~gratitude vs. consumerism~

~gratitude vs. consumerism~

I’ve begun pondering this idea quite recently. I think it deserves some digging into. I think it’s a good idea, so there is intrinsic value in pursuing it further. I am very bad with consumerism, and my default is usually to ‘buy.’ But I am starting to think we should take a different approach, in an effort to ‘take action,’ if we have the ability to make such a decision and change course in such a way.

Gratitude seems to be the first idea that comes to my mind as a way to resist the consumerism culture. Use what we have. Rely on what we have. Be grateful for what we have. Be mindful for what we have, and begin to practice being ‘ok’ with not upgrading or adding to our setups or outfits.

I think that this is important right now, within our present cultural situation. Namely, the idea of ‘accelerationism’ is disconcerting to me. It is haphazard, irresponsible, and a dangerous direction for us to be heading. It discounts consequences, and disregards the welfare and wellbeing of fellow beings, humans and animals and plants, everything. Anyway.

I think as a low-lying individual in this hierarchical system, our most powerful action we can take on a per-person basis is to lesson our individual consumeristic impact, for now. Like, for the time being, at this point in the game. I think this is important. And God knows, I don’t think this is an easy thing, or a small thing I am asking/presenting to you, in this post. But it is what it is, and I feel that it is important that I share this.

The capitalism, the consumeristic culture drives everything. Drives the money/debt machine. In the nature of the issue I present in this post, it drives the ‘accelerationism,’ being to drive our civilization full speed ahead no matter the damage entailed, believing that we will make it to some utopia before we destroy ourselves. But if accelerationism gets us to a point where the top 10% gets to a utopia, and the rest of us our ‘shit outta luck,’ I am not so sure ‘they’d’ really mind. “am I wrong?” I’m just not really sure at this point.

So I think, for today’s post, I am wishing to implore you, the readers, to join my attempt at slowing down on the consumerism. And I am offering you a tool of ‘grattitude’ for what you have, to hopefully make such an effort a little bit easier.

That’s all.

Let’s keep that ~peace alive

-db