Struggling with Materialism.
By onestepahead
@onestepahead (285)
Canada
December 7, 2006 4:35pm CST
I have a hard time struggling with materialism. I get it in my head that I want something that I can not really afford and I just can't let it go. I normally spend most of my time in a warmer climate and this year because of fate I am spending my winter in snowy blizzardy weather. So I need to buy a pair of boots. A pair of boots I will only wear for one season.
What boots do I want? A $150 pair of boots from Baby Phat. They are so great. I really want them. I am obsessed with them. I think about what it will feel like when they arrive at my door. How happy I will be to try them on. How great it will be to wear them out for the first time...
In a practical world I know I should just go to Walmart and pick up a $30 pair of boots that will get me through the winter. Somehow that thought depresses me just a little more than it should.
I wish I didn't feel this way but I do. Having something material should not make me feel so happy and not having it shouldn't make me feel depressed.
1 person likes this
24 responses
@onestepahead (285)
• Canada
7 Dec 06
I guess you have a point...we must make sure the necessities of life are taken care of. Boots will not be that great if I am living on the street and starving, would they...but my feet would be toasty!
@KyleCamelot (49)
• United States
7 Dec 06
Speaking from a Buddhist point of view, the desire itself is what depresses you, and what you must do is simply meditate the desire out of your life. Practically speaking, I've found a good way to get rid of materialistic desire is to try to realize that the things I desire won't actually make me happy. Then, I want them, but I don't desire them, and that actually makes a huge difference to both my mood, and my ability to resist actually getting unnecessary things.
1 person likes this
@onestepahead (285)
• Canada
7 Dec 06
So do I "desire" the attention and admiration for my sense of style and the boots are merely a vehicle for this attention. So perhaps I should think of a more positive (and less expensive) way of being attractive or at least getting attention.
Too hard.
I just want the boots!
@rubypatson (1840)
• India
8 Dec 06
I dont have that problem, buying a some shoes is not materialism, its okay for you to indulge in some, only dont let it be a that way with everything. Once in a while is okay
@onestepahead (285)
• Canada
9 Dec 06
I think I understand what you are saying...everything is fine as long as it is in moderation.
That is some good advice.
@anne_143god (5387)
• Philippines
8 Dec 06
Maybe you should always convinced your self that it is not actually what you need and try to focus on some other things like playing, surfing the net so your mind wont think those things you want to buy.
@tanzen (1)
• India
8 Dec 06
Dude i guess in my opinion its ok to be materailistic....coz when a loved one is sick u cant pay the hospital bills with the love that u have in ur heart or the good deeds that u've done... u need money bro....and even if after spending the money god forbid the loved ones cannot be saved atleast u have the peace of mind that u tried everything possible and did not think twice becoz of lack of money.....
it completely okkkk to be materialistic.....
@pcbulawanv (680)
• Austria
7 Dec 06
I think its normal for you to be happy with material things. Its just perfectly normal for an human being to be happy to have some things to own. We are human beings therefore we are living in a material world. Because of this reason, humans like us would also want to have a possession of material things. So there is nothing wrong with you. Enjoy your life and be happy of what you have and what you can get. Good luck and have a nic day ahead.
@onestepahead (285)
• Canada
7 Dec 06
You are a bad influence! Just joking. When I am with my friends they say just buy them! When I am with my mom she thinks I am absurd! I will think about it. Think I can make the money on Mylot?! If I don't buy the boots I will probablly end up just fritter it away. It is not like I am going to put it in an investment fund or anything...
@saubryn (14)
•
8 Dec 06
I know the feeling, sometimes I can be materialistic too. I tend to just make sure all the bills are paid, then I'll buy the expensive things if I want them - even if I have to save up tons first. Some people think I'm stupid for paying out a fortune for a brand where something cheaper would 'do' but as long as its your money (and not on a credit card or whatever) then I don't see the problem - it makes you appreciate it more if oyu have to save.
