While the world is becoming increasingly obsessed with excess and material wealth, many people are embracing modest living ideals. Still, this move toward simplicity and restraint has its competition. For some, keeping up with the modest lifestyle has become as competitive as trying to keep up with the Joneses. The modesty of living is no longer an individualistic choice. Still, it has become socially comparative and status-related, and sometimes, unconsciously, it is a race to the bottom to prove who can be the most simple and ethical in life.

Rise of Modesty as a Status Symbol

Modest consumerism and lifestyle choices had long been a quiet preference for an individual. In recent years, though, it has ballooned into a competitive field in which people are being assessed not only by what they have but by what little they have. The ascension of minimalism, eco-awareness, and ethical consumerism have enabled people to show off their frugality, and it’s not necessarily for the reasons one might imagine. Other status symbols, like modesty, have been transmuted through time from a low-key form of renunciation or abstinence into a sign of moral virtue or high “enlightenment.”

The new trend of self-modesty on social media certainly played no small part in this trend. What used to be a private pledge of moderation was now to be Instagrammed and hashtagged about. The simple living that the influencers and bloggers have turned into an art form, from perfectly curated homes to wardrobe choices to travel plans, has seen “modest living” become a new form of prestige as followers emulate the carefully curated, “simpler” lifestyles.

 The New Materialism: Modest But With Style

Whereas modest living gravely demands less spending and a simpler life, things have taken an exciting turn. Modest living is now this radical expression of materialism based less on the mere number of possessions but on the quality and intention behind those possessions. Affordable luxury sustainable fashion, conscious home decor, and expensive ethically produced products now sit heart and soul at the core of what many would call “modest” living.

Competition marks the new materialism. A humble abode will have fewer goods, but those goods were often handpicked with love, care, and sometimes huge cost. From artisanal handmade rugs to upcycled designer furniture, the pursuit of simple living has morphed into the quest to get the most unique and sustainably sourced items, often at an enormous price.

The Social Pressure to Be “Modestly Successful”

It isn’t easy to excel in the modest living world like any other competitive arena. For most people, it is a balancing act: sustainability with fashion, minimalism with comfort, and frugality with the desire for recognition. Just like any other status, “modest living” has its trends. This introduces another competition level into the fray because most people become desperate to get ahead of the curve; they want to ensure choices reflect not only the newest in terms of sustainable living or ethically sourced consumption.

Even in modestly living communities, there is stiff competition. The competition to be the most ethical, frugal, or sustainable gives a silent competition in the forms of eco-challenges or minimalist makeovers. It is a silent competition measured by the lack of what you have or present.

Implication on Mental Health and Self-Esteem

Since modest living is a form of comparison, it has negative implications for mental health. The constant pressure to be measured against others, where one is supposed to reflect the “right” sort of simplicity, can often induce inadequacy. People are sometimes left to question their decision-making: are they living modestly enough or doing enough for sustainability? This stress is compounded by the public display of others on social media, where the relentless posting of “humble” accomplishments can be a false sense of humility.

Whereas modest living is extolled for ridding one of the pressures of consumerism, competition within the realm ironically creates the same sense of stress and discontent it was designed to avoid.

Conclusion: Embracing Simplicity, Without the Competition

Modest living has grown from a personal lifestyle choice to a competitive arena, and people are fighting for the most “modestly successful.” Still, in trying to simplify lives, we forget the essential nature of modesty: contentment with less and without external validation. It should be simple to bring satisfaction to the self and for environmental sustainability and not a race to some new social status. In navigating this competitive nature of modern living, we should do all possible to make sure modest living becomes the way to peace of mind rather than another thing to compare and compete.

For more reporting like this, please follow Newsdecensored on your favorite social media sites and bookmark the website. Thank you for your interest and support.