Black Friday and consumerism, and the strength to pull away

 Savoring Simple Daily Pleasures

The media and retail have been amping it up weeks before the actual 'event', with marketing that hooks you in, catch phrases the stay with you, and a feeling that you'll miss out if you don't partake. Keep an eye on items on line, watch for price drops, get bombarded with adverts and offers and specials. A little knot of unease and a need to race to get the best deal, the biggest bargain, the highest discount. 

Goodness me. What a frenzy! Little or no mention of Thanksgiving, which in itself I think is a lovely idea for a holiday: to pause, reflect and appreciate and be grateful- THANKFUL- for everything we do have. How terribly sad that over the decades, that sentiment has been so overshadowed by the antithesis of Thanksgiving- a new day all together- a consumerist maelstrom of need, greed and want. 

Here in New Zealand very little time was given to Thanksgiving itself - a day of gratitude for the blessings and harvest of the year- but a giant materialist free for all to encourage and cajole people spend up large, (Right before Christmas!) or fear missing a bargain too good to say no to. 

And don't get me started on Cyber Monday- what!?!

Now, I'm coming very much from both sides of this. I had an unpleasant experience earlier this week where having returned from a beautiful long walk, I was soaking up the sunshine outside while enjoying my late breakfast, and - more fool me- scrolled on my phone. I was intending to find a nice inspirational post from a favorite influencer, but low and behold, a flash sale for a sleepwear company. A company we always purchase pajama sets for both the girls each Christmas. I was thrilled- I had that little consumer buzz, a little tummy turner that I had made a start on the Christmas shopping and with great savings. The moment, the very moment, the transaction was processed, something didn't feel quite right. If its too good to be true it often is......  Suffice to say, I called the store to verify my purchases and, no, it wasn't them. I'd been duped. Scammed. I felt SUCH a fool! I know better! But the desire to get a bargain, to purchase at a discount, to get in quick before the deal was gone- overrode all my common sense. End of the story- no pajamas, credit card cancelled. 

Its taught me - or rather re-taught me, a valuable lesson I thought I already knew. In fact I'd go so far as to say was rather morally superior. I will be much more cautious and considered on any online purchases in future, go via a Bonafide website, and will pause and not rush into an unmissable bargain. 

During one of my many beautiful walks this week in and around my local neighborhood and parklands, I have re thought and re educated myself on this NEED. I am the first to admit I love a little shopping spree, but I much prefer to do it when I have items in mind I'm looking for, an idea of budget, and the time to browse and peruse at leisure. But really, truly, we talk ourselves into needing things. And often one purchase can lead to another if we are not intentional with our purchases- and our purse strings. We feel that one thing will help with- our fitness, our comfort, that dinner date, the evening at the opera-insert whatever scenario you are internally justifying. 

We need to stop making decisions, stop making purchases, stop wasting our hard earned cash, out of a feeling of lack. We are enough.

Then joy and feeling of wellbeing and fulfilment I have enjoyed and experienced this past week (And most of the time really) by observing the wonders of late spring unfold, taking a moment to smell the magnificent roses- those in the garden and those in the pretty bouquets I have brought inside to enjoy, watching the clouds scudding across a bright moon, shelling fresh peas, fresh produce- giant blueberries from a farm stall,  listening to my little bird friends greet the day and bid it good night, being present and feeling alive (head cold aside ) as I watch the dawn break through our east facing bedroom window, welcoming a new day, full of promise and potential, an abundance of things to enjoy, savor and be grateful for- all without costing a penny.

Feeling rather under the weather today, I'm looking forward to drying my Belgian linen sheets on the line, finishing a charming novel I began yesterday, pottering in the kitchen and possibly pulling some weeds and allowing my body a day to heal and recover so that hopefully this sniffle will clear up. And OfCourse, I'll enjoy a walk at some point too. But now, coffee and a peaceful moment or two with the breeze and birdsong.