Empty Shelves. Coffee at home. Glass jars that have a never-ending amount of uses.
This is what the kids call “underconsumption core”, and it’s been flooding my feed for weeks. People romanticize buying less, needing less, and doing more.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the intention. It’s a welcome shift from the over-glamorous hauls and picture perfect aesthetic that’s taken over social media.
But after watching a compilation of videos about using your skincare until it’s gone and being okay with non-matching pajamas, I can’t help but ask…
When did living simply become an aesthetic and not just… real life?
Many of us, especially women, have lived in some form of underconsumption long before it became Pinterest-worthy. We stretched paychecks. Made things last. Said “no” when we wanted to say “yes.” Not for content, but for survival.
Now, with the holidays around the corner, we’re about to be pulled in the other direction again, spend more, show more, gift more, host more.
But what if this season, we don’t go into debt trying to prove our love or worth?
Get Back in Touch with Simple Living this November
It’s becoming clear that people are tired of the luxury, over-the-top, non-relatable lifestyle that’s been shoved down our throat the past few years.
Who’s really catching our attention? The people who are authentic, who share not just their success story but the treacherous road they had to take to get there. And doing it with chipped nails and imperfect skin.
Why? Because that’s real life. Celebrating moments no matter how you look. Showcasing your life in a home that isn’t clean and well designed. Doing the best with what you’ve got, because that’s all you really can do.
The Financial Reality, Especially for Women
Apple picking, hot cocoa… and money stress. Let’s talk about it.
Women disproportionately carry the burden of making the holidays “magical”, all while managing the household, emotional labor, and their own careers and/or caregiving responsibilities.
In a time where prices are going up and the pressure to be the “perfect host” won’t let up, the holiday season can feel a lot less “magical” for women.
Here’s something that’s not so obvious: financial wellness matters just as much as emotional or physical wellness. Overspending might feel good in the moment, but it can come back to haunt you in January and beyond, especially if it’s layered on top of existing financial strain.
Let’s get clear on another thing: buying more gifts does NOT equal giving more love. You don’t have to show the people you care about that they matter through dollar bills.
So this year, consider giving yourself permission to:
Spend time instead of money. Thoughtful doesn’t have to mean expensive. A handwritten letter. A framed photo. A batch of homemade cookies. A walk with a friend to see Christmas lights. These things cost little but mean a lot.
Know your limits. You don’t have to attend every event, say yes to every Secret Santa, or host every dinner. Doing less is not failing. It’s protecting your peace and giving you room to enjoy the beauty and magic of the season.
Talk openly about budgets. Normalize financial honesty with friends and family. You’d be surprised how many people will breathe a sigh of relief when you suggest a gift swap or potluck instead of an elaborate exchange.
Visit our action steps down below to learn how to shift your energy this season, without stretching yourself thin or breaking the bank.
Rose Colored Glasses
“I’m grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” – Henry David Thoreau
Gratitude, as Thoreau suggests, is not just a fleeting feeling reserved for holidays or moments of ease, it’s a continual, conscious practice.
While some may wake each day naturally attuned to what is good, beautiful, or working in their lives, many of us must work at it. And that work is not lesser, it is sacred. Practicing gratitude doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect; it means choosing to witness what is still worthy of thanks, even in the midst of chaos, uncertainty, or grief.
Like a muscle, gratitude grows with use. At first, it might feel forced or even frustrating, especially when life feels heavy. But over time, that practice, whether it be writing a few words in a journal, speaking aloud a quiet “thank you,” or simply pausing to notice a small kindness, builds inner resilience.
This kind of thanksgiving is a quiet, dutiful devotion. It’s the kind of strength that doesn’t shout, but steadies us from the inside out. It teaches us to focus not on what is missing, but on what remains.
The heart of this new “underconsumption” wave isn’t just about doing less, it’s about appreciating more.
So what if this November, we start with what we have and not what we lack?
Let’s reframe gratitude as more than a trend or a caption. Let it be a lens. A new way to look at our lives. Put on your rose colored glasses and see all the good that surrounds you.
Real Life > The Aesthetic
The underconsumption core may be trending, but for many of us, it’s what we’ve always known: making the most with what we’ve got, staying grounded in gratitude, and prioritizing meaning over material.
This season, let’s honor that. Not by performing simplicity, but by really living it.
By being grateful for what’s here, choosing presence over perfection, and remembering that enough is a powerful thing to be.
We wish you a season of peace, filled with what is most dear to you, with plenty of time to reflect on the miracles surrounding us.
With Heart,
enlightenHer
Action Steps
Instead of breaking the bank on “okay” gifts this season, take the opportunity to learn peoples’ love language.
How do they show love, and how do they best receive it? That kind of awareness can transform the way we connect, especially during the holidays.
Here are some love-language-inspired ideas to help you connect more intentionally this season.
💬 Words of Affirmation
Skip the quick text, write a heartfelt note or letter. In a world of brief messages and follow-up emails, taking the time to write a few honest, thoughtful sentences can be more powerful than the most expensive gift.
🎁 Receiving Gifts
If someone lights up when receiving gifts, focus on meaning, not money.
Give something personal: a handmade item, a thrifted treasure, or a thoughtful token tied to a memory or inside joke. It’s less about the price tag and more about the effort put behind it.
🕯️ Quality Time
Do something they genuinely enjoy together. That could be seeing a show, going to a favorite restaurant, or joining them for their go-to workout class.
Low-cost ideas: take a scenic hike, cook a meal together, or catch up over coffee and a walk. Turn off your notifications and take the time to connect. Presence is the best present.
💪 Acts of Service
Offer help instead of things.
Does your friend need a babysitter, a ride, help with errands, or someone to meal prep with?
These simple gestures often say “I love you” more loudly than anything wrapped in paper — and they show you care enough to lighten their load.
🤗 Physical Touch
Share warmth in ways that feel natural and respectful. Hugs, hand-holding, a gentle squeeze on the shoulder, or simply sitting close during a conversation. These small moments of physical connection can be deeply reassuring.
🌲 Bonus: Decorate with care, not consumerism.
Use what you already have. Make your own. Skip the pressure to buy “aesthetic” décor, and let your space reflect connection, not consumption.
This season, connect with intention.
Not everyone gives or receives love the same way, and that’s a beautiful reason to slow down and truly learn one another.