With the new year, individuals often set goals or resolutions for themselves. The trend of Project Pan 2025 has gained significant traction on social media platforms, and people want it to be part of their New Year resolutions. Project Pan is a challenge that encourages you to finish all the products you already own before purchasing anything new. This project aims to “hit pan”, which means reaching the bottom of the container. The concept of the project is to reduce overconsumption and appreciate what you already own.
What are the main categories typically included in a Project Pan?
- Makeup (foundations, concealers, eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers, lip products, mascara, eyeliners)
- Skincare (moisturizers, serums, oils, face masks, cleansers, toners, spot treatments)
- Haircare (shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, styling products)
- Fragrances (perfumes, colognes, body mists)
- Personal Care (deodorants, body lotions, shaving creams)
People choose these categories in Project Pan because they represent products that tend to accumulate over time and can be harder to finish. Makeup items, skincare, and haircare are often purchased in excess or replaced frequently, leading to unused or forgotten products. Fragrances and personal care items also get overlooked or expire before they’re fully used. By focusing on these categories, participants aim to reduce waste, make better use of what they already own, and break the cycle of constant consumption, leading to more sustainable beauty and self-care habits.
In addition to the categories listed, many participants identified one more area where Project Pan could be applied: clothing. Adding clothes to Project Pan simply helps expand your mindful consumption into your wardrobe space. Senior Eric Bisignani says, “I like to have options when choosing what I’m going to wear in terms of cologne and clothing. For this reason, I may buy a new cologne or sneaker before my old one is used up or worn out.”
Instead of buying new pieces of apparel, participants wear items they already have, styling these particular ones to be better integrated into usage rotation or used creatively. This can be in the form of promising to wear certain items a set number of times before buying anything new or choosing a few “key” pieces that need to be worn or rotated regularly. It can also include mending or altering clothes to give them new life or update their fit, rather than discarding them. This idea helps to lower the urge for fast fashion purchases. The consumer utilizes more intentional choices about the clothes that one already owns. This fosters sustainability in fashion by cutting down on textile waste and encourages better purchasing decisions.
Influences
Social media is one of the leading causes of overconsumption because it constantly bombards users with advertisements, influencer promotions, and trends that make viewers feel like they need something rather than just wanting it. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube put people in an environment where they are exposed to new products and ways of living every day, which often leads to impulsive purchases. Influencers, in particular, manage to advertise a constant stream of beauty products, gadgets, fashion items, and home goods as if one is incomplete without having the latest or most popular items in order to receive social validation or to be personally successful. Focusing on perfect, idealized lifestyles makes people feel dissatisfied with what they have, leading them to buy more.
These purchases might not even be ideal or things the buyer wants, more of just what is trending. Senior Sophia Bulava states, “For example, people decorate Stanley’s with things they don’t necessarily need like chapstick holders, chains, bags, etc.”
Algorithms, playing on highly engaging content, further amplify this vicious circle of consumption. The algorithms make one find it even harder to get themselves out of this constant bombardment of marketing messages and product suggestions. It doesn’t just normalize overconsumption on social media; it encourages it, leading to both financial and environmental costs.
Benefits of Participating
By participating in Project Pan, people will be aware of impulsive buying and invest money they would have spent on new products for higher purposes. The money freed up can be used in building an emergency fund, for vacationing, investing in long-term goals, or even in donating to any cause they believe in. “Participating will definitely help me save money which would go into investments for my future such as stocks,” Eric explains. As participants are using up what they already own, they become more aware of what little they actually need to buy; this action significantly reduces impulse purchases. This not only helps save money but encourages a more mindful approach to spending and makes room for financial security and investments that truly add value to their lives.
Project Pan promotes mindful consumption by encouraging people to use up what they already own, whether it’s beauty products, skincare, or clothing. By reducing unnecessary purchases, participants save money and can redirect it toward more meaningful goals. Project Pan creates mindfulness, self-discipline, and a stronger sense of independence, helping us resist trends and focus on what truly works for us to stop the rise in overconsumption.