CONSUMERISM - BIRTH OF UNSOLICITED NEEDS

Neon signs flashing "SALE" , 

big billboards bawling out the cry for help, 

help to increase their net worth of course, 

this subtle voice calling you to the devious realm of wanting, 

wanting more than necessary, 

wanting what you don't need.

We can't help but be drawn to the calling of this voice, consumerism it forms the very basis of our existence we need goods for survival, feasibility to do everyday tasks we can’t escape it because we are tied to it but sometimes we don't see the dichotomy between needing it or wanting it and wanting it for all wrong reasons, we are constantly spammed with unsolicited emails about the latest sales and new product launches. 

Television advertisements persistently telling us why their product is better than the other one on the shelf, consumerism not only makes us spend mindlessly but also play with our psyche claiming to be the best in its niche having no environmental or human degrading qualities but we are well aware of the massive toll it takes both on the human health and the planet. 

 An invitation into losing something in order to gain what you don't want

                               

How does consumerism affect us ? 

Makes you financially poorer  

No matter how much you earn you still end up owning a little less compared to what you had before purchasing the product or service, you don't gain something that you'd call as an asset rather it turns into a product which is not used up to its full potential and later turns into a liability.

Makes you think life will be easier with it 

Take a smart watch for instance, the company would like you to believe that owning one of these will not only make you cooler but also makes receiving calls, assessing messages a lot easier and of course you need to be updated with your heart rate every 30 minutes. 

Naturally you have your very trusted smart phone to do just all of that for you, ironically the watch just creates more unnecessary tasks for you to do : constantly charging it, make sure it is safe along with your phone carrying too many technological devices just means more hassle and obstruction in doing things of greater value. 

Creates a dependency 

In relation with the above instance in this age where we are in every way tied with technology constantly being able to access it in the form of a smartwatch just shows that we are so desperately seeking to always be in touch with technology constantly being glued to our phone wasn't enough so we adopt a new medium to fuel our social media addiction 

Does not let you respect goods

Often we see people saying that, "never mind, I'll get another one of these" if something is damaged, broken or lost because of carelessness, negligence or irresponsibility. It is so easily available in the stores to get a replacement of everything that we do not value the possessions we have simply because they are readily available in the markets.

Creates clutter takes space 

Objects that are just lying in your house take not only up physical space but also mental space when you are constantly encountering these items all around you having no proper place or purpose you felt anxious about the space you are living in it bothers in your everyday functioning, makes your mental vision blocked and creates unwanted stress. 

Makes you materialistic 

We become more and more dependent on material goods for our happiness, thinking that physical material items will make you happy and give you joy, but this is just momentarily, we place high value on objects than people or relationships; we have become overtly selfish and started becoming less of people’s person and more of materials person. 

Knowing the vitals signs to avoid  - SALES

They are tricking you into liking a product not because you think the product serves you a purpose or because you like the aesthetics or because the clothing suits your body contours but because it is on sale because you are just paying 40% of the original price you feel it is enticing and how could someone let the 2 on 3 deal escape you are buying multiples of it because you think you are profiting, in reality the store would never sell you something for "CHEAP" unless they are up for bankruptcy. 

That black dress looks exactly like the one laying in your wardrobe, yet you reach out for it and unconsciously go to the cashing register and pay for the same thing you already possess not that the one you have is worn out, in reality you haven't even worn it more than thrice, but because this one right in front of you has pretty lace over the hem, it is without the outrageous scallop neckline that just doesn't work for your profession or your style; you try to justify your this purchase, giving all the reasons it makes sense to invest your money. BUT how do you justify your previous little black dress purchase by calling it an act of the past, calling it your mindlessness? or any other excuse out of the 324 excuses that you have ready to shoot in defense to your hoarding issue.

Where does it come from ?

I do get where this want of wanting originates, it can have multiple reasons, sometimes it stems from the need to fill that void that emptiness that impairs you to feel the blissful feeling of fulfilment and maybe that outrageous florescent green vinyl, does not serve you any use but makes you momentarily feel like it adds something to your life. But unfortunately this addition is rather a template, one which usually wears out after the third time you have worn it.

What helps is being mindful of your purchases, not spontaneous or impulsive, rather consciously trying to ask yourself questions like do you really need it? Does it improve your life and add something meaningful? Try waiting it out for a few months, maybe 3 just to actually assess that whether you wanted it in the spur of the moment or intentionally. 

What consumerism really is, at its worst, is getting people to buy things that don't actually improve their lives. - Jeff Bezos