How is it that we're avoiding the hyper-consumerism that seems to be plaguing current culture? I think about this from time to time. How is it that I don't feel the need to do or buy some of the things that my peers do and have?
Here are my thoughts.
I don't spend a lot of time on social media. I don't watch TV or go to the latest movies. I don't live in a wealthy neighborhood with extravagant Joneses to envy. I'm not into celebrity gossip, or reading People magazine, or watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I guess I'm somewhat checked out from today's celebrity culture. I don't shop at non-food retail establishments very often. In fact, I really don't enjoy window shopping as an activity.
These are all "don'ts."
The answer to my question may have just as much or more to do with my "dos."
I have productive hobbies that don't require much shopping, such as gardening. I buy seeds, a few select plants, fertilizer, slug bait, and potting soil every year. But I only enter the store (Fred Meyer or Home Depot) through the garden part, and avoid the rest of the store unless I'm after something very specific. The majority of time spent gardening is either active in the yard or online reading up on how to address specific problems. My other productive hobbies include baking, cooking meals (I know many don't think that's a hobby, but it sort of is for me), mending (again, many folks think this is a chore -- I kind of like mending), and creatively refurbishing items we already own. I have non-productive hobbies as well, which I think of as entertainment.
I like to make things last as long as possible. I wash plastic bags not only because it will save us some change as we buy less plastic wrap and bags, but also because I like to make those plastic bags last as long as they can. They won't break down in a landfill for many years, so I like to add as few of them to the landfill overall as possible. I like mending my socks not only because I can keep from replacing those socks for a while longer and save some money, but also, it seems wasteful to me to not mend holes and throw away a whole sock because of a couple of holes near the toes. I can sew those up in a couple of minutes and have a perfectly good sock again.
I like to dress modestly and not draw a lot of attention to myself. I'm more of a person who likes to sit back and watch everyone else. I don't want to be watched myself. Flashy jewelry and really trendy fashion seem to draw a lot of attention that I don't want. Modest clothing, jewelry, makeup and hairstyles are "me."
I prefer to feel "smart" about spending. Buying a brand spanking new car right off the lot doesn't seem smart to me. That new car loses a chunk of value the minute you sign the papers. Instead, I prefer to buy good condition used cars. I feel "smart" about that sort of decision. I like feeling smart.
I'm horribly, boringly responsible. Unless it was very necessary, I'd feel irresponsible if I bought a lot of stuff on credit without a way to pay the whole bill off at the end of the month.
I somehow have escaped FOMO, for the most part. I like my life as it is. I don't think the grass will be a shade of green that I like more on the other side of the fence. My life is good. Social media influencers don't have lives or things that I envy.
My dream life is a simple one -- strong faith, a loving family, good home-grown food from a large garden of fruits, vegetables and flowers and maybe chickens, pets to love and care for, peace, warmth, laughter, and sunshine.
This is not to say that I don't want some nice things or experiences. I just don't want them as often or in the abundance that would typify the excessive consumption that we are seeing in the West.
