can you hate consumerism and love stuff?
I hate consumerism. 😠 I do. I hate that we buy stuff because we think it will make us happy. I hate that we buy stuff to keep up with others. I hate that we buy stuff just because we think we SHOULD have it. I hate that this stuff (and the entire industry that supports our the stuff cycle) creates garbage everywhere and hurts our earth. Most of all, I hate that it's needless.
Phew. 😅 Sorta nice to get that off my chest.
You'd think then that I hate stuff, right?
Truthfully, I want to.
But I find that I don't. I like stuff. 🤔
Like, a lot (in some cases). I have a not insignificant collection of comic books (there's even six series of French comic books 😬😅). I have a massive collection of warhammer miniatures. My wife and I have 5 bikes between us. I like purchasing new clothes.
So I still buy stuff. In fact, I like buying stuff.
After all, money has no intrinsic value. Its value is in what it buys you. Whether that's stuff you're buying, or whether it's food or experiences, or whether you're saving or investing it (which I view as buying yourself security and stability).
So .... how does that make sense? How can I hate consumerism and still like stuff?
Truthfully, I don't know yet.
I think it's tied into the my appreciation of the ENTIRE equation. Zoom out and look at your purchase. What are you buying? What value does it (actually) provide you? What is the cost of what you are buying? Not just the money, but what did it cost you to earn that money? And what's the systemic environmental and societal costs of buying what you're buying. If the equation still makes sense after you zoom out and look at it, go ahead!
AND ... and this is a big 'and', ... I think that your relationship with stuff is tied closely with your happiness.
I think that those who are able to zoom out and assess why they're buying what they're buying, and then spend money in places that will move the needle for them, well those people are generally happier. And those of us who buy stuff because they think it'll make them happy. Well, those people are less happy.
I remember listening to the minimalists (the guys at https://www.theminimalists.com/) talking about how minimalists still have stuff. They've just assessed each of their things and decided to keep it. Sort of like what you're left with after you "marie kondo" your things, though that's a discussion for another day.
What about you? Do you have any debates where you seem to find yourself on both sides of the debate and you're not quite sure how to reconcile it yet?
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