“Materialism and all its miseries can never be conquered by materialism”- Swami Vivekananda
In today’s world, materialism and consumerism have become dominant forces. The constant desire of buying more stuff often leads to overconsumption. Research shows that the more people focus on buying things, the less happy they tend to be. This behavior is also linked to harmful environmental actions and less positive social behavior.
This reminds me of a story, “The Necklace”. Matilda is a lady who dreams of having a luxurious life but is unhappy with her modest lifestyle. Her husband gets them an invitation to a fancy party, and Matilda borrows an expensive necklace from her friend to look rich. At the party, she feels happy and gets a lot of attention, but later, she realizes she lost the borrowed necklace. To replace it, Matilda and her husband go into deep debt, leading to ten years of hardship. When they finally repay the debt, Matilda tells her friend the truth. But she gets a shock, when her friend tells her that, the necklace she borrowed was fake. The story teaches us about the consequences of false pride and the importance of being content with what we have.
When we shop, our brain releases dopamine, making us want to repeat the behavior. This is why we often feel a desire to acquire more things. Understanding this connection can help us be more mindful about our shopping habits.
Embracing minimalism, on the other hand, encourages a shift towards valuing experiences and relationships over material goods. There is a quote by Jackie French Koller, “There are two ways to be rich: One is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little.”
Ultimately, choosing quality over quantity can lead to a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle.