B
Butaperson
Guest
So, materialism is kind of a confusing thing for me. I’m not sure I totally understand everything that it encompasses. I know the most basic principle is to not let material things interfere with your spiritual relations, but how far past that does it go?
For instance, I love make-up and clothing. I don’t spend much money on either one, although I do spend money on them, but I just really love the idea of creating beautiful things. I sew clothing, and I experiment with cosmetics, and I consider myself to be artistic in both mediums. I just love to see how different pieces and different accents work together or against one another to create different visual effects.
I do like looking pretty, but when it comes to an actual outside appearance, mostly all I want is to look respectable - past that, I’m not very concerned how I actually come across.
Is this materialism, because of the time and energy and money spent on them? Or is it not, because I find it to be a creative outlet?
Perhaps it is sinful to find comfort in these material things. I’ve had days when I am so stressed out by schoolwork, and my peers, and my emotions, and my life that the most relaxing thing in the world is to just put on some makeup. It’s the sort of thing that is often regarded as a time-waster, and sometimes the only way for me to relax is to let myself waste a little time. I consider painting my nails to be the ultimate leisure activity, because it is not creative, it is not necessary, it doesn’t really do much of anything - it is completely superfluous, and so if I’m painting my nails, that means there is no pressure put on me or anything left to stress about, it means that I have the spare time to not have think about anything but painting my nails (for at least five minutes). Is this materialism?
Or maybe it’s about what your goals in life are. I’ll admit it - it sounds nice to be rich. I think that if I had the chance to do something that would make me a lot of money, I would do it. But I also think that to me, money is nothing but a doorway to opportunities; new opportunities for my art. Sewing is my trade, what I plan to do for a career, and if I had money I would have the opportunities to create and invent the most wonderful things. Of course, the given situation is that I donate to charity and support my parish first and foremost before investing in my art.
Sometimes I think about how cool it would be to waltz into some hoity-toity shop and buy a $1,000 evening gown and gloves like it’s no biggie to wear to an awesome night party full of people talking in British accents and sipping wine imported from Belgium. Who hasn’t? But at the end of the day, that’s just not much a life to live, you know? I’d never really do it.
So what is materialism? I am sure that I have suffered from it earlier in life before becoming Catholic, but I’m not sure exactly what to watch out for today. Any little advice helps xD Thank you!
For instance, I love make-up and clothing. I don’t spend much money on either one, although I do spend money on them, but I just really love the idea of creating beautiful things. I sew clothing, and I experiment with cosmetics, and I consider myself to be artistic in both mediums. I just love to see how different pieces and different accents work together or against one another to create different visual effects.
I do like looking pretty, but when it comes to an actual outside appearance, mostly all I want is to look respectable - past that, I’m not very concerned how I actually come across.
Is this materialism, because of the time and energy and money spent on them? Or is it not, because I find it to be a creative outlet?
Perhaps it is sinful to find comfort in these material things. I’ve had days when I am so stressed out by schoolwork, and my peers, and my emotions, and my life that the most relaxing thing in the world is to just put on some makeup. It’s the sort of thing that is often regarded as a time-waster, and sometimes the only way for me to relax is to let myself waste a little time. I consider painting my nails to be the ultimate leisure activity, because it is not creative, it is not necessary, it doesn’t really do much of anything - it is completely superfluous, and so if I’m painting my nails, that means there is no pressure put on me or anything left to stress about, it means that I have the spare time to not have think about anything but painting my nails (for at least five minutes). Is this materialism?
Or maybe it’s about what your goals in life are. I’ll admit it - it sounds nice to be rich. I think that if I had the chance to do something that would make me a lot of money, I would do it. But I also think that to me, money is nothing but a doorway to opportunities; new opportunities for my art. Sewing is my trade, what I plan to do for a career, and if I had money I would have the opportunities to create and invent the most wonderful things. Of course, the given situation is that I donate to charity and support my parish first and foremost before investing in my art.
Sometimes I think about how cool it would be to waltz into some hoity-toity shop and buy a $1,000 evening gown and gloves like it’s no biggie to wear to an awesome night party full of people talking in British accents and sipping wine imported from Belgium. Who hasn’t? But at the end of the day, that’s just not much a life to live, you know? I’d never really do it.
So what is materialism? I am sure that I have suffered from it earlier in life before becoming Catholic, but I’m not sure exactly what to watch out for today. Any little advice helps xD Thank you!