Why we overconsume

Why do we keep buying things we don’t really need, even when we know they won’t make us happier for long?In this episode of The Meaning of Everyday Things, we explore overconsumption not as hedonistic tendencies but as a compulsiveness that reflects modern life itself. From dopamine and emotional regulation to capitalism, identity, and social media culture, this episode asks why “enough” feels so hard to find in a world of endless desires.Here is an introspective deep dive into the psychology and sociology of needs/wants, and what our consumption habits might really be trying to tell us.