6 Reasons Why Haul Culture is Problematic

The Problem with Haul Culture

Guys….. Every time I see one I feel a lot of emotions. I’ll list them below and explain, but maybe you know exactly what this feels like.

First, I feel Interested

My first thought is pure curiousity. I want to know what’s new and trending. What did they get that I like and I can buy?

Next, I feel Jealousy Creeping in

Then, I start to feel envious of these hauls. Why can’t I afford to do the same? I want all the cool trending things they bought, so how can I do the same?

Lastly, I get Angry at these Hauls

Lastly, my environmentalist side comes out and I feel upset by someone spending hundreds of dollars on products that simply won’t last.

And you may be thinking …..  what do these haul videos really have anything to do with me? It’s someone else’s video just scroll past them… WELL - there is a huge issue with haul culture that honestly effects everyone so I want to dissect haul culture and help explain why it’s a problem:

6 Reasons Why Haul Culture is Problematic

1. Promotes excessive consumerism and impulse buying

   Haul culture encourages individuals to purchase a large quantity of items, often impulsively, without considering their actual needs or the long-term consequences of their purchases. This leads to wasteful spending and accumulation of unnecessary possessions.

2. Encourages a throwaway mentality and contributes to waste

   Haul culture promotes the idea of constantly acquiring new items, which in turn fosters a throwaway mentality. As a result, people tend to discard perfectly usable items in favor of the latest trends, contributing to the growing problem of waste and landfill overcrowding.

3. Fosters unrealistic beauty and fashion standards

   Haul videos and posts often showcase an abundance of products, creating unrealistic expectations about how much one should own or how one should look. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and pressure to constantly keep up with the latest trends.

4. Exploits labor and perpetuates unethical practices in the fashion industry

   Haul culture is closely tied to the fashion industry, which is notorious for its unethical labor practices. The demand for fast fashion and constant consumption fuels a cycle of exploitation, where workers are underpaid and subjected to unsafe working conditions.

5. Impacts the environment through increased carbon emissions and resource depletion

   The production, transportation, and disposal of the excessive amount of products associated with haul culture contribute to carbon emissions and resource depletion. This further exacerbates the environmental crisis and contributes to climate change.

6. Negatively affects mental health and promotes comparison and dissatisfaction

   Constant exposure to haul culture can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-comparison, as individuals may feel pressured to match the lifestyle and possessions of those showcased in haul videos. This can negatively impact mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction with one's own life.

So remember…

All of these things contribute to the unhappiness that’s become more and more prevalent in our lives & communities, but I want to remind you that it DOESN’T HAVE TO!! 

Please reminder yourself that we are entering our anti haul era. It’s OKAY to rewear outfits or use the same dish rack year after year. You don’t need the latest and greatest invention to still live a beautiful and fufilling life. The second that we allow ourselves to feel influenced an effected by these hauls, is the second that we allow ourselves to get lost in comparison and feeling like we aren’t enough - and that is so far from reality. Because you ARE enough, even without perpetuating haul culture.

If you want to learn more, you can listen to the recent Mind Body Planet podcast episode!

XOXO,

Krys