We are a consumer riddled society. We have to have brand named products, the biggest and the best. We are not satisfied with just ordinary headphones, they have to be Bluetooth and the most expensive because they must be the best. When you think about it paying more than $300 for a set of headphones is madness! On their own they do nothing because you still have to pay for something to generate the music.
It begs the question are brand obsessions a substitute for healthy interpersonal relationships?
I personally do not have a huge issue with brands. My way of choosing a product is based upon comfort, look, quality and smell etc. I have seen some of the ugliest outfits for thousands of dollars and then chosen the op shop outfit instead. Don’t get me wrong I do now and again get swept up by the notion and consumerism of it all. My secret obsession is with Bose. The quality of sound is second to none. That may or may not be true as I don’t really leave myself open to other options.
My job now is to shop. I spend most of the daylight hours walking up and down the isles filled with useless gadgets and the latest fashions. Does our upbringing determine how we perceive ‘quality’ or our preferences when shopping? While for some Polo Ralph Lauren conveys stature and for others Adidas. Is anybody really looking that hard and making judgments upon us based upon the label of our clothing or do we wear them for ourselves? It’s this theory that leads me to ask the question above, ‘are brand obsessions a substitute for healthy interpersonal relationships?’.
To feed my addiction I have to in a sense ‘buy into’ the whole thing. Where money usually changes hands I substitute with ‘goods’ instead. I found in the beginning it was a means to an end, get in and get out but now it seems to be an addiction all of its own. I find myself spending longer and longer at a shopping centre rather than getting what I need and then parting with items to ease that broken little girl inside, that festering sore that exists under my ‘Band-aid’ solution which is substance.
Is it the thrill of the game or simply still a means to an end?
Personally I think it is both with the addition of it being an addiction all on its own. It is both unhealthy and in its own way detrimental to our overall health and wellbeing.
Is this the reason I have chosen it as my ‘escapism?’
Why can’t my addiction be towards something productive or bring a positive element to my life? Do these mysterious addictions even exist?
For now it exists and seemingly I am under the radar. Knowing it has to be changed hangs over me. It’s only a matter of time.
When does this new life begin for me and how do I get it started? While knowing where I am situated in this life and the end that needs a means still exists within me.
How hard will life be if it goes hungry instead?
DIARIES FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 