Materialism & Me

Image: The Container Store

I’m guilty of it and I’m aware.

Many of my family members and friends will tell you that I’m one of the most high-maintenance guys they’ve met. Although I’m not proud of it, the truth is I’ve always craved the finer things in life. From my Brooks Brothers clothing and Versace cologne to my Adidas Yeezys and Ultraboosts, I found a false sense of security and joy through my possessions for years. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with being materialistic, I’ve learned a couple of severe consequences associated with the material pursuit of happiness:

1. Materialism Fosters Fewer Positive Emotions

The American Psychology Association conducted an interview in 2014 with Tim Kasser, Knox College psychologist and former associate editor of the Journal of Personality and Consumer Culture, on materialism and well-being. His research suggested that the more individuals embraced materialistic values, the more they experienced mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression and succumbed to substance abuse. Furthermore, feelings of insecurity in terms of social rejection, financial setbacks, and suicidal ideation all perpetuate materialism.

In my experience, materialism is mostly viewed in a negative light within society. However, it’s important to recognize that family, friends, and various media outlets impose materialistic beliefs onto people contributing to the internal conflicts many deal with including myself.

2. Materialism Can Directly Impair Our Social Lives

A paper published in 2012 in Psychological Science demonstrated that people in a controlled experiment who were repeatedly exposed to images of luxury goods (i.e. cars, electronics, and jewelry), phrases related to materialism, and referred to as consumers instead of citizens exhibited regressions in demeanor. These individuals became more competitive, selfish, and less empathetic with a reduced sense of social responsibility.

Another paper published in 2013 in the Journal of Consumer Research followed 2,500 people over six years. The researchers concluded that a bidirectional relationship exists between materialism and loneliness. In other words, materialism encourages social isolation and social isolation cultivates materialism.

Growing an unhealthy attachment to or obsession with objects can be dangerous, so much so that it can induce illnesses as mentioned before, which nothing should be able to do to anyone.

The evidence speaks for itself. More importantly, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel hypocritical during my research.

In the past, I have been labeled or felt selfish, overly competitive, and cold-hearted. Although I’ve never endured a mental illness, I have turned to material possessions during times of insecurity.

I don’t intend to completely rid myself of my penchant for luxuries because I plan to live a life worth reliving. However, in the future if you were to ask me what I value most, I won’t point to the watch on my wrist, the high-end glasses on my face, or my posh car. I’ll reference my strong morals, my healthy mind and body, my quality relationships, and my challenging yet meaningful occupation.