The Problem With Hauls and Collections Posts/Videos

Hauls and collections videos/blog posts are very popular on social media platforms. Looking back I must have done at least 20 haul posts on this blog in the last couple of years. So it just got me thinking about how lacking in substance these posts were. They were more like filler posts that might have kept the blog running by creating some interest in the audience but they were not really adding any value to my blog. Other than making people think that I am a shopaholic it doesn't really tell much about me as a blogger either. And that is not the intention with which I started my blog. I do not want people to think I have too much money to waste, that I'm showing off, or that I have a shopping problem. I also do not want people to get bored with the non-stop haul posts because it is neither entertaining nor educational. I am not saying I am going to completely stop doing haul posts but I want them to be something more than just showcasing a bunch of products I bought. So I decided to remove all unnecessary haul posts from my blog that do not have any substance to them. I have also decided not to haul any more unnecessary stuff from stores. This, in a way, has also helped me to make my life more de-cluttered. I realized I have an excess of unnecessary things that are not adding any value to my life but are only taking up space. I do not want to become a materialistic junkie who likes to collect things. The picture below is a collage of all the haul posts I did. I revamped a couple of these posts by adding more content like mini-reviews etc., but I took down most of them as I do not want reminders of my mistakes/shameful past anymore.

All the collection and haul posts I see in the online influencers' realm are problematic and triggering. Just because somebody went and hauled stuff from a drugstore or a luxury store makes us also want to go there and buy a bunch of stuff which in reality we might not need. And just because someone has a collection of, let's say 100 blushes, it might make us feel like we are missing out and pushes us to go out and buy 100 blushes to start a collection of our own. And that's just the tip of the iceberg because it doesn't stop there, the collection goes into becoming more collections with 100 lipsticks, 100 nail polishes, 100 foundations, 100 eyeshadow palettes, and so on. That is a serious problem especially if it is not something you really need or use in your life. It is also a lot of hard-earned money wasted and never to come back.

Having said all that I wanted to summarize the negative effects collections and hauls posts/videos can have on everyone viewing them in a more categorized way, as follows:

Environmental impact: Hauls and collections often promote fast fashion, which is very harmful to the planet. Fast fashion creates a lot of waste, consumes a lot of water, and emits a lot of greenhouse gases. Even thrift hauls can contribute to overconsumption and textile waste if people buy more than they need or discard items quickly. This is however not just in the fashion industry but also in beauty, tech, and many other such industries.

Mental health impact: Hauls and collections can trigger negative social comparison, anxiety, depression, and body image issues, especially for teens. Social media platforms use algorithms that push users to view more toxic content that can worsen their symptoms. Hauls and collections can also create unrealistic expectations, dissatisfaction, and pressure to keep up with trends and peers.

Economic impact: Hauls and collections can encourage impulsive and excessive spending, which can lead to financial stress and debt. Many people buy things they don’t need or use, and end up wasting money and resources. Some people may also feel pressured to buy from unethical brands or sources that exploit workers and animals or use harmful materials and practices.

Social impact: Hauls and collections can create a culture of consumerism, materialism, and superficiality, where people value themselves and others based on their possessions and appearance. This can erode social bonds, reduce empathy, and increase narcissism and selfishness. Hauls and collections can also reinforce stereotypes, prejudices, and inequalities based on gender, race, class, and other factors. People in general are going to start to have more junk values than real values and that is just not good for society as a whole.

I hope this didn't come off as a hate post against all those influencers who create collections/hauls content. I used to be one so no judgment here. I just want to enlighten/educate the consumer a little bit more about how such content can and is impacting your life in probably a negative way and how you can take back control by not letting it consume you.