Ok this one is dated--- but the message holds true.
I don't want to be preachy here. Just trying to do a little consciousness raising. I'm hearing ads on TV - each store trying to up the ante on creating a shopping stampede/frenzy.
In fact for some people, the stampede resulted in personal injury and fatalities. Brings new meaning to the term "shop till you drop". We've been brainwashed to think we must hurry down and skirmish to get the goods. That somehow, getting more stuff is the key to happiness. I'm not saying we should entirely not consume, we do have needs, even just for health, but but need to find the balance. Certainly we can boycott these merchants who are having their 2AM doorbuster blowout sales. Because if I had the day after Thanksgiving off (which I don't), I would certainly be enjoying the opportunity to sleep in, and having a restful day. I do not need to go to some consumer nightmare scene, fighting to find a parking space, and wrestling some bargain goods from some other consumer's hands. I mean seriously, who actually finds this to be an enjoyable experience?
Is there any real joy in all that hustle & bustle? Are the prices so good, that you are willing to risk your life for a bargain?
The official Buy Nothing Day movement is celebrating it's 18 year anniversary.
After a day-long consumer fast you may find that you enjoyed the simplicity and spirituality. In light of this experience, the garish materialism of the holiday season may suddenly feel offensive. So maybe this year, you extend the celebration of Buy Nothing Day throughout the holidays. You make a pact with your family to do things a little differently this year. Gather your loved ones and shift the focus.
They also participate in some creative street theater~
ZOMBIE WALK ~ You & many friends walk around in zombie costumes observing the shopping zombies.
CREDIT CARD CUT UP ~ Yep slicing & dicing those high interest rates, and nasty fine print rules & ever changing terms & conditions.
WHIRL MART ~ 10 or more people gather in a conga line of sorts each with an empty shopping cart, streaming through the stores, stockpiling ***nothing***.
"Economic meltdown, together with the ecological crisis of climate change could be the beginning of a major global cultural shift — the dawn of a new age: the age of Post-Materialism.
"A simpler, pared-down lifestyle – one in which we're not drowning in debt – may well be the answer to this crisis we're in," says Lasn. "Living within our means will also make us happier and healthier than we’ve been in years."
Do what you can to spread the the BND message this year. Blog it, up-vote it on Digg, or slap a poster on a wall. This could be the breakthrough year when the heavy consumers of the world finally get it." Ad Busters
Sleep in. Slow down. Love your planet. Take care of yourself & relax. Spend time with the people you love.
