Human rights activist and former actress Somy Ali has shared her candid views on modern consumer culture, calling it a cycle driven by comparison, insecurity, and relentless marketing rather than genuine need or fulfillment.

When asked if society pushes people to buy more than necessary, Somy responded, “Yes, absolutely. We’re living in a world that constantly tells us, ‘You will be happier once you buy this.’ But happiness doesn’t come wrapped in packaging.” She reflected on her own journey in the modeling industry, saying, “I say this as someone who has been a model since the age of five. I’ve modeled everything from soaps and detergents to high fashion on runways. I understand that sometimes we buy things because they genuinely make us happy. A dress that makes you feel beautiful, a fragrance that reminds you of a distant memory, or an item that symbolizes your hard earned accomplishment. And there is nothing wrong with that, as long as the purchase comes from joy, not pressure, comparison, or emptiness.”

Somy believes social media has dramatically reshaped spending habits. “Social media has turned shopping into emotional reflex. It has blurred the line between aspiration and insecurity. Every scroll shows you someone who looks like they have more, do more, travel more. It pushes people especially young women to spend from a place of inadequacy instead of genuine desire. And that is where the danger lies.”
Discussing the emotional toll of consumerism, she added, “Excessive consumerism slowly erodes self worth. You begin to believe you are what you own instead of who you are, what you feel, or what you contribute to the world. You chase happiness in the next purchase, but it slips away as quickly as the last one.” Having worked closely with survivors through No More Tears, she said their experiences have reshaped her understanding of value. “After rescuing thousands of survivors who often own nothing but the clothes on their back, it reminds me how little material things actually matter when your soul is safe, and your dignity is intact.”
On how individuals can distinguish genuine needs from temporary wants, Somy suggests self-reflection. “Pause and ask yourself: Is this something I genuinely need? Or is this something I’m buying to soothe an emotion? Will this make me feel fulfilled in the long run, or just for a moment? Am I buying this for me or for validation? If the item truly brings you happiness, symbolizes growth, or feels like a reward for your hard work buy it with pride. But if it comes from comparison, pressure, or insecurity, your heart already knows the answer.”

Somy also expressed concern about the environmental costs of unchecked consumption. “The earth is paying the price for our compulsive consumption. It shows up in polluted oceans, landfills overflowing with fast fashion, and climate disasters that displace entire communities, communities where trafficking thrives. So yes, consumerism affects everything, including human exploitation.”

When asked if minimalism can realistically counter consumer culture, her answer was measured. “Minimalism isn’t about deprivation, it’s about intention. It’s about keeping what adds meaning, beauty, joy, or usefulness to your life and letting go of what drains you emotionally, financially, or spiritually. We don’t need everyone to be minimalistic. We need people to be mindful.”

Somy also highlighted the importance of empowering the next generation with knowledge. “We must teach young people the psychology of marketing, how companies profit from their insecurities, the long term cost of debt, the impact consumption has on the planet, and the importance of self worth that isn’t tied to products. If we educate them on emotional intelligence and financial literacy together, they will naturally become conscious consumers who buy with awareness not pressure.”