Tuesday, October 19, 2010

You Are What You Own

The difference between "what you need and what you want" is no foreign concept for Americans. This is a motto by which mothers raise children to practice good shopping habits, but I wonder how much weight this phrase truly has in our culture. Last night, while taking inventory in my room, I realized how much STUFF I really have yet at the same time how much I couldn't imagine life without. For example, I probably have more than thirty shirts in my room.  Having a lot of different things to wear, I suppose, give my wardrobe variety, but is variety really a necessity? This exercise really showed me the extent of American consumerism and how that affects our culture. In a sense what we want almost becomes what we need or at the very least the boundary becomes blurry. I probably don't need thirty shirts, yet when try to think of what things I could live without, I can't imagine life without the luxury that quantity allows me to have.
These are a few of the GENERAL things I have in my room:
Technology:
   Cell phone
   Laptop
   Ipod + chargers & protective cases for all of the above
   Printer
   fan
Bed:
   Comforter
   4 Fleece Blankets
   Pillow
   pillow case & sheets, 2 sets
   mattress
Desk
   pens, pencils, markers, colored pencils, glue stick, scissors, tape, desk lamp, packing tape, binders, folders, dividers, paper, Textbooks, picture frame, chair
Food:
   mugs, plastic cups, plates, bowls, water bottle, dish towel, dish washing soap, water heater
   various snacks
Standing lamp
Book shelf
Dresser & Closet
   too many shirts for my own good
   jeans, yoga pants, performance slacks
   a few dresses
   about 7 pairs of shoes
   pjs
   sweatshirts
   laundry bag
   laundry detergent, bleach for colors, oxyclean
   towels, washcloth
Backpack, shoulder bag, purse
Toiletries
    Tissues, makeup, toothbrush & toothpaste, hair products, soap, deodorant, sewing kit, face creams/washes
    nail polish
Chair
Window seat
2 throw pillows
2 suitcases

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