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3471In a Reddit post titled “I think my husband finally understands why I’m anti-consumption,” the poster shared that for years, her husband brushed off her refusal to follow trends as a “poverty mindset.”
“He used to think it’s because my parents are always talking about how broke we are despite us living in a literal mansion of a house,” she wrote.
“So he’d tell me he’ll buy me everything I want when we get married.”
But once they got married, he realized she didn’t have any extravagant wants.
She bought only what she needed, often repurposing old items. If her jeans wore out, she’d turn them into bags.
That sort of reuse baffled her husband at first. Still, he appreciated her creativity.
Then, something clicked. One day, while mourning the loss of her favorite scrunchie, she casually mentioned she would reuse the elastic to make a new one. Her husband looked at her strangely at first.
“Then he said, ‘I guess it kinda makes sense. It’s not about buying new stuff. It’s about not being wasteful. If more people were like you, our planet would actually be a better place to live.'”
That moment of recognition left her overjoyed.
“I finally feel understood by him,” she wrote. “I guess it’s bare minimum, but feel like the luckiest woman in the world.”
Anti-Consumption as a Lifestyle, Not a Trend
In an edit to the post, she explained that her approach isn’t about making a statement. It’s simply how she lives.
“I’m mostly anti consumption because we barely have any money left over by the end of every month. I started because it was a practical habit and now it’s the only lifestyle that makes sense to me.”
Her husband, she added, was raised in a consumer-friendly household. His mom often shops to cope with stress.
“She has ordered things to our address so many times by mistake,” she said. Yet, her husband has made strides. He now tries to buy only from ethical brands and spends less.
Commenters related to her story in droves.
One user summed it up by saying, “It takes a really long time for the human brain to start to deprogram from consumerism-driven habits obtained over a lifetime.”
Others shared similar experiences. One said they asked their family to stop gifting them plastic trinkets.
Another recalled their cast iron pan nearing 140 years old: “I’m just a steward for the pan. It belonged to others before me and it will belong to others after. And I love that.”
Rejecting the “Poverty Mindset” Label
Many people took issue with the term “poverty mindset.”
One person wrote, “It’s not a poverty mindset. It’s a scarcity mindset. And with tariffs as they are, it’s a great habit to be in while living in the USA these days.”
Another added: “I feel that’s more ethical than a ‘merit through consumption’ mindset.”
Some shared how they influence their partners over time.
One commenter wrote they used to toss items because it felt overwhelming to find places to donate, but once they downsized, they were more intentional with purchases.
“Less stuff, less work, less cost, less stress!” one minimalist declared.
One commenter offered a philosophical take: “Act only on that maxim which you can rationally will to be universal. Consuming less is better for the planet, and better for our own well-being.”
Not Alone Anymore
The original poster responded to many comments with gratitude and shared tips on how to remove stains and make DIY items.
She even explained how she made her tote bags out of old jeans.
For her, being anti-consumption started as a necessity.
Now, it’s an identity. And finally, her partner gets it.
“It’s indeed very healing,” she said. “I wasn’t always anti-consumption either. It’s a long process and a lot of reconditioning.”
Her story stood out because it showed how even small things, like fixing a scrunchie instead of tossing it, can help someone understand a bigger idea.
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