Consumption and Consumerism LifestyleÂ
Basically, consumption activity is a natural thing and is indeed a part of basic human activities in general. With a note, if it is done based on two things, namely the need and the use/benefit. So it becomes natural for someone to consume an item/service because it is really needed and useful for the person concerned. The problem is when the decision to consume something is no longer rational.
Not only because the item is needed and useful, but there are other factors such as lust, momentary gratification, and others. If someone uses goods/services irrationally and continues to do it excessively, unplanned, and continuously, then it will become a consumerism lifestyle. If someone has embraced this lifestyle, it will affect how he thinks, how to manage time, money, and funds, how he perceives things, and how he conceptualizes himself.
Along with the increasingly sophisticated technology today, it has implications for the culture adopted by most people. It can be said that consumer culture is the culture of modern society. Technology is like two blades, it makes it easier for us to do all activities, but on the other hand, it makes it easier for us to be exposed to various information, trends, and things that are viral on the Internet, which of course will affect our thinking patterns and ultimately how we conceptualize ourselves from the results of interactions. Of course, this culture provides a binary effect, positive and negative. Based on research results from BAYK with Populix and Blibli.com, shows that people's purchasing power is still strong during this pandemic. There is an interesting change in preferences, how consumers who are initially addicted to 'all healthy' products move to the need for compensation to remain 'sane and exist' (Kompas.com, 2020). This indirectly shows that the level of community welfare is quite stable. On the other hand, there is a gap between rich and poor, and social class groupings in society are based on 'ability'. A person can be compelled to force himself to follow an 'upper class' lifestyle by buying things that are not really needed but only to show off and look like 'upper class'. This behavior is called conspicuous consumption, to describe how objects or goods are exhibited to show social status and position.
Self-reward is a word that I often use as a form of appreciation for myself after successfully completing several targets at work or home. I assume self-reward as a form of self-love. If I could love myself of course I would be happier. Self-reward also often motivates me for the next goals. Usually, the self-reward that I often do is to buy the fashion that I like in the subscription marketplace. Moreover, on every date with the same month's sale, the marketplace usually gives crazy discounts and free shipping vouchers. Of course, I never missed it. In fact, I've spent almost a million just to shop for fashion, which I really don't really need. Self-reward is important, but self-reward can be used as a cover for releasing lust and pleasure for a moment. Moreover, cookie technology keeps us exposed to the products we have seen/looked for in the marketplace. We are like being 'followed' by these items when opening websites or other social media. Self-control is in ourselves, whether the self-reward that we do is still logical or has led to a consumerist lifestyle. Right now, the things I do are control myself through life's priorities. In addition, it expands the form of self-reward which is not only limited to 'spending money but can be in simple forms such as my time by reading webtoons and so on. Another thing is to increase understanding of the concept of consumption in Islamic economics, such as the halal concept,isrâf, and happiness at the end of his life.
Source : Kompas.com. (2020). Riset: Daya Beli Masyarakat Masih Kuat di Masa Pandemi Covid-19.
