The Age of the Influencer, Restock Tok, and Cleaning Tok - Is It Influencing Your Spending Habits?
- Feb 9
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 2
In today’s world of social media, we’re constantly exposed to an endless stream of curated content from influencers, all showcasing the latest products, lifestyle trends, and "must-have" items. From Restock Tok (a.k.a. restocking your pantry or fridge with aesthetically organized items) to Cleaning Tok (where cleaning routines and organization are displayed in high-speed, satisfying clips), these channels have become a central part of our daily feeds. But while they can be inspiring, they can also trigger some not-so-healthy spending habits.
The question is: are they influencing how you spend your hard-earned money? And, more importantly, is it time to take a step back to assess your financial journey and whether these influencers are adding to your consumption?
At The Girl Budgets, we are all about empowering you to take control of your finances, live within your means, and do it with ease and confidence. In this post, we'll talk about how to recognize what “season” you're in when it comes to managing your finances, and how to create space for conscious spending. And if you feel like your social media feeds are pushing you to buy things you don’t actually need, we’ll help you identify whether it’s time to take a break.
Understanding the Seasons of Financial Growth
Before diving into how social media might be affecting your spending habits, let's start by considering the different “seasons” that we experience when working on our finances. Think of these seasons as phases that mark where you are on your financial journey. You can easily identify which season you're in based on your current mindset and spending behavior.
Season 1: The Foundation Phase
In this season, you’re probably in the early stages of your financial journey. You’re learning about budgeting, setting financial goals, and figuring out how to track your income and expenses. This phase is all about building the foundation for your financial future. It’s about understanding the basics and staying disciplined.
Season 2: The Growth Phase
Once you’ve got the hang of budgeting, it's time to start focusing on your financial growth. In this phase, you're likely setting bigger financial goals—like paying off debt, saving for a vacation, or building your emergency fund. You might start feeling more comfortable with money, but it’s important to stay mindful of your spending to keep moving toward your goals.
Season 3: The Maintenance Phase
This is the season where you feel like you’re in control of your finances. You’ve made progress—debt is down, savings are up, and things are generally going well. Your finances are stable, and now you’re focused on maintaining this balance. But it’s also easy to get complacent in this phase, so it’s essential to keep up the habits that got you here.
Season 4: The Abundance Phase
In the abundance phase, you’ve made significant progress. Your savings are solid, your debt is paid off, and you’re living comfortably within your means. This is a time when you might start indulging in some of the “wants” rather than just the “needs.” But even here, maintaining a budget helps ensure you’re spending in a way that aligns with your values.
Are Restock Tok and Cleaning Tok Leading You Into Overspending?
Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube can be great sources of inspiration for organizing, decluttering, and freshening up your space. But they can also make it tempting to buy new products you didn’t even know you needed—or didn’t need at all! It’s easy to get swept up in a viral video showing the latest storage hacks, new cleaning tools, or trendy home decor.
Here’s the thing: these influencers aren’t inherently bad, and I’m not saying you should avoid them completely. Channels like Restock Tok and Cleaning Tok have lots of great ideas for organizing your space, boosting your productivity, and even motivating you to clean. I’ve personally watched some cleaning routines and thought, Wow, that looks so satisfying; I need to do that myself!
But here’s the catch—when you’re watching these influencers, it can trigger the urge to buy, buy, buy. For example, maybe you’ve been feeling content with your current set of pens, but after seeing an influencer show off their colorful, trendy new pen collection, you find yourself craving those exact same pens. You might not need them, but the idea of upgrading your current collection suddenly feels irresistible.
It’s important to be aware of these urges, especially when they make us feel like we need to consume in order to feel fulfilled or satisfied. That’s when a budgeting strategy can help. Having a clear plan allows you to enjoy these little indulgences without guilt. It’s not about saying “no” to fun purchases, but about having the self-discipline to control when and how you buy them.
How to Manage Comparison Anxiety in the Age of Social Media
In today’s world, it’s nearly impossible to avoid comparing ourselves to others, especially when social media is designed to highlight the best parts of everyone’s life. Whether it's that perfectly organized closet or that new kitchen gadget that seems to make everything effortless, it’s easy to feel like we’re falling short. But the truth is, these comparisons can steal our joy and satisfaction, especially when we start measuring our worth or success by someone else’s curated highlight reel.
Here are a few strategies to help you manage comparison anxiety, so you can stay focused on your own financial and personal journey without constantly feeling like you’re “behind” or missing out.
1. Remember That Social Media Is Curated, Not Real Life
The first step in managing comparison anxiety is to remind yourself that what you see on social media is not always a true reflection of someone’s day-to-day life. Influencers and content creators often share the best, most polished versions of their routines, homes, and purchases. They may not show the behind-the-scenes moments of struggle or the messiness that exists in every home. By remembering that what you’re seeing is curated and carefully crafted, you can take a step back and view it more objectively.
