From Consumerism to Minimalism - A journey (part 1)
Few days back I was discussing
cars with a friend of mine, and I happened to mention the kind of car I would
like to buy. My friend seemed surprised with my choice, and tried to persuade
me to upgrade in my choice of car. I had mentioned that since I am living
alone, I would prefer a small car, something like a Santro, or maybe Alto. I
don’t see the point in buying anything bigger, regardless of the cost. At the
same time, I was not in favor of Nano, as I felt it was too small and under
powered for my needs. My friend kept asking me to enjoy the money I make and
buy a more expensive car.
This discussion made me think
about a session I had attended at IIM L somewhere close to beginning of my
first year. A prominent speaker (I forget his name at this point) was visiting
to take a session. During this session, the speaker mentioned something to the
effect that it is wrong for the rich to indulge in luxuries like extended
swimming pool, palatial homes etc. At this point my buddy and I objected. We
were after all, bright eyed MBA students, much looking forward to jobs with fat
pay checks that we expected to fall into our laps when we passed out.
At some level we felt the right
to enjoy the salary that we expected to come, and the fortune that we hoped to
make. We thus asked the speaker how could it be wrong if the person has worked
long and hard to earn this wealth. How can it be wrong for someone to enjoy the
fruits of his labor?
I don’t remember the response
given by the speaker, though I do remember it had not satisfied me. Three years
later, I find myself advocating, and indulging in practices which are
uncomfortably similar to what the speaker had mentioned. From being a believer
of consumerism, I am now more of a minimalist and utilitarian. I realized my thought
process has undergone complete transformation in three years since I attended
that session. I was surprised to realize this, and was happy too, as I felt
that my thought process has changed for the better, and not for the worse.
I will get into details of what
brought about this change in my thought process in my subsequent post(s). At
the moment, I would like to hear from you – what changes do you find in your
thought process over the last few years esp. regarding enjoying materialistic
pleasures that this world has to offer.
Comments
I dunno how to put it - but if I was in the same session as you were 3 years ago, we could have had a pretty decent fight, as when I was in college, I was completely against consumerism (mostly because it was preached by the USA a lot)
Three years down the line, things are completely different for me. I am in a Govt. job, which pays me just enough to make ends meet. I want to enjoy the pleasures, and I do most of the times - I visit pubs/restaurants that are beyond my means, I go home every 3 months by air, I am never hesitant to use my credit card at all.
I entered IIM-L hoping to set an example through my life, of how one can earn a lot and yet maintain a simple lifestyle that would cater life's pleasures in measurable quantities, but now, the lack of such chances have intensified the desire in me to earn more and spend even more.
But I am glad that you are on the right path. Hope you set an example through your life :)
so evryone shud try to bcom minimalist...........