Today a bought a garden parasol from John Lewis. I can’t stand sitting in the sun – so that is all the justification I needed. I often find excuses to buy thing; I haven’t bought anything for ages, its worn out, its just basics etc. I cant admit to myself that its just the urge to splurge.
So you bought something you didn’t really need: but presumably it wasn’t particularly expensive and at least now you stop and think before buying something. I have just finished reading your book (bought at the Compass conference) and have a couple of preliminary comments.
I know lots of people who would always think carefully about buying anything non-essential, think about the impact on the environment of their actions etc. Some are in my age group, the ones that grew up with austerity in the 40s/50s and had parents who called hire purchase the “never-never” so only used it for basics like washing machines. But others are younger and in the voluntary sector or caring professions. So there are a lot of us about — I’ve no idea what percentage. But what worries me is how we can change the habits of other people: I presume your comment that your sister wants to go on shopping was part jocular, but if you really mean you can’t persuade her to think differently, I sympathise: I am treading carefully around my own relatives, but feel guilty that I can’t persuade them to change.
It wont be easy Judith. A change of culture never is. But we have to ask the questions and start chipping away. In the case of our consuming habit it is a case of I will if you will. Only a critical mass will help deliver something different. But we are not alone. 25% of those aged 29-50 have made the decsion to downsize by 40% of their income. That is with no mainstream political leadership.
What makes you think it IS the urge to splurge? I am always buying things that I need to replace the stuff that it broken, but I can tell you that the hassle of doing so and the handing over of the loot leave me completely cold. I certainly don’t feel guilty about it.
On a garden theme, one of our plastic chaises longues broke a couple of days ago. Now I have to buy a replacement. I was perfectly happy with the one I had. My urge to splurge on a chaise longue is zero. The other one’s about to go too, so now I will need two. Dammit.