“I am still a consumer; the consumer world was the world I emerged into, whose air I breathed for a very long time, and its assumptions still dominate my psyche—but maybe a little less each year….There are times when I can feel the spell breaking in my mind….There are times when I can almost feel myself simply being.”
I must confess consumerism has been a struggle most of my life. I easily fall prey to the daily bombardment of marketing, always suggesting I purchase something I don’t need and can’t afford. There, also, has been a long history of buying today with tomorrow’s check. Mix these two together and we have trouble. For the past several years I buy only with money I already have and for things that are needed rather than wanted or enticed with. It’s taken a few years but I feel the spell is also breaking in my mind. So, I relate to his quote.
Happy Father’s Day!
6 Comments
Cedric
I have never been much of a consumer. Not because I haven’t been tempted, like you or anyone, I have wanted plenty of things in my life, both useful and useless, but I truly dislike the act of shopping, more than I could express. At least my pathetic apathy has saved me a lot of money over the years 😉
Cool photo BTW. I like how the dandelion mimics the sunburst as if it has aspirations to reach for the stars perhaps. Hmm, it might be trying to tell something 😉
Monte Stevens
I envy you with not enjoying shopping. I have used it as therapy, when feeling restless and then sometimes regret for an item I didn’t need. I have, however, gotten to the point of not going to the larger stores due to the smell of plastic and rubber, actually turns my stomach.
I also like the starburst and the salsify as parallels. I did not plan it that way but that’s how it was captured.
Mark
I am guilty of the same Monte. Much less so in the past 10 years or so. Some small indulgences here and there, but largely I have a burden of getting rid of junk.
Monte Stevens
I think it’s true for most of us. There will be those small and large indulgences for each of us. I just made a large one this week.
Mark
Oh?? Will you be sharing?
Monte Stevens
On my blog!