Crap Detox - Part 4 - The Real Reason

This is part 4 of The Ultimate Crap Detox.

Here are parts 1, 2, and 3 for those of you who are interested in freeing yourself from American consumerism.

Today I am going to cover the why of consumerism.  I waited until now to post about this because you really need to be committed and if you’ve made it this long on the detox, you should be able to get through this too.

I am going to be quite direct in this post also. I don’t want to sugar coat it. I really care that this works for you and I want you to get it. 

You’ve Got Issues

The need for stuff, spending and indulgence is a symptom of another underlying issue.  Uprooting the real issues is what makes this a life changing detox and keeps relapsing at bay.

If you’re in debt, have no savings (or both) and don’t live in extreme poverty, face it: you have consumerist issues. You are allowing superficial needs get in the way of your financial, psychological and emotional health.

I know it’s extremely hard to admit. I used to cry regularly about it. Bitter over not having disposable income, over not being able to buy clothes or get my nails done. I was ridiculous and at the time I actually believed my qualms were somewhat merited; as if I deserved these indulgences. It was difficult for me to face myself and say “I am shallow”. 

Deep down we all know it. We just have to dig that up from “deep down” and make it the way we live.

It’s Okay, Everybody Does it

This is not an attack on your value or humanity. It’s a blunt approach to get people seeing that anything you use money to get is not your identity. When you feel upset about having lost something (house, car, shoes, hair, technology) it’s because you equate that item with who you are and you define your value behind it. The loss of something innately trivial becomes a loss of self. It’s important to notice these connections you have with things, and explore the why behind it. A healthy relationship with money and possessions does not involve sadness.

 It’s important to note that if you feel resentful or annoyed by any of this it’s probably an indication that there’s some truth to it. 

Marketing Geniuses

Marketing inherently isn’t a bad thing. It’s what it does to those that are unconscious of it that’s bad. People spend years being trained how to research audiences, analyze and strategize. Marketers spend months, even years to find the best words and images that will get people believing they need something they really don’t. It could take years for a packaged good to be created, manufactured, designed. YEARS. To find out the proper way to get you to BUY it.

It’s psychological warfare and it’s subtler then you’d think. Go make yourself immune to it and stop falling for their manipulative bullshit.

Now What?

It’s not a big deal that this is something to overcome. Who cares this is in you? Now that you’re aware of it, start looking around, you’ll see many carry the same burden. Don’t use that as a way to feel superior, just acknowledge you’re human too.

Start connecting with yourself.

Pay attention to what you’re feeling when your wants come over you:

• Are you stressed, sad, anxious? When you pinpoint the emotion, find the source.
• Are you dealing with the real problem? Don’t cover it up with shoes, concerts or a new cell phone.
• Are your purchases trying to convey a certain lifestyle? Only fake relationships are affected by outward appearances.

There are multiple reasons why people are disillusioned that they need things/events/money to be happy. Go find yours and set yourself free from that crippling cage. 

So tell me, what is/was your real reason? What made it that way? What broke you free?

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Explore posts in the same categories: Change, Money

Tags: American Consumerism, Consumerism, Crap Detox, makeitbetter, Marketing, Materialism, Money, Stuff, Things

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