When I allotted the entirety of my middle school graduation money to purchasing an impressive collection of high-grade water bottles, I truly believed it was a worthy investment. While the bottles that occupied my assembly ranged from a blingingly blue 64-ounce behemoth to a simple black 12 oz mug, they all shared the similar branding of their company name: Hydroflask.
While I still believe staying hydrated is incredibly important, as well as doing so in a sustainable manner, I resent the reasoning behind my purchases. I graduated middle school in May of 2019, a time otherwise known as “VSCO Girl Summer.” My motives for wanting a Hydroflask—as well as a plethora of mult-colored scrunshies, a skateboard, and too many string bracelets—was the same as every other little girl: we wanted to fit in.
This act, while it may look harmless on the outside, actually contributes to a consumer culture that is extremely detrimental to the health of our planet, as well as displays the rampant issue that we as a society have with conformity.
Now, if I were able to look back at all of our young, naive selves and say something like, “Oh, we were so silly then. If only we knew what we know now,” I wouldn’t very well be writing this article. Sadly, no. When we were all mature enough to be tested again, a new it-girl moved to town.
Too shortly after Hydro Flask had her moment in the spotlight, an effective, cumbersome 40-ounce Stanley tumbler came around to knock our breath away. Alas, the cycle repeated itself. Not only did this cup begin to appear in everyone’s Christmas wishlists, Amazon carts, and straining arms on the way to class—accessories were even manufactured. Your Stanley can now have a straw topper and its own backpack to carry your mini necessities. Feeling a bit peckish? Well, don’t you worry because there is even a snack plate that can easily attach itself to your Stanley lid.
If this doesn’t sound pointlessly wasteful enough for you, then I truly don’t know what will. Now, I’m not judging (well, not too much). I too have fallen victim to the Stanley hype—I am the not-so-proud owner of a 40-ounce Stanley cup. The same cup that I used for three weeks straight and then promptly forgot about when the next fad came around.
Yes, you heard me right, the new “next big thing” has already arrived! Her name? Owala: a cute tumbler with an up-and-coming straw feature called the “FreeSip.” Tt even makes you look like a Koala when sipping from it! Clearly, we all need 5 in varying abstract colors (please tell me you can detect my obvious sarcasm here)!
To be clear, I’m not saying that if you want to buy a new Owala, even if you have three unused Stanleys and a forgotten about Hydro Flask, that you shouldn’t buy it. I’m just pointing out the fact that we, as a society, need to become more purposeful with our purchases. We also must begin to truly believe that we don’t need to like something because a large group of people do—trends are fleeting, individuality is forever.
That being said, if we happen to bump into each other while walking down a heavily crowded College Ave sidewalk (that is where I most frequently dwell), I’ll look down and glance at your brand-spanking new Owala with appreciation in my gaze. You’ll look down at my five-year-old Hydro Flask and take in all the details (neon blue, tattooed with ETSY stickers, chipping and dented in odd places) with that same appreciative glint in your eye. This is because, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what logo our water bottle is branded with, or if mine is an obstrusive mass and yours a petite 24-ounce tumbler; we’re both hydrated, and that’s all that matters.