2. Celebrate Your Wins, No Matter How Small
Comparison thrives when we focus on what we don’t have or what we think we’re lacking. Instead of comparing yourself to others, try focusing on celebrating your own wins. Did you stick to your budget this week? Celebrate it! Did you declutter your pantry without buying anything new? Give yourself credit for that! By recognizing and celebrating the small victories, you can shift your focus to what’s going well in your life and finance journey—without worrying about how it measures up to anyone else’s.
3. Set Healthy Boundaries with Social Media
Sometimes, the best way to manage comparison anxiety is to set some boundaries. This might mean unfollowing certain influencers or muting content that triggers your desire to buy or compare. It’s not about shutting yourself off from inspiration; it’s about protecting your mental health and avoiding the pressure to keep up. You can still enjoy the content that inspires you without allowing it to make you feel less than or dissatisfied with what you already have. By creating a mindful space for your social media consumption, you can engage with it in a way that’s more positive and less stressful.
4. Practice Gratitude for What You Have
Taking a moment each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for can have a huge impact on your mindset. When we’re constantly looking at what others have, it’s easy to forget about the abundance in our own lives. Gratitude helps shift your focus from what’s missing to what’s already present. Start small—take a few minutes each day to jot down things you're thankful for, whether it’s a cozy home, a fulfilling job, or even just a good cup of coffee. Over time, this habit can help you feel more content with your own life and less susceptible to the comparison game.
5. Practice Self-Compassion and Avoid the “All or Nothing” Mentality
Comparison often leads to harsh self-criticism. When we feel like we’re falling short, it’s easy to spiral into negative thoughts. Instead of being hard on yourself, practice self-compassion. Remind yourself that everyone is at different stages in their lives and finances, and that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. You’re doing your best, and that’s enough. It’s also important to avoid the “all or nothing” mentality—just because you didn’t buy that cute organizer or clean your house like you saw in a video doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Progress is about consistency, not perfection.
6. Curate Your Feed to Reflect Your Values
Finally, take a moment to reflect on the content you’re consuming. Ask yourself if it aligns with your values and goals. If you’re seeing content that encourages overspending, promotes unrealistic beauty standards, or makes you feel inadequate, it’s time to reconsider whether this is adding value to your life. Instead, curate your feed to reflect content that inspires you in ways that are uplifting and aligned with your financial and personal goals. Seek out creators who share budgeting tips, organizational hacks, or self-care practices that resonate with your current season of life.
By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can start to take control of your mental and emotional well-being, while also protecting your finances. Remember, the goal is not to completely block out social media or influencers, but to engage with content in a mindful and intentional way that supports your journey instead of detracting from it.
Taking a Step Back From the Influencers
If you’re finding yourself constantly feeling like you need to buy something to keep up with what you’re seeing online, it might be time to evaluate whether it’s affecting your mental health and finances. You’re allowed to enjoy watching these influencers, but it’s crucial to take a step back and assess whether it’s genuinely serving your needs or encouraging you to overconsume.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine whether you need a break:
Am I buying things I don’t actually need, just because I saw them online?
Am I comparing my lifestyle or home to what I see on social media and feeling like it’s “not enough”?
Do I feel pressured to constantly upgrade or buy new items that others recommend?
Am I feeling overwhelmed by the idea of consuming more, even though my budget is tight?
If you find yourself answering “yes” to any of these, it might be time to take a little social media detox or, at the very least, unfollow influencers that consistently make you feel like you’re missing out or not doing enough.
Mental Health and the Comparison Game
Another thing to keep in mind is how constantly comparing ourselves to what we see online can negatively impact our mental health. When we scroll through posts of perfectly organized homes, designer handbags, or influencer-worthy cleaning routines, it’s easy to feel like we don’t measure up. But remember: what we see online is often curated—not a real reflection of someone’s entire life. Comparing our behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel only robs us of satisfaction in the moment.
It’s important to remind yourself that your life and finances don’t need to look like anyone else’s. Your budget and financial journey are unique to you—and that’s what makes it special. So, instead of falling into the trap of comparison, try to focus on celebrating the wins, no matter how small.
Budgeting Doesn’t Mean No Fun
One of the key points I want to emphasize is that budgeting isn’t about depriving yourself of fun. It’s about controlling your spending so you can enjoy life without guilt or financial stress. For example, I love stationery, and even though I already have pens, I sometimes want a new set of different pens. That doesn’t mean I’m overspending—it means I’ve planned for it. A well-managed budget allows me to have the things I want while ensuring I’m not compromising my financial goals.
So, the next time you see something online that sparks joy, remember: it’s okay to indulge as long as you’re doing it within your budget. You can control your spending and still enjoy those little moments of happiness—guilt-free.
Key Takeaways
Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help determine if you need a break from the world of influencers:
Am I spending money I don’t have just because I saw something I “needed” online?
Do I feel like my life needs to look like what I see on social media?
Am I mentally exhausted from trying to keep up with the trends I see on TikTok or Instagram?
If any of these resonate with you, it might be time for a digital detox. But remember, budgeting isn’t about cutting out fun—it’s about staying in control and living a guilt-free life, even while enjoying those things that bring you joy.
Happy budgeting, friends! You've got this.
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