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Opulence vs. Consumerism: why things aren't (and don't have to be) entirely meaningless


I've spoken about maximalism a little bit (okay, a lot. I'm a maximalist so it would be as such!) on this blog and it's something I wanted to address quickly on this calm Sunday evening. We are just about to have an Indian takeaway, so I'll make it snappy. 


Minimalism can be very beneficial, but it's not the only option

I'd struggled and strived to achieve some abstract goal I called minimalism: very few possessions, no attachment to physical objects but rather obsessed by a desire to move from place to place hassle-free because I own virtually nothing. 

This, it has dawned on me, is not always helpful. Owning close-to-nothing won't necessarily make you happy, and admittedly this is a more extreme, idealised notion of minimalism, but all the same I want to argue that possessions can be incredibly powerful because it is opulence, rather than consumerism that we need to be our mindset. 


Opulence is not excessive wealth or a product of greed, but a love for the abundance of material items

Opulence is an incredibly sacred idea for me. To own lots is generally frowned upon, just as owning little is prized or pitied, but it is being surrounded by what you consider beautiful that is at the core of opulence. Luxury doesn't have to be expensive because if it is rich in memories, nostalgia and meaning, then that is in itself luxurious. 


Consumerism is the enemy, not materialism

We are beginning to observe a society that, in equal parts, celebrates those that have the latest, the best and the most fashionable and also denies the importance of having such things. It is not the material object that is the issue. It is consuming and rejecting thereof. 

Every purchase is a vote and every object you choose to bring into your life is a step in a direction you are therefore choosing. The next iPhone will bring you no joy,  and though it might provide a hit of dopamine, you won't even remember you had it in 40 years time. 

Choose items meaningfully and you can achieve what I call opulence, enjoy your maximalist tendencies (like I do mine) and still take a step away from a dangerous system that decays personal style and makes everyone like everyone else. 

Anyway, I've preached enough. I hope you enjoyed this post and have a fab Sunday!

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