my defense strategy against capitalistic consumerism during the holidays

🎅🏼🤶🏼🎄❄

I'm enjoying the hustle and basking in the bustle of this time of year. I love intentionally participating in the cooky silly hubbub that is holiday shopping. Then coming home and disconnecting from consumer culture by playing games with hubs and not consuming MORE advertisements.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not immune to commercials and impulse buying when I'm in a store and I see all the very carefully curated displays that are psychologically designed to get one to buy more.

But when I do make a purchase that wasn't 100% intentional, I don't beat myself up about it, that's for damn sure.

My defense strategy against capitalistic consumerism during the holidays is:

1. Lots of pleasure and fun so I'm in my most balanced dopamine state. That way I'm not searching for the next hit.

2. A budget for my top people. I think about them all year long so sometimes I go overboard bc I love them so much ✨😘.

3. For my secondary people, they only get gifts if I see something I KNOW they'd love/use. That way it's intentional, thoughtful, special, and green. If they don't get a gift, they'll get a sweet note!

4. An awareness beginning in September that while I'm walking around, browsing the internet, and watching TV, efforts to get me to have an out of body buying experience are going to be ramping up! Advertisers want me to go into a trance, swipe my card, and have no memory of what just happened 😵‍💫. If I'm aware 90% of the time, and gentle with myself when I'm not, that's a success to me!

5. Choosing who I surround myself with for the holiday parties and get togethers. Who can I tolerate? Who causes me more harm than good?

Bonus: I don't participate in any sort of shaming or shoulding that is so prominent rn. For instance: feeling like I'm required to buy a present for someone just bc they bought something for me. Reciprocation gets to be voluntary not compulsory!

How do you survive??