It’s been 65 days since I’ve abstained from consumer goods.
Allowing myself only food and experiences. Marketing campaigns have no effect on me: Get 50% off. Buy two, get one free. Win a voucher, shopping spree, a spa, or a trip of a lifetime…. Go here. Click here. It’ll look great on me! What easy way to pay!
The space between the stimulus (marketing campaign) and reaction (buying stuff) has become infinite. I’m no longer tempted to get a deal. No need to wonder around inside the mall.
I’m in between houses. I get a glimpse of how it feels to be “homeless”. Despite the tremendous generosity and kindness from friends, I can’t help but feel a bit displaced. (I know… such a first-world problem)
But I try to extrapolate my current experience by a factor of 10,000. How tough (understatement, I know) it would be to live out of one small backpack, children in tow. No places to put occasional use items like nail clippers.
How blessed am I to have a roof over my head. A vehicle to carry me. Friends to lend me helping hands. Family members to connect me to the past and the present. A sound mind. Healthy body.