CoventryThompson

Overconsumption might just be the word to describe the last few years of internet culture. With videos of unboxing products and influencers showing off their massive collections of skincare and beauty products all over the internet, some are starting to see the potential problems of rampant consumerism and are fighting back. 

Videos of beauty influencers talking about joining “Project Pan” have started going viral all over TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Project Pan is essentially about cutting oneself off from the high that can come from purchasing a new product when you don’t need it, promoting a more sustainable and financially conscious lifestyle. Participants are doing this by using all of their beauty products to the very last drop before buying a new one. 

According to the January Network survey 32.5% of students have at least heard of Project Pan and 26.6% are choosing to participate in the challenge. The trend is still relatively new and if it gains steam it is likely more young people who are used to living a life of following trends and overconsuming will want to join Project Pan.

Junior Sydney Schulze decided to join Project Pan after seeing it trend on TikTok. “I thought it was pretty simple and obvious, but then I realized I do have a lot of stuff that I should probably just get rid of before buying other things,” Schulze said.

Like many people joining Project Pan, Schulze wants to get rid of her extra beauty products the most. “I want to get rid of a lot of lip gloss and Bath and Body Works stuff like body spray and perfume, mainly just small things,” Schulze said.

Junior Cleo Washington is also hopping on the Project Pan trend. She also wants to get rid of some extra beauty products. “I hope to get rid of a lot of random lip glosses and makeup items I have laying around. I want to get rid of them all before buying new ones and continuing the cycle of waste,” Washington said.

Schulze said that Project Pan could lead to positive impacts when it comes to social media trends. “I think it will help a lot of people save money and it will help a lot environmentally. I think it’ll set a good precedent with it being on TikTok, that it will reach a lot of people,” Schulze said. 

Washington agrees and feels that Project Pan is already changing her views on social media trends. “I think it has already changed my views on overconsumption. I think that once I took a step back from being trendy and having all the cool new things I learned that I don’t need all those items to be in style and that it is truly a waste to not use the products I already have,” Washington said.  

One of the biggest reasons people have been joining Project Pan is the hope that it will lead to them living a more frugal and sustainable lifestyle. “Before when I would see a lip gloss I would go ‘Oh, that’s cute,’ and so I’d buy another one. Now I realize that I’ve got like five at my house,” Schulze said.

Even though Schulze and Washingotn have only been a part of Project Pan since the start of the new year, they are confident that they will meet their goals. She also believes participating will change her views on overconsumption. “It has changed my views on overconsumption and it can also be a mindfulness thing. A lot of people have buyer’s remorse, but doing this, I think that people will have less of that,” Schulze said.

Transitioning from a state of constant consumerism to purposely abstaining from buying new products can be a harsh one when done suddenly. However, Schulze believes that joining Project Pan can benefit even those who are hesitant or are used to a more consumerist lifestyle. 

“I think saving money is a big thing for sure so then I can use it toward something else instead of spending it on a $10 lip gloss. It can also benefit the environment which is a huge thing for our generation,” Schulze said.

It is unknown whether Project Pan and other frugality trends are temporary fads or here to stay. As young people become more aware of the potential harmful effects of consumerism on their spending habits and the environment, conversations around consumerism and the real life impact of social media trends continue to take place, they will continue to influence the lifestyles of real people.