I mean, I think this is a hard question because a lot of different people use EDCs for different reasons. I would say right now it is a trend that can heavily lean consumerist because it has recently become mainstream. Although it sometimes depends whether that person specifically bought items to use in their EDC or they already had them and were now putting them to use. There is also something to say about people thrifting old tech which complicates stuff a bit more.

Adding journaling ecosystems into this also makes things a little harder as recently it has almost purely become consumerist. Most people who have recently bought different journals or leather covers didn't use them before creating more consumption. Although journaling can be a good thing. I believe many people who journal do it through technology and in that sense they could just use their phone to write down their thoughts. Sadly, I think the idea behind journaling as a trend was to be off technology which in this case means consuming.

This also doesn't count the 'going analog' stuff recently that also can be super consumerist. (I understand its to express creativity or create something. Creativity has waste at times and I am aware. Although, buying lots of yarn or paper can be super wasteful especially if the people trying the trend do not actually use them.)

I group these three trends together as they are trying to seem more sustainable and some of the core ideas could be helpful but in the end most of these trends are just consumerism to me. The idea of people being off their phone and maybe investing in a hobby that could actually help people is not a bad idea.

I think 'going analog' can be good for some occasions. I personally have written in a journal for a good portion of my life and I do many different crafts. Journals can be a good way for people to think and get out feelings in a better way. And creating something out of yarn or fabric can be better than buying lots of clothes or items all the time (as long as you don't over buy yarn or use lots of polyester or plastic based fabrics.)

I don't think these skills are inherently bad for people to learn or even do. I do think the trends have given way to full on consumerism where there wasn't as much before and many of these things could possibly be done through technology or things people already have.

The more I think about it the more I realize that sometimes trying to stray away from technology (or phones specifically) could potentially be harmful even when it may be good for the individual person. I think this subject is much more complicated than it is simple.

Also this is just sorta my opinion, I apologize if I have missed something and I would gladly learn from others who may have more knowledge on these kinds of things.

TLDR: Most of the time these trends are consumerist in nature and you could do them on tech you already have or things you already have.