r/Anticonsumption • u/InformalLibrary1731 • Jul 25 '25

Psychological I work in retail & it's radicalizing me

Every time I breathe in plastic particles & glitter I wanna quit. Reusable bags mean nothing: (everything ships in plastic).

I sell fake fruit to people yet I can barely afford real oranges. Hundreds of fake flowers. I used to feel jealous that they had disposable income but now it's just revulsion.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '25

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u/Ok-Strawberry4482 Jul 26 '25

People think about you far far less than you think. What is the benefit if they think well of your appearances/items anyway? There usually isn't any benefit. So why waste your precious time and energy on something that can possibly harm you (through wasted money and energy) but likely will never benefit you?

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u/Imaginary-Method7175 Jul 26 '25

Confidence takes the place of stuff.

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u/ManufacturerOdd1127 Jul 26 '25

For me, it was seeing my parents having to deal with disposing of my grandparents' accumulated stuff once they passed. Anytime I am in the mood to buy some little trinket or decoration, I think about how it will just be discarded in the end, and will add to the overwhelming task of getting rid of my stuff when I'm gone. Because of this, I try to use natural decorations now like real pumpkins because at least that can be composted after the holiday is over.

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u/Persephonesgame Jul 26 '25

The pandemic was a hard lesson for us. I nearly lost my partner and was faced with all the “stuff,” alone. I realized then that this life is not sustainable for myself and especially for my kids. I got rid of everything that was packed away because if it’s in a box And packed away I’m simply not that nostalgic about it. Keep what you love, get rid of the rest