I am a strong supporter of the idea of consumers taking ownership of what they own and possess. The ease with which things are available in physical stores and their online counterparts and the number of things that is available, is mind-numbing. But here is the thing: as a consumer, the quicker and easier you get something for your own, the less you value it and the less it means to you. The idea of putting thought and time into something adds infinite value to it that also lasts longer.
We have accepted absurd notions such as 'consumer is king' or advertising is able to woo us about things we may or may not need or retail therapy or shopaholics. Quantity and consumerism is not the answer to anything and is ABSOLUTELY a farce. Here are a few counter thoughts to these notions:
1. The things you own and the things you consume are a reflection of you
If you are another piece in the crowd, if you sport hair the way everybody 'in fashion' does, if you buy clothes of the latest cut, design, fabric and colour, then you are not paying any attention to your individuality. You are just following a crowd and being just like a lot of other people are. Therefore, it is pointless to buy something because it is available and because it is desired by many. That does not define you. The diversity that will come in your life and the happiness that will accompany a true revelation and a conscious celebration of who you are, through the things you own, will be a very satisfying way to live.
2. Perfection in imperfect hands
I strongly advocate making as many things as you need. If it is a loaf of bread, bake it. If it is an addition to your wardrobe, sew or knit it. If it is a piece of furniture, well build that too! The feeling of creating something is so absolutely fulfilling that you would want to do it all the time. When you make something, you give yourself the opportunity to grow as a person and to improve yourself. Most importantly, you learn about yourself. The things you make will have their flaws. And that, to me, is what makes them so perfect!
3. How was it made?
Of course, a lot of times, you will not be able to make something you want. So when you choose to buy something, do so responsibly. Going to the nearest retail store and purchasing what you need is NOT responsible. Yes it is glossy and excellently displayed, yes it is advertised like crazy till you feel your life is empty without it. But that is just the farce of it. There are important questions to ask, before anything is purchased. Who made it? In what conditions? Why is it priced such? Is the money going into the hands of the greedy corporate figures at the top, or is the money fairly distributed among all members in the production process. What material was used? How has that damaged the environment? To read it here, these may seem questions too big to deal with. After all, all you came to do was spend some money and get some things. But this habit is not really cumbersome and once you adopt it, you will be able to value things so much more. We should all demand of retail companies to advertise how products are made and who all benefit from the process of production and profits when the products are sold.
4. Promote local
We need this desperately. I urge everybody to promote local. Ditch the retail stores, ditch the malls, ditch the brands. Copy their designs and pay local businesses to make the same. Whether it is furniture or clothes or bags, find people around. One of the things that I want to do at some point is compile a directory of local craftspeople and businesses for different neighbourhoods and areas of Dehradun. The directory will include tailors and seamstresses, women and men who knit, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, cooks and other artisans and skilled workers who people can contact for getting stuff made.
So the idea that I am strongly advocating for, is to think about what you need and why, to enjoy the process of procuring it and to find satisfaction in what you own and how it shaped you as a person.
