“Underconsumption Core”: New Trend or Normal Life?
Exploring the Tiktok trend of simplicity
A new topic circulating on the Internet, especially Tiktok, is called “underconsumption core.” It is a response to other aesthetic trends, like “cluttercore,” in which people embrace having a lot of stuff.
Swipe through a few videos under the topic and you will see examples of underconsumption, such as thrifting clothes, reusing items instead of buying disposables, and living under your means to save money for retirement. People proudly post their normal homes, not extravagant mansions.
Basically, they reject overconsumption — of which there’s plenty on Tiktok. Sound familiar? I’ve seen these same principles described as minimalism, zero waste, or FIRE.
Minimalism has a lot of meanings, but as a lifestyle trend, it means reducing the amount of items you buy, and keeping only what you need. A minimalist closet would have basic clothing that is easy to mix and match, not this season’s trends. Minimalists might routinely go through their homes to declutter and make sure they are using everything they own.
Zero waste is a movement that aims to eliminate trash. With zero waste, everything is composted, re-used, or recycled, and nothing goes into a landfill. Think using cloth instead of paper…
