Sometimes it’s easy to just give up on maintaining an organized home… You’re trying to stay on top of the daily cleaning, juggle a partner’s crazy work schedule, and keep the tiny humans alive. Every now and then, I need to go full force and burn the house down just to start fresh.
Decluttering and minimalist living are more than just trends. They’re paths to a simpler, less stressful life. A clutter-free space can improve focus, reduce anxiety, and create more time for what truly matters. You. Your family. And your mental health.
In today’s consumer-driven world, the concept of DE-influencing is gaining popularity. It challenges us to resist unnecessary purchases and prioritize intentional living. As an influencer, I understand the benefit of sharing deals with the hopes of making a small commission. The more we share, the more we make… right? But on the flip side, this can easily become a slippery slope of overconsumption which becomes clutter, and clutter can truly mess up your mindset.
DE-influencing is a movement that encourages mindful consumption and resists the pressure to buy more. Instead of chasing trends, it promotes thoughtful purchases that align with your values and needs.
So let’s explore the dangers of overconsumption and then hang tight for practical tips for decluttering.
The Dangers of Overconsumption
Overconsumption impacts more than just our wallets. It literally affects the planet and our well-being.
•Environmental Impact: The average American generates over 4.9 pounds of waste daily, much of which ends up in landfills or the ocean. Fast fashion alone produces 10% of global carbon emissions and is responsible for massive water pollution.
Quick rant- I absolutely loathe the MAGA/MAHA movement (feel free to unsubscribe, unfollow, and block me if you feel the need to argue any of their talking points. This is mind, it infuriates me that they have taken over the “crunchy” mindset. To me, crunchy is entirely science based. It’s being mindful about our carbon footprint, reducing our waste output, choosing food that nourishes our body, respecting nature and the animals that live in it, and leaving the world better for the next generations. The MAGA/MAHA folk have completely flipped the narrative, pushing for oil and fossil fuels, the defunding of national parks, protesting against alternative energy sources. They mocked the initiatives to limit plastic bags and straws, and other single use plastic. But now they’re able to call themselves “crunchy” because they make sourdough bread and drink listeria ridden raw milk? Bullshit. But I digress.
•Social Costs: Many consumer goods are produced in poor working conditions, often exploiting labor in developing countries.
•Personal Burden: Owning too much stuff can lead to stress, debt, and a constant feeling of overwhelm.
Simplifying our lives isn’t just about tidying up. It’s about having sustainable habits that benefit both people and the planet. We don’t get a second chance on those things.
Tips for Avoiding Overconsumption:
•Pause Before Buying: Ask yourself if you truly need the item or if it’s just an impulse buy. I like to take pictures of things I want and then decide later. This is actually great when my kid asks for something in the store as well. When I am on Amazon, I add to cart and then periodically will revise my cart and remove stuff that I am no longer interested in before checking out .
•Unfollow Influencers Promoting Excess: I used to follow a whole bunch of influencers who would share ridiculous hauls constantly. I don’t know if they were returning the stuff after they shared, and try on, which is its own ethical dilemma, but more often than that they would have the same item in multiple colors. There are times when I buy the same item in multiple colors, but only when it’s a quality item that I genuinely love. You do not need the newest Stanley every time a new color drops. Anyone who is constantly sharing brand new items every time they drop is promoting excess and you don’t need that in your feed 
•Shop your Closet (or cupboards) before you Buy: sometimes we will buy a new item because we think we need it for a special occasion or specific event. But the truth is, you probably already have something on hand that gets the job done. Get creative with your wardrobe and repurpose and style an item that you already have, instead of buying a brand new outfit. look in the back of your cupboards before you buy a new appliance. Do you need a third coffee maker just because this one has a frother? Spoiler alert, you probably don’t need an ice cream machine or a snowcone machine or a popcorn machine. 
• Replace Cheap, Mix-matched Sets with Quality items.  This is one of my goals for 2025. When we merged our homes, we also merged an our possessions, and a lot of the stuff we owned was low quality. Every time an item breaks, we would find ourselves replacing with that same quality of item. This year, I am donating any mix matched items and replacing them with new items that will last. For example, we just bagged up all of the silverware to donate, and filled the tray with two brand new quality sets. (Check out the swap, here)
Mindfulness is key to maintaining a clutter-free lifestyle. By resisting the urge to overconsume, you’ll save money, reduce waste, and create a more peaceful home. Let’s agree that we all need a little more peace in our Home.
By embracing DE-influencing, you can resist the pull of overconsumption and stay focused on sustainability and simplicity.
Ready to start your decluttering journey? Be sure to continue to this blog post, where I break down seven areas in your home (and life) that can be decluttered.
