We live in a consumer society that each day works on new ways to make you buy more. Wherever you go you can see advertisements of so many different products. They are so well made that make you unconsciously want to buy it, although you know that you don’t necessary need it. Shopping is now promoted as something fun and a way to release all of your stress and worries. This view on shopping is harming us and the environment we live in. It’s easy to get lost in the latest products that look good and it seems like a perfectly reasonable idea to own them when in fact you probably want to buy them just because of the way they look and not because you really need them. So then how to resist the urge to shop???
Emotions have a big impact on every aspect of our lives. Giving them too much power can lead into making bad decisions. One of those bad decisions can definitely be an impulsive buying. Making shopping a tool to deal with stress or even joy can bring you a lot more worries in the future. When we are under the influence of strong emotions we tend to not think clear and end up ignoring reason. There is a big difference between shopping because you need to and because you purely want to. Wanting to buy something isn’t necessarily bad if you actually take some time to think about it.
When we want something we usually want it right now and because of a temporal emotion that we feel in that specific moment. Stepping back for a second and really giving it a thought might save you some money but also a bad decision you’ll need to deal with later. Think if you really need that item right this moment and do you see yourself using it in a near future. Be completely honest with yourself and don’t try to make useless excuses. Owning something just for the sake of owning it isn’t really something we should be doing.
GAIN FREEDOM
We are slowly becoming prisoners of material things. We count happiness and capability in items. It’s as if you don’t have the newest model of mobile phone, car or bag you’re not worth it. From a young age we are getting attached to material things and somehow it feels like they are becoming a part of our identity. As human beings we have ability to separate ourselves from what we see. We have the power to choose what our next decision is going to be. Materialism is turning us into slaves of today’s world. Without even noticing we are associating things with feelings and emotions that then pull us down.
Owning more of things doesn’t equals feeling more. If you give it a thought, if owning a lot made you feel good you wouldn’t constantly seek to own more of material things. The things that you really seek for are not the ones you can buy; they are what you feel and what make you feel the most alive. There is a very big difference between buying things because they are a replacement for the things you really need. We just need to realize where that boarder line between healthy and unhealthy buying is.
DON’T CREATE MORE WAIST
We are creating so much waist as it already is, so buying things that you probably won’t wear twice or it will break in a few months really isn’t helping anyone. There are so many new clothes, beauty products and gadgets produced every hour. A lot of those products end up being poor quality because the consumerism took over the world. With the state our planet is in right now we don’t really have that privilege to act irresponsible. There are so many different ways we can still get the things we need but so that we don’t harm the Earth.
Shopping in second hand shops is definitely one the options all of us should use more. There are also a lot of sustainable fashion and beauty brands that care for the quality but also about the well-being of the environment. I’m so happy to see a lot of other influencers talking about this topic and sharing their tips on how to live more sustainable life. It’s really not that hard if you just think about it and incorporate it in your lifestyle. Money gives you the power to choose the right thing to do. Being mindful of how we spend it is so important and praiseworthy.
HOW IT HELPED ME
I know that this is something that takes time and that we are all different. Although I never was a big materialistic person I realized that all the advertisements started to have an influence on my shopping habits. Something that helped me realize that I started to own more than I actually need is minimalism. I’ve been interested in minimalism and its different aspects for a long time now. It helped me get rid of the things that I don’t need and be a more mindful buyer. I try to only buy the things I know I need and that I really thought about. This year I really want to go thrifting more as I love the whole concept behind it.
I never shop as a way to relieve stress as I know that it’ll bring me more stress afterward when I see my bank account and things that I don't like around my home. I would rather put that money into a saving for a future trip or wait a little bit longer to buy something I really need, want and know that I’ll use for a long period of time. The last time I bought a clothing piece was three months ago, it was one piece that I really needed. I’m by no means where I want to be. I know that journey to more sustainable and minimalist life is going to be very hard but I also know that at the end it’s going to be so worth it.
I never shop as a way to relieve stress as I know that it’ll bring me more stress afterward when I see my bank account and things that I don't like around my home. I would rather put that money into a saving for a future trip or wait a little bit longer to buy something I really need, want and know that I’ll use for a long period of time. The last time I bought a clothing piece was three months ago, it was one piece that I really needed. I’m by no means where I want to be. I know that journey to more sustainable and minimalist life is going to be very hard but I also know that at the end it’s going to be so worth it.
Post a Comment