:37 "collecting has a level of intentionality behind it" is a great way to sum it up, 100% agree!
also, one more thing to add, a lot of collector-type hobbies for example lolita fashion (not something i wear but i find it stunning to look at) have a major community aspect! whether people collect items from specific brands (angelic pretty, btssb etc), of a specific substyle or based on any other critera, theres a big focus on community and most people have a lot of love for the pieces they acquire, which is why most people will tell you to not rush into it but build your wardrobe slowly & intentionally - many people take years to save up for their perfect coord, and a lot of it includes thrifting, trading and DIY
That sounds amazing. I live appartements that show a lot about the people who live there, especially when so much time, thought and effort has been put in. I think there are a lot of people out there who love to collect or have deep attachements to their things. They may just not be as vocal about it. I wish you all the best and many more hours of enjoying collecting and your collections
thank you so much for commenting and sharing your experience. I really value hearing about how collecting looks for you. I do agree that collecting doesn't have to have monetary value for it to be a collection or valuable to the collector. I think myself and others can be blinded to the consumer-driven collections we see online like jellycats, bath and body works candles, stanley's and imagine these when imagining collections and using them as the basis in which we form our opinion.
I totally agree I am autistic and I also like to collect and have things sometimes they might get overwhelming for me and it is things that I grow an attachment too that people might not understand such as medicine bottles or a packing for something I really wanted to get. sometimes I just collect gums and its not like it goes to waste because I do consume it and share it with others.
I have a child with autism and work in schools with students who have autism and collecting is important to many of them. Oddly enough, a lot of the collections didn’t cost much, if anything. Mostly rocks and labels. Granted, I only work with minors and many have no disposable income to create collections that cost money but the term “collection” shouldn’t carry a negative connotation.
33:14 props to take 8 for using the word “defenestrate.” Amazing! Also hard agree, marketing paid tools to people with ADHD (poor impulse control helloooo) is so slimy
I had to do 3 takes of this because I couldn't stop laughing 😂
Been here since No Buy Year and project pan videos and so great seen the growth and evolution of you and channel. 😊❤
This video was ✨cathartic✨
Congraaats! Also I love this top, hair, makeup combo!
Thank you so much Mae!
congrats!!! you are my favorite youtuber.
Your videos are so grounding for me. Former shopaholic for 20y & you're so realistic & good at talking yourself down from the spiral.
Im a new subscriber, you're very calming to listen to, and admitting to being in debt, shopping addiction etc is a rough, personal issue, but youre super kind about it. Also, no offence but i like going to sleep to your videos bc they're calming. Retention for the win lol!
Excellent video, as always. My overall takeaway is that everything has nuance, and nothing is black and white. I am definitely guilty of being too harsh with my opinions on consumerism, the environment, capitalism, etc. I can work on being more understanding.
I really appreciate your comment. It gave me a pause to reflect that I can do the same. Thank you and Happy Vlogmas.
I also appreciate your comment! I know I can partake in black and white thinking and I enjoy regularly seeing different perspectives in the comments. If you scroll through, you'll see a bunch of different takes on collecting.
❤ You are a DELIGHT, Shawna. Congratulations on 55K! 🙌💪💐
thank you, Marianne!
omgg my take is the first one! have been watching every vid of vidmas, love your channel
thanks so much for being here and taking the time to share your take! I appreciate you!!
Congratulations!!!! Your channel is awesome. Love how relaxing your videos are. Keep up the great work! You’ve helped me with thinking critically before making purchases ☺️☺️☺️
This was a fun one! And congrats on the channel milestone 🎉
Congratulations! Now let’s get Conscious Consumerism there too; you two are like the dynamic duo ( coming from different current life spots). Also, congratulations on Lady Plant looking fabulous behind you!!
I'm so very happy I found you! I absolutely love you and your content... and you have helped me think more responsibly when my wants start overcoming my needs and considering how it will affect my future! Much appreciation and love to you, thank you!💜
I found your channel fairly recently and have been watching everything since the beginning. Your thoughts have been very helpful for my own journey of better shopping habits. Thank you for creating your channel ✨Go sassy Shawna✨
Such interesting takes about romanticising products. I agree. We see our 'fantasy self' using particular brands or with a particular aesthetic. But... it's just a fantasy. We buy into something that's really not the authentic us.
Congrats girl!! You're going to get to 100k soon!
