somuchforthat Posted September 22, 2010 Posted September 22, 2010 While in college i had a crappy car, no TV, no stereo system, no cable TV either just internet... i had a okay place to stay. I was very happy back then and i didnt have a materialistc mind really. I didnt want a new car or a fancy tv or anything like that... then i graduated and moved an my parents got me a new car.. about two years ago ( my old one pretty much almost killed me, the streering wheel randomly locked up). Of course we are keeping this car until its dead so for about ten years or so.... My parents tend to by cars new and keep them until they die ( we dont buy it and get a new one three years later) But since i graduated i have a even nicer place to say and i am in a big city ( my school was in a small town) and i have a nice tv and a awesome sound system i have been buying all this high end stuff and i am becoming materialistic! I HATE IT! i want to go back and run with the cows or something..... Now i see all fancy stuff and my mind is kinda fixated on it . I was MUCH happier back in school than now...in fact i would give it all back just to go back to those days. I was so happy back then! How do i go about not being so materialistic and not gawking over these things...i just want simple! i hope that made some sense
laRubiaBonita Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 one way to start is NOT to mention what you didn't have- and what you do have now. why not go without cable and all that techno stuff for a month- see if you can. read more, do you converse with random people? smile, say have a nice day. really- i think it's those little BIG things.
skydiveaddict Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 you are on your own, making more money, so you can afford nicer things. Enjoy it.
xpaperxcutx Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 I think you should be happy with what you have. Considering you actually live in a developed country compared to those who can hardly make more than $3 a day let alone a month in other countries. If you're feeling conscious about living the " good life" then join goodwill or unicef and start donating.
The-Zen-Warrior Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 somuchforthat : You said and I quote: How do i go about not being so materialistic and not gawking over these things? Answer :Willpower Have you stopped long enough, to sit down with yourself and ask "how did I become so materialistic"? Have you stopped and asked yourself this question.."what void am I trying to fill by buying stuff"? Have you stopped to ask yourself........"when is enough stuff, going to be enough stuff"? My advise, "keep it simple"! When at a store "gawking" at an item, think to yourself......."do I really need this or do I just want it"? Breakdown Food = Need Toilet paper = Need Tooth brush = Need Cloths = Need, in moderation Shoes = Need, in moderation Water = Need Shampoo = Need Body wash = Need ============================= $2000 car stereo = Want $1500 46 inch LCD tv = Want $2000 new computer system = Want $1000 new custom "bling-bling" rims for your car = Want T-Bones steaks ever night of the week = Want New trendy compact disk, everyones playing it = Want New BlueRay player to replace old DVD player = Want See where I'm going here? If you think in term of my list, you will know how to better deal with your "Material Girl" ism. You will be fine, just slow things down, have some conversations with yourself, try to use "truth" and "logic" while talking to yourself and you should be fine......
laRubiaBonita Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 well you really do not NEED shampoo/ conditioner or body wash/ soap or soap. water yes. food, yes. fire, yes. the rest is luxury and convenience.
Author somuchforthat Posted September 23, 2010 Author Posted September 23, 2010 i came from a counrty where to get drinking water one had to go to a well. In order to cook food once had to have a fireplace and have sticks to fuel the fire. Where kids didn't have any food and were parents and grandparents farmed for a living..with animals and not modern day tractors. Where clothes were washed by a river.... Not one day does by where i don't consider these fortunate things that i have. But it does not help me with my current problem. I owe my parents everything for their hard work and even to this day i am impressed and very proud for all their hard work and accomplishments! Im not sure how i started to fancy all the high end things in life...while in school i was simple ( didnt have a laptop, just used the desktop i built with my own hands). Now its bugging me......
Author somuchforthat Posted September 23, 2010 Author Posted September 23, 2010 The-Zen-Warrior all the stuff i have bought i do NOT need..they are merely luxury....
Cee Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 One way to simplify is to share. Share your car- carpool, give rides. Donate old technology to an education program. Recycle used electronics. Open your home to visiting guests. Cook a family style meal. Or help out at a soup kitchen. I think through sharing the wealth, we enlarge our hearts.
laRubiaBonita Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 me too- SMFT....... and i am sooo totally grateful for what i have- and it's great! donate some time, do something constructive!
Author somuchforthat Posted September 23, 2010 Author Posted September 23, 2010 when i heard the saying money cant buy happiness...i was like bs yea it can. But once i was in school i was happy with what i had. I didnt have the nice stuff but i had the best friends around and that's all i ever needed! I realized that there is some truth to that saying! Too bad they all moved to different cities for different reasons..some are still around lol
TouchedByViolet Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 when i heard the saying money cant buy happiness...i was like bs yea it can. But once i was in school i was happy with what i had. I didnt have the nice stuff but i had the best friends around and that's all i ever needed! I realized that there is some truth to that saying! Too bad they all moved to different cities for different reasons..some are still around lol So the source of your unhappiness begins to show! Spend time doing activities you enjoy that will allow you to make new connections and meet people. You sound like a great person, I'm sure you can find some equally good new friends. Money can't buy happiness but it can buy plenty of distractions
Author somuchforthat Posted September 23, 2010 Author Posted September 23, 2010 So the source of your unhappiness begins to show! Spend time doing activities you enjoy that will allow you to make new connections and meet people. You sound like a great person, I'm sure you can find some equally good new friends. Money can't buy happiness but it can buy plenty of distractions yea i do hang out w the few that are around but the ones that i really clicked w are elsewhere. They were really bright people and down to earth and i truly believe that the people you hang around influence how you feel about things and how much you are willing to push yourself!
The-Zen-Warrior Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 well you really do not NEED shampoo/ conditioner or body wash/ soap or soap. Fine, that's alright by me! So you don't need shampoo, body wash or soap, that's great................but do me the favor, if we were ever to meet, please stand "down wind from me, for if you don't bathe properly I could just imagine the smell..................just playing, I see what you mean, some validity to it!
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