Consumed by Consumption

You are what you consume.

But why are you consuming?

Is it your choice? Is society manipulating you? Is there any system that targets you?

You consume what pulls your heartstrings, what stirs your emotions, what catches your eyes.

You don’t crave what you have never seen. How could you? Out of sight, out of desire.

Then something appears — a billboard, neon lights, a storefront, a flashy ad on your social media feed. Suddenly, it whispers to you, “You need me.” And just like that, you do.

– If your wallet agrees, it is yours in a heartbeat.
– If it doesn’t, you daydream, plan, obsess — until you can finally have it.

But here is the kicker: the thrill fades fast. Satisfaction is fleeting. What you bought loses its shine. So, you look for the next thing. And the next.

New cravings, new desires, new wants. They replace contentment. A cycle begins.

Sometimes you feel guilty too for buying something that you didn’t need. But then you see a Sale sign, you start wanting new things again.

You become unconscious and ignorant again.

Would you desire something you have never heard of? Of course not. Ignorance keeps you content.

You don’t want or need something until you see it, smell it, feel it, or hear about it.

Yet, the moment something new crosses your path, it feels essential.

Why?

Because someone is out there to influence you, manipulate you, or suggest you. It could be a family member, friend, marketer, brand, celebrity, or influencer.

It could be a bad social experience that makes you feel jealous. You want to take revenge or show others that you can also have the same thing — or better.

You can’t save yourselves. Watch a movie, TV series, or news, or scroll through social media, someone is selling you, in a creative way.

A celebrity is teasing you in an ad. An influencer is showing off her new costly possession. On-screen fictional stories show characters living their lives to the fullest, and they have all.

On top of that, a marketer or a brand is weaving a story, convincing you that this thing will make life better.

Better. Easier. Comfortable. That is the dream we are sold.

So we collect — stuff, gadgets, comforts. Our homes overflow with things we thought would fill the gaps.

But the gaps stay, don’t they?

Rich or poor, middle class or elite — everyone is sprinting in the same race for more.

And still, no one is winning.

Why?

If you are conscious enough, you may know the answer.