On the Boots theory: This reminded me of how my sister and I spent our money differently growing up. While I valued options and quantity over quality (buying things really cheap in order to have more options) my older sister would spend her money at stores I felt I couldn't afford but would only buy a few things. While it was sort of 50/50 chance of me getting an item that would last longer than a year, her items seemed to last years (for the most part). Now that I'm older and trying to exercise that same logic, I find that regardless of where I buy (expensive or inexpensive) it's a shot in the bucket. I have ZERO trust in the fabric of every retail store and I don't know where to even begin as far as trying to find a brand I can trust.
Collection is such an interesting topic. I think all humans have an inate drive to collect (ex how children will collect rocks or sticks) and that it was probably a very desirable trait when out survival depended on people collecting food to survive. So I see an evolutionary reason for us to collect.
However, I really hate how "my collection" applied to anything someone likes to buy for the joy of buying is more of a hype/it-word word than them really collecting something intentionally. Most people who collect things as a hobby are actually rather focused in how they choose to collect.
So, i think consumerism can have really negative effects if it triggers our collecting gene - but buying lots of stuff and then grouping them into "collections" is more giving people who collect things as a hobby a bad name.
Yes, we need another word for the behavior of buying all the options of a product. Now that you mention genes, I kinda have an "addictive gene" that has prevented me to try alcohol and another type of substances, it showed pretty well when I bought a lot of "collections".
your channel has helped so much, thank you!
Hi I am on replay,I enjoyed it however people who go on experiences instead of purchasing items can also be over consumption. The amount of merch sold at concerts adds to this issue. Families or individuals going to Disney and come home with so many products. Just for an example just take a look at Taylor Swifts merch sale, vinyl sales and her latest amount of book sales. Within the entertainment business movies come out and merch lines come out before the actually movie comes out. These people attend the movie as an experience and also purchase the merch for themselves or kids. The industry counts on the sale of merch as part of the profit. Not sure where the answer lies.Have a lovely day.
The Wicked movie merchandise is obnoxious. Do not want to see the movie or buy crap merch.
the merch is SUCH a good point! Taylor Swift was in Toronto not too long ago and that's what your example made me think of as well
50k! This year has been good to you!!!😊
Shampoo bars also seem to judy not be effective for most people, I just wish all shampoo came in pouches to refill bottles like amika and ouai. Like I would buy my dove in pouches
Really appreciate you thoughtfulness!!
Re: bar shampoo and conditioner
I also bought into the hype and the aggressive feel-good marketing. Please don't believe it. That product incredibly damaged my hair; it stripped away all the life and damaged the structure of my hair. My hair was thinning and falling out. It felt incredibly grimy despite using literal soap to clean my hair. It looked dirty and was weighted down by the grime that accumulated from the bar soap. I couldn't even brush my hand through my hair without strands breaking off, it was that brittle.
I tried it for months and honestly wanted it to work. In the end, I had to leave a negative review with my experience, and I kid you not, within twelve hours a rep contacted me with an offer for compensation to change my review. I did not respond.
@næntsi I hate bar shampoo for my very fine long hair. Same reasons you mentioned. But love bar conditioner! Hair looks thicker with airy volume and don't need styling products to look good.
@tomjones2157 I'm glad to see I wasn't alone in my experience.
I got rid of both products. :)
Well deserved Shawna! I’ve just subscribed yesterday!
Yooo I'm here early for once! Congrats!! And your blush looks really pretty ❤
Not me at 9:55 thinking you're talking about seasoning for cooking 😂
when I first saw your comment I was confused and then clicked to watch the time stamp and had a good giggle!
The real hot take is that the people who always comment about “needing to focus on criticizing corporations and social media” are rarely the ones taking any kind of political or even mildly inconvenient personal action. More often, they are using that line as a way to feel better about their own complicity when they know what the problem is and what steps they can take to improve, they just choose not to.
All of the "Sustainability Influencers" I follow have a single core message: the most sustainable thing you can buy is nothing at all. Basically, they are just doing what you are doing, helping people to consider whether they really NEED the things that social media tells them they need. And then when something genuinely does need replacing, what is the best way forward?
Shawna, you heal people.
I disagree with the hoarder hot take. Hoarding is a disorder separate from collecting. A collector can have a lot of a certain type of item and not be a hoarder. I collect dolls, but I also donate and resell dolls I'm no longer interested in. Hoarders don't let things go on their own, they just gather and gather, cling to and place value on items that are mundane or even trash. A hoarder could have a collection within their stuff, but one thing doesn't lead to another.
