When Overconsumption Becomes an Aesthetic: Why You Still Feel Empty

Download Cookie Jam for free using my link here: https://jamcity.me/Laura_Jane_Atelier Why does a $300 Shein haul make us feel good for 15 seconds—and empty the next day? Why do we scroll for hours through unboxing videos, only to end up with more stuff and less satisfaction? In this video essay, we explore how overconsumption became the aesthetic—from 1950s postwar shopping booms to 1980s mall culture and today’s TikTok haul economy. What began as a symbol of prosperity has turned into a performance of identity… and it's still not enough. We unpack how shopping became emotional therapy, how algorithms exploit our insecurities, and why we're constantly trying to fill a void with cart checkouts and next-day shipping. Whether you’re deep into “clean girl” culture, obsessed with aesthetic shelfies, or just tired of feeling numb after buying things you thought would make you happy—this video is for you. Let’s reflect together: What are you really craving when you hit “Add to Cart”? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s talk about the emptiness we don’t usually unpack. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM4hiMCyAEMxibzIYrOKD5Q/join