HOW TO ESCAPE EXCESSIVE CONSUMERISM
I am trying to live minimalist life, simple and happy life. But that doesn’t mean that I do not own stuff. And that does not mean that I do not buy stuff. We have 2 dogs, 4-bed apartment , I read , my boyfriend likes to spend time in garden and care for the house. I might be seeking to live minimalist life, but we are still consumers.
I am working hard on escaping the excessive consumerism. Consumerism becomes excessive, when we begin to consume a lot, more than is needed. Credits allow us to buy things beyond our income-level and that might become really dangerous for out financial situation.
And a lot of people even do not realize, because it became kind of normal and natural.
All this consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, newest technologies, fancy clothes, etc. And it promises us.. What? Happiness? But instead of being happy, we even desire for more and more.
I think it’s time to break this vicious cycle and look the truth in the eyes. We need to realize that excessive consumption is not bringing us happiness and fulfillment . Consuming is necessary , but excessive consumption is not. And we can still live good and enjoy live, by owning less and rejecting excessive consumption.
Try to consider these practical benefits in your life, why to escape excessive consumption.
LESS DEBT
Debt causes us stress and force us to work jobs that we don’t enjoy. Don’t gamble your future on empty promises of the advertisements, because that won’t bring you happiness. Don’t own any credit cards and try to avoid credit card debt. Only purchase things you can afford and you really need. Do not losse yourself and do not let manipulate you.
LESS CARING FOR POSSESSIONS
Imagine the never-ending need to care for things we own. Maintaining, repairing vehicles, replacing, cleaning things. This all drains our time and energy. Our life is drained emotionally and physically too, in most cases by care of the stuff that we do not need or don’t enjoy. Don’t you think we are better off owning less?
LESS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Our planet used to produce enough resources to fulfill our needs, but it does not produce enough to meet all our needs. The fact is that consuming more resources that earth can replenish is sick. especially then, when it’s completely unnecessary.
LESS NEED TO KEEP UP WITH TRENDS
Our culture is built on consumption and spending money. And as a result to this, every year a new fashion line is released, new trends, If we haven’t been consuming and buying so much, it will go back. Try to rethink your next „latest fashion“ purchases.
LESS PRESSURE TO IMPRESS WITH MATERIAL POSSESSIONS
Most of the people purchase things and spend money on good and services just to show the income or wealth. In the past, not every one could do so only limited class. Nowadays, credit allows us all to impress and show what we have (even though it does not really belong to us). But what is the point of showing material possessions?
REALIZATION THAT THE WORLD IS NOT JUST MATERIAL
There is definitely more in life than things and material stuff. True life is found in visible things of life such as love, hope, faith and empathy. Know that there are far more important things in this world than what we own. Do not seek happiness in the wrong places.
Escaping excessive consumerism is not easy. If it would be , we would do it more often. But I think it’s worth fighting, because it robs us of life much more than we might realize. True life must be found somewhere else.