Materialistic things

Updated: Apr 7, 2021

So... I was told that i'm materialistic in nature.

Maybe i was. Maybe i am. Maybe i shall remain so.

Is it bad...to want...to desire...to indulge?

Someone once offered me a Swatch. I'd really wanted one. But i declined.

I said thanks. And added - If i accept this, I will not have the desire and the motivation to work hard enough to be able to save money and afford one.

I saved enough. Went to the store multiple times over the years - i still haven't bought one :)

I did want to enjoy the finer things in life. I wanted a large screen TV, a DVD player, a HiFi music system, a SUV, a top of the line flagship cell, a mac etc etc etc

I've owned a few of these...never even got close to buying others...still desire a few.

There was a time when i used to buy second hand books...because i could not afford to buy new ones.

There was a time when i used to stare in storefront windows for clothes which i could not afford.

There was a time when i used to change multiple buses, just to get home.

There was a time when i used to look at a glass building, while waiting for the bus, thinking, would i ever work in such a building ?

There was a time when i had a single pair of shoes which i just had to continue using, because i could not afford new ones. Couldn't afford branded sports shoes.

There was a time when i had limited number of warm clothes to ward off the winter chill.

There was even a month when i couldn't pay my electricity bill.

It's not as if i was wanting for stuff. I wasn't. I had enough...but wanted more, wanted better.

There were a lot of desires which went unfulfilled. So, when i could afford some of them, i did indulge. Though, i still didn't get the best of what i wanted. I settled for second best because i did not want to be extravagant in my spending. I spent, but spent with a lot of hesitation.

I now spend for things which provide convenience. Which aren't basic but comfortable. Not the best of the best, but not the basic either.

I decided a long time ago, that i would never let my mind 'want' for food. I'd never compromise my palette. Food, i would indulge to my heart's desire. I would eat the good things, cook them too. Seek out food to satisfy my curiosity.

I don't think twice before buying a 'ton' of chocolates. My spouse tells me that i buy a significant amount of it :) If i want to spend on ice cream today, i don't think twice about it.

If i were to travel, I'd want to travel in comfort and stay in comfort too.

I still hunt for bargains, for deals wherever possible. But i don't think too much before spending. I have 4 pairs of sports shoes, because i see them as an investment in my health. They were expensive, yes, even after i bought them on sale.

I now look for comfort, above most other things.

It's not that i am content now. It's not that i don't desire an ever increasing list of gadgets.

The car, above, i loved it, when i saw it. Though i know that i will never own it... :)

A few things that i have / indulge myself in - which may not necessarily have any practical use whatsoever

Aromatic candles, oil & Pot Pourri

A few toys - for myself, not my daughter :)

I even bought a few expensive cooking implements

A GPS & Heart rate enabled wristwatch - I think this has probably been my most expensive buy

A few dozen pairs of socks :) I'm a little particular about comfort here too...

A couple of fountain pens - though i don't write as much now

A Bookcase full of books - some of which have gone unread in the past decade

Dad gave me an encyclopedia, which i treasure