Are you as sick of materialism as I am?

Question

I am getting very frustrated with people and their matrialistic ways. Life is not about designer labels and expensive sports cars.

I don't have a lot of money at this point in my life. My parents made some pretty stupid financial decisions as I was growing up. I have no one to help me out financially when things get tough. On top of that, I have student loans to pay off. As a result, I won't be living "high on the hog" for quite some time. In the mean time, is it really fair that I should be shunned and ignored because I can't afford all th "finer" things in life? Should I be the one paying for my parents mistakes?

I know, I know, LIFE isn't fair. Well it doesn't make it right.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

Answer 1

Yes!

Answer 2

It seems that you are not reconciled.

That is, it sounds as if you are not sick of materialism but are sick of the fact that you don't have a lot of material. "...paying for my parent's mistakes" and so forth.

But maybe you are through. Maybe you have seen through the false promises this world offers. Perhaps you have grown detached and understand, intimately, that value is not findable in things that many people attach value to.

Perhaps life is uniquely fair. It is possible that your parents made the financial decisions they did so that you could learn what it was like to present yourself as having only your character to offer--and perhaps this is a golden opportunity for you to come to value character more than, like, Xboxes.

Why be bitter, man? If you are shunned and ignored by people based on what you don't own, isn't that a blessing? I am personally grateful when people present their ugliness to me right off the bat, so I don't have to spend time listening to them talk about what they value only to find out later they were lying.

You get to see people for who they are by their not seeing you for who you are.

It is simple logic.

You are probably not the only one who feels the way you do. I have had to "make it on my own," having no trust fund, no filial financial support, and putting myself through college and graduate school with small scholarships, student loans, and waiting tables. I consider it a blessing, though. I have come to know a lot about my character and what I value, and I have come to present myself as exactly who I am--not who you or you or you would like me to be. And if someone judges me based on my lack of material, it is at once clear to me that material is all they really are.

Sucks to be them.

Answer 3

I hate materialism as well. I think people mistake a good quality of life with materialism and that's due to all the marketing out there. You seem pretty secure intellectually and know the difference between a good quality of life (happiness) and materialism (which most likely won't make a person happy in the long run, it'll make them feel empty). As such, hang in there, enjoy life as much as you can and let life comes as it comes. Remember, it's not what you have it's the experiences that you'll encounter that will make you smile in your olde age.

Hang in there, dude, things always get better.

Answer 4

I grew up with money. But, it is my parents' money, not mine. They don't understand why I will not take things from them. To me, it is not worth it if I do not earn it. So, all the spoiled brats out there who have Mom and Dad hand everyting to them, look out for the slap in the face called 'LIFE'!
I have a wonderful home, a car that is not great but, it gets me where I need to be, and two wonderful children who love me very much! I cannot think of another thing I could need more :-)
Yes, it would be nice to be a little more well off but, how many truly happy rich people have you met?
They usually have marriage issues, backstabbers, false friends, etc...
Thank you but, NO!
I will keep my middle income status and remain happy :-)
Those of you who feel you need it, get your priorites straight!
It's only paper...

Answer 5

I am where you are and I don't care what society thinks of me. Trying to keep up with the "Jones'" must be a real burden since everything is so expensive. Just take comfort knowing that this person wouldn't shun you. Having to pay your way means you are in the minority who is responsible.

Answer 6

I understand how you feel! I think a lot of people get themselves into serious financial trouble trying to keep up with it too! I know a girl who had $90,000 in credit card debt, and all she had to show for it was her Dooney and Bourke purses and Chanel lipgloss.

I go beyond my means from time to time, but I will NEVER let my debt exceed my monthly income.

Answer 7

Here is a quote to live by:

"Let your boat of life be light, packed with only what you need -- a homely home and simple pleasure, one or two friends worth the name, someone to love and someone to love you, a cat, a dog, and a pipe or two, enough to eat and enough to wear, and little more than enough to drink; for thirst is a dangerous thing."

Answer 8

No life isn't fair, seems like most of the time.....but hang in there.....you will feel differently hopefully one day....like one of the answers you got........if you don't have materialistic things, none of true your friends won't care.....and yes materialism is over rated for sure....

Answer 9

Without materialism, we wouldnt know whats really important. There wouldnt be any comparison. Usually materialistic people find so much value in those things because they use them to cover up personal issues.

Answer 10

*find joy in the simple things.

those who shun you~ are looking for someone to further their own climb up the rungs of society. You don't need friends like that, nobody does.

and learn from this, when you achieve your goals in life, remain true to yourself.

Answer 11

no youre right and im now only going to own 2 sports car at any one time, 1 boat, 2 houses, 6 plasma TV's and limit myself to buying only 4 pairs of designer jeans and 3 pairs of designer shoes per week....im so over materialism!