Is it possible to not get consumed by consumerism ?

sxt

Is it possible when it is so ingrained in society?Has anyone had any success in doing so?

Do you secretly wish that you accidentally dropped your phone and smashed it to bits so you can buy a newer model? Do you buy stuff in lid or Aldi that you know you more than likely will never use, because it feels good in that moment ?

WoollyRedHat

My phone has been dead for almost two weeks now and it's been bliss.

I think people are obsessed over the material yes, but has that not always been the case? There is an overriding psyological desire for impulse buying to fit in or indeed to get a temporary surge of happiness. Short term gain by waving the magic wand that is your debit/credit card. Probably what is more alarming is kids having to have the latest gadget, often costing hundreds and hundreds of euros and thinking this is the norm. I remember when I did get something relatively expensive it was a christmas gift and it was much better because it was special and to be valued.

Moreover beyond consumerism, we are now in a new era where it is the very idea of being consumed as you suggest that is now at the hub of our existence. People can no longer live in the here and now for they are absorbed in a screen, buying the latest thing or at the very least being seen to be living in some kind of lavishness.

The idea of living a humble life away from consumerism is a noble one, at least on the surface.

mzungu

Consumerism is pretty hard to escape, unless you are out somewhere rural in the developing world. Even at that, you will still find Coca Cola as the tipple of choice. But on a grander scale, anybody living in the first world is a part of it, whether that be clothes choices, gadgets, music, sport etc. It just depends on how much you buy into it (pardon the pun). Some will be full on devotees, others not so much.

Yeah, it's mixed for me too. My phone is an old Nokia, not a smartphone, I like food markets, and not the SoCoDu Happy Pear crap but real ones. On the other hand, clothes, household goods, I wouldn't buy them in a market.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Electric Sheep

Fill your life and time with activities you enjoy and people whose company you enjoy. You won't feel the need to fill the emptiness with shopping.

B.A._Baracus

It's hard alright.
Always be something you want. Even if you don't really need it.

the purple tin

For sure, it's tied to capitalism. There are even staff hired on hollywood films to do product placement nowadays.

uch

Have you an Advert I can look at to explain this

Mr. teddywinkles

Great quote in the film fight club. "The things you own end up owning you". Class I think.