Orenda

Before you choose to skip, know that, “Let them eat cake” said no capitalist ever. But they did say, ‘recycling’, ‘green-washing’, ‘sustainability’, and most importantly ‘climate change is not caused by man.’

We are mere puppets in this economy.

See why the choices you made were never yours and why changing it is necessary…

If you are still here, Thank you.

It is the most accepted thing that one should live their life as they wish. One should spend their money on what they seem fit. But sometimes it is indeed a problem.

No one is in the right position to direct someone how to live their life. But sometimes one can hardly restrain from making a comment.

CASE 1

The other day I was going through some short videos. A nice way to kill time when a pile of work is staring at you.

Anyway one video was a clothing haul. The number of clothes laid down made me wonder- ‘Is one lifetime enough to wear all these clothes?’ And an announcement to stay tuned for part 2 was made.

And there are people complaining about fast fashion and the duty of the companies and brands in saving the planet.

The highlight is that half of these clothes end up being disliked.

CASE 2

This story too stems from a video. After all we are members of a global village. This was a self-care video (at least that is what it was called). After countless number of serums, masks and creams later, it dawned on me that this too was not normal.

After the self-care part, the viewers saw a shelf. A large number of products adorned the various levels of the shelf. I am not going to lie, the colour-coded bottles did really look aesthetic.

But, come on, I can bet that all these will never be used up. I mean skin care products are not like clothes, they have an expiry date.

Here the highlight is most of these products have the same purpose- the same ingredients in the same percentage.

CASE 3

This is an individual who owns 33 cars. I don’t see the point. Maybe I am missing something.

ANALYSIS

People do have different passions. Some passions seem absurd to the listener although they hold value for the individual. But the problem comes when these passions are led by make-beliefs and not by actual thoughts.

For example: We go to the store to buy something. But, when faced with the dilemma of choosing from hundreds of brands, we struggle to decide. With thousands of packaging options, we leave the store with more than what is necessary.

But the question is ‘How did over-consumption become so normal?’ Especially at a time when one can confidently say that one of the root causes of the problems we face today is over-consumption.

We can argue with ‘Why battle climate change?’ or ‘Live this one life in the best possible way.’

But to them I ask, Is living among constant threats of wildfire, tornadoes and floods the best living?

Contrary to the popular belief that ‘big companies are responsible for all things bad,’ we, the common people, are the real cause.

A basic principle of production is that more demand leads to more supply. For increasing the supply, more goods will have to be produced. So, production increases when demand increases. Quality goods get delivered when there is demand.

A PERSONAL STORY

Over-consumption is something I, myself am guilty of. I used to buy all the things that I thought I needed. And, add to this the magic of online shopping, it became an addiction.

There was a time when I was known for the amount of skin care products I owned (Hence, my strong conviction on case 2). To be honest I am still fighting against impulse buying.

Something that has helped me in this is not buying something when I feel like buying it (that is if not necessary). This helped me to think rationally and decide whether I really needed it or Is there some alternate way.

Also the sense of responsibility to the beings around me and the environment helps one a lot.

MY THOUGHTS

On thinking about it, it becomes clear that it is the marketing tricking us. We are tricked into believing that we need something. When in reality we don’t. We are no longer thinking clearly. All those influencers and media add to the problem.

I never wanted that pair of jeans. But my brain got hijacked. The result: I wore it twice and it is neatly folded and kept in my cupboard.

I never wanted that fourth bottle of moisturizer when the other three were still half full.

You never wanted that third dinner set. Ad told it was stylish and that your guests will marvel at it.

You never wanted that takeout until you saw the pamphlet.

I never had a problem with my nose until someone else told me.

It is just capitalism speaking. More consumption is always good for business you know. The system has made us believe that, our lives are to be lived to impress others. Check that thought because, “life is meant to be an imperfectly perfect mess.”

Live Like Jerome K Jerome said:

When the layman will regain his/her ability to think and choose for themselves, we will be free. True liberty, democracy and equality will all enter our walks of our lives.

CONCLUSION

The problem is that we believe we are in charge of our choices. Wake up to the reality- we are following a system that someone established.

Laymen like you and me hold the key to the future. We are responsible for creating a beautiful world. Battling over-consumption and wasteful living is just the first step.

Think! Let us think and rise up against the absurdity around us. Start by questioning your choices and then the ways.

You are the magic.

Keep Shining.

Be the change.