I’ve also seen a sustainability influencer say they don’t care about politics because it doesn’t effect the impact they can do as an individual… and I was shocked at how someone who promotes caring about the planet doesn’t see that sustainability is absolutely political and it does matter who we vote for. Not caring who’s in parliament because it doesn’t effect you is a huge privilege. I really worry about sustainability just missing the point like you said, promoting people to buy ‘sustainable’ things is still promoting shopping, I’m so happy to have found your channel.
this is so surprising to me for so much of what you said!!
Happy 50k 🎉❤
Congratulations on 50K!! 🎉
In regards to the overall controversial topics. It's difficult for me because I am a collector & I find joy seeing my full collection wether it be my makeup, earring or body scrub collection. However, most of times I buy items because of my impulsive shopping tendency & craving to spend money. 💰 Which is why I am an avid watcher of your channel. I need to be remind that most of the time it's not worth going into debt over. So thank you for doing so. You've talked me out of spending money unnecessarily on many occasions. Also looking back on all the money I've spent & thinking that it could have gone towards a down payment on a future home I'd like to buy also helps. However, unfortunately it's not full proof & there are moment where I slip.
You killed it with the thumbnail!
You, yes you - are something special❤
For me, collecting is not really a consumer activity. Obviously, I acquire art (which is what I collect). I buy from artists or buy pieces I come across in secondhand shops*. Some art is wall art. Some is functional art, like handmade coffee cups. Some is jewelry from a local silversmith. Most of the time, the art is a souvenir of a trip. I buy very selectively and I have a place in mind for each piece.
This is completely different than the late 90s / early oughts beanie baby rampage where everyone was rushing to buy the popular one that week as a trophy… until the next week when there was a new trophy to grab. And it’s different than hoarding boxes of “limited edition” tchotchkes or toys with the idea of them being valuable in however many years. That, to me, is a branding as one’s personality, as in being an X collector instead of simply collecting things one enjoys. I think that’s what the hot take was implying.
*I have a large portrait of woman I don’t know that dominates my living room wall. I rescued her from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Her name (per the artist’s signature) is Lucille and I think everyone should have someone who sees them like Dennis (the artist, also don’t know) saw her. I enjoy her and the other art on that and other walls every day, as well as remembering trips where I’ve acquired the mug my coffee is in or a pair of earrings I choose.
Your hair is so cute today!
Cheering you on!! 🎉
Off the topic, your old “no purchase January” video about learning to value what you own by taking care of what you have and not spending creating free time has changed the last 2 weeks so much for me. My house has never looked better (or cleaner), I’m learning contentment with what I have and I deleted my Starbucks app and dusted off my (too expensive, but unused) Ninja coffee maker. It’s small moves in the right direction thanks to you!
congrats on your success and I'm so glad those videos have been helpful !!
Congratulations and continued success in trying to help humanity.
I do think collecting is not a real hobby lol
CONGRATULATIONS 🥳🥳🥳
Yesss the predatory behavior for depression ADHD "products"s out of control recently
As not a native English speaker, it is so nice to hear objects called with "she". I remember how it was sad to learn that in English even animals are called "it". 😢
As a self-proclaimed eco-minimalist, right now I'm struggling with buying a new electric toothbrush that is sustainable and has a recycling program for the heads. I currently have an Oral B one, which is great, but I cannot STAND the thought of throwing away a plastic brush head every three months. I've looked at "sustainable" Oral B heads but I have a very specific type that doesn't have any worth buying that I can find. However, the thought of 1) spending money on a new toothbrush and 2) buying something new is stopping me. Is it better for me to buy a new toothbrush that actually has a recycling program for the heads and I know I'm not creating more trash, or is it better for me to keep what I already have and just continue to throw the heads away? This is a big dilemma for me in a lot of instances. If I'm going to buy something that's sustainable to replace something that's not, I use up what I already have before I spend the money on the sustainable product. I do think purchasing something that theoretically should last me years and years has a net positive if I'm not throwing away toothbrush heads, but I still can't pull the trigger. Sigh.
38:23 I call stuff “he/she” because in my native language we have a gender for any object 😭
Congrats Shawna! 💕 so proud!! been here since
Maybe I'm too brutal but imo these are more like lukewarm takes lol. Congrats on 50k!
Just wanted to let you know that you did pronounce AuDHD correctly (aw-d-h-d). Also congrats on 50k!
thank you for letting me know!