@onestepahead (285)
• Canada
9 Dec 06
I would rather go somewhere nice to eat once at week than eat fast food everyday.
@wynna1 (1291)
•
8 Dec 06
I understand how you feel, sometimes you just cant resist something. Winter time is fast approaching and we just really wanted something that could keep us warm through out the season, like me, i always love a nice big coat and when my hubby and i go for a stroll and saw something that attracts me, im like i want that but when i see the price which is too much for me i'll say never mind, but my hubby would tell me, "if it keeps you warm and you really like it then never mind the price its something that you need and something that you can keep and use it again". Im not saying that you go and get it but i think its something that you really need, makes you happy and would last long then you go for it, maybe you can keep it and wear it again next time you need it. Just think it as a gift for yourself this christmas. ;-)
@courtlynne77 (4839)
• United States
8 Dec 06
I am not usually like that about myself, but I do want really nice things for my kids. I buy almost all of their clothing from Gymboree, even though I know that it is cheaper with the way they go thru things to buy at Walmart or Target. I did really want a ipod for my birthday though. I got lucky and my brother gave me the one he got free with his laptop because he already had one.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
8 Dec 06
I see this bothers you. I see no harm in getting the expensive ones, as long as you can afford it. If it puts you in debt, then there is a problem, and you need to go to Walmart.
@lissaj (532)
• United States
8 Dec 06
I think that if you want the boots and can afford them, then go get them. We all deserve to splurge now and then. Now if you were not able to pay the bills or put food on the table, and buying the boots, I would say you have a problem, but that isn't the case. You are stuck in a cold, snowy place, so get the boots lol.
@ipanks (890)
• Indonesia
8 Dec 06
materialism?hm..its a hard thing that to struggling.it depends inside of us.
@volschenkh (1043)
• South Africa
8 Dec 06
I hate the age of materialism we live in. I have friends who shop for labels and brands just to outcompete the rest. I have long ago decided that I would rather live in a small house, in a middle-class neighbourhood, and no-name appliances and clothing and accesories, as long as I can travel the world, experience the sights and sounds of other cultures and eat great food etc.
Am I crazy?
@spikynimit (62)
• India
8 Dec 06
i guess this is normal human nature......but in ur case u dnt think before spending.....n only after spending u realize dat it was not worth......n the last thing i noticed abt u is dat u have no willpower......so dats y u cant stop thinking on spending ur cash.....
@alchemistrx (2547)
• Philippines
8 Dec 06
Everything in this world is temporary.So if you need to buy boots because you need to go through winter season.I think that $30 pair of boots can last last another season. Just take care of it that it will not easily get damaged.
@milagre (1272)
• Portugal
8 Dec 06
I used to be like that, but i stoped from the day i start to have a family and big finncial responsabilities, and at the end, its just stuff, its not a big deal to have fancy and expansive clothes, it wont change my life just because i have expensive stuff, on the contrary can put me in an unbalance finantial shape.
@slcsindia (116)
• Chennai, India
8 Dec 06
As long as we live in this world, it is necessary, why are you feeling this as materialism? Even now whenever i bought a novel of my favourite writer, i feel as though the whole world comes into my hand, but my son will give advise that why are you wasting money, you can read it from library or lending library. And now with the fast changing of the world the middle aged people are struggling with Materialism.
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
8 Dec 06
I hear you. I used to be more spiritual than I am now, after going through so many disappointments this year I have become more materialistic and keep concentrating more onto petty things and my spiritual side has almost disappeared. Really, the lesson for that is supposed to be the other way around... well one of these days I will get it through my head that in order to handle disappointments is to have a spiritual attitude, not the other way around.. but I am no where near learning that lesson yet so.. I guess I have a lot more disappointments to go through.
@mupegasus (44)
• Malaysia
8 Dec 06
Well, I can say that you have lack of ...."self disciplin"
and "self-controlled"
Try to learn up how to handle this 2, then you will no more struggle!
Hope it helps.
