How does the academic study of consumption help you understand the role of consumption in your life?

The picture here is a glass of water that I was about to consume. Water is a beverage that I literally consume every day. It is a must for me. Even if I'm heading out, I always have my bottle of water with me in my backpack. Whether if I'm going to university or to the gym later on, I always have some water with me. The different pictures in the blog posts are meant just to illustrate my research and what I consume regularly. The academic study of consumption really helps me to understand the role of consumption in my life by delving deeper into the subject itself and actually define what consumption really is. Consumption can also be cultural where it would define and shape my culture and cultural identity. It has also taught me that as an individual, I experience consumption as a project of forming and expressing my personal self-identity.

Slater (1999) states that, "All consumption is cultural because it always involves meaning" (Slater, 1999, p. 132). For instance, humans have different needs but those needs might take diverse cultural forms in different communities or groups (when one wants Spanish or Chinese food it can be considered as different forms of the same basic need of hunger). Further, culture affects consumption: as regards, the actions of people are usually based on their own personal desires, however, at times they are compelled in other directions by cultural forces (Slater, 1999, 133). In both cases, culture supplements consumption and they are connected. Taste, style, fantasies and sexuality are also involved when it comes to Consumerism.

"Consumption means growth, and growth is good" (Scaraboto, 2022, p. 11). Ensuing the economic growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which allowed for the mass production of consumer goods, people were convinced and enticed into believing in the importance of pursuing life goals (status, safety, security, balance, happiness) through consumption (Scaraboto, 2022). Subsequently, consumption has been intended to be engaging and enjoyable, and when that is not possible, it is considered as a civic duty as good citizens have to support their country's economy (Scaraboto, 2022). Through academic study of consumption, I have understood that consumption in life is meant to be some kind of engaging pleasure, leisure where I would consume goods and services to express myself and achieve happiness, status and life goals etc... However, there is another side of it where it is considered as a "civic duty" which means that I should support my country's economy.

The academic study of consumption has also helped me to understand that people (including myself) would tend to consume even more due to the occurring of certain events, which may include health care emergencies, natural catastrophes and terrorism incidents (Loxton et al., 2020). Such events may affect an individual psychologically which would result in some changes in his/her behavior. For instance, they could result into panic-buying or herd-mentality behavior. Covid-19 crisis caused an emotional reaction which also influenced consumers' impulsive and obsessive buying behaviors. With the help of this academic study of consumption during time of crisis/pandemic, I know now that I am better prepared as a consumer for future life-threatening eventualities as I will be less emotionally affected since I know that this could affect my behavior, decision-makings and how I would consume goods and services in general. The academic study of consumption increases my awareness of consumption itself and how I should consume while not letting external factors affect my behavior and decisions.

I am a huge consumer of music. I consume/listen to music literally every day and almost all the time. Thus, that's why I decided to share a picture of my earphones below. I think it really adds to my digital story as music is very significant to me and I consume it every day. What I can say is that the academic study of consumption is also helping me to create new perspectives which in turn would help me to get a better understanding in my life. Consumption forms part of my every day life and to actually get to study such aspect of my life, it's really enriching and insightful.