Is there an encouragement towards consumerism amongst bitcoin users? Like we are not using it for the correct purpose, and that we should be buying things that we don't actually need?

Bitcoin has intrinsic value in that it is a decentralized system of exchange. But it is also a store of value. It contains value in terms of (US$) that is isolated from the most violent system of manipulation: central banks. There is no central authority that can print more of it or raise interest rates because they need to "stimulate the economy". It is what it is. Pure and simple. Maybe people aren't buying and selling with it right now, but that might just be because it's a little bit slow, and not many merchants accept it.