consumption is not a hobby

Summary

Amber Akilla argues that consumption can be enjoyable, but it should not become a substitute for creativity, participation, or a satisfying life. She suggests reviewing how you spend your time, energy, and money, then choosing a balance that fits your values and current stage of life.

She describes four ways of relating to activities:

• Consumer: Spending money to receive something, such as buying clothes, books, or food.
• Creator: Making or generating something, whether or not you’re paid.
• Compensated: Receiving money for your time, skills, or presence.
• Participant: Showing up, learning, or taking part in an activity. This may involve paying, but it isn’t simply about buying an end product.

These categories can overlap, and none is inherently better than another. The goal is to notice whether your mix supports what “being hot and having fun” means to you. For Amber, that includes creativity, learning, novelty, contribution, joy, peace, and contentment.

Tips for a More Intentional Life

• Audit your habits: Notice where your time and energy go. Look for “energy leaks” or areas where you spend more than you feel you get back.
• Start with what you have: You don’t need expensive workout gear to exercise or a high-end camera to create content. Consistency and ideas matter more than costly equipment.
• Try making something yourself: Cook a basic meal, DIY something you wanted to buy, write for yourself, or experiment with another creative activity. Creating can help you understand the effort behind an end product.
• Pair consuming with participating or creating: For example, join a book club if you enjoy reading, or take a class in an activity that interests you.
• Don’t assume hobbies need to become jobs: Being paid for a hobby may not feel fulfilling. It’s fine to keep some creative activities unpaid and earn money elsewhere.
• Be mindful of online attention: Platforms compete for your attention, and online habits can affect your mindset. Set boundaries, make time to be offline, choose who and what you follow, and maintain some separation between your online persona and offline life.
• Stay informed without letting it overwhelm you: Amber says she continues to read and watch material about social and political issues, even when it’s uncomfortable, while considering how that information affects her perspective and work.
• Distinguish different sources of satisfaction: Buying something for convenience or for the identity it represents may feel different from exercising your mind, making something, or participating in an activity. Consider which experiences support your longer-term contentment.
• Choose purchases that support your goals: During a period when she is focused on creating, Amber would rather spend on equipment that supports her work than on unrelated purchases or trips.
• Look at relationships through the same lens: Ask whether you actively invest in friendships and initiate connection, or wait for others to provide it. Consider whether relationships are based on genuine interest or on status and potential benefit.
• Adjust as your priorities change: There is no single ideal ratio of consuming, creating, being compensated, and participating.

Food and Wellbeing

Amber uses food as an analogy for short-term versus long-term choices. She recommends learning to prepare simple, balanced meals and says healthy eating does not require expensive “superfoods” or complicated recipes. She also emphasizes that people have different resources and circumstances, so the right balance will vary. She shares her own preference for prevention and notes that sleep is a challenge for her.

She closes by encouraging viewers to stay aware of their choices, drink water, and tell friends and family they love them.

Notable Details

• Speaker: Amber Akilla
• Examples and products: iPhone, camera, laptop, workout gear, goji berries, and superfood powders
• Platforms mentioned: Instagram, TikTok, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Patreon
• Travel destinations: None specifically named