We live in a culture of unreasonable expectations.
Nearly every day, television, magazines, websites, and billboards offer us countless images of the “perfect” home.
Beaming faces, sparkling eyes, pristine decor, and bountiful tables of food are shown on media platforms of every sort. Many of these images stand side by side with corporate logos and retail stores.
It would seem, from the image on the screen, these items are essential for a perfect home. Because, obviously, the smiles are bigger, the family is happier, and the lights shine brighter—if, and only if, we buy the consumer product to make it so.
This is not a new strategy from marketers. Our entire lives, they have communicated subtle (and not-so-subtle) messages that our lives will be better, happier, and more fulfilled if we buy whatever they’re selling.
It seems our entire economy is built on making people feel dissatisfied with what they have. And nobody is immune to the meticulously crafted persuasion.
I assume one reason for the effectiveness of these ad campaigns is because we all desire a joyful home filled with love, warmth, and comfort. We cherish our time with family and want it to be picture perfect. We love our kids and want them to be happy. And we all enjoy times of celebration and desire them to be memorable.
But let’s remember one important truth today: You don’t need any of those things in the ads for a perfect home.
You don’t need new furniture or updated countertops. You don’t need the stainless steel appliances (or whatever is most trendy this decade). You don’t need the largest-screen television. You don’t need all the perfect decoration. You don’t need expensive food or drink. And you certainly don’t need a Lexus in the driveway with a red ribbon wrapped around it.
Home is about family, thankfulness, acceptance, love, and strength. It’s about reflecting on the life that was and looking forward to the life that can be in the future. It’s about counting blessings. And it’s about slowing down from life long enough to appreciate and enjoy the people who matter most.
Too often, the consumeristic promises and fake photos keep us from all that.
Instead of slowing down, we speed up. We rush from store to store (or website to website), filling our homes with all the things we think we need to make it just perfect.
We fill our schedules with increased commitments and responsibilities. We max out our credit cards. We get so frustrated and weary chasing the perfect home that we never take time to enjoy the one right in front of us.
But once we slow down enough to notice our blessings, we begin to see that we already have everything we need for a perfect home. We just need to appreciate it more.
I have decided to cut back on carbs and processed foods. The thing is McDonald so as other fast food have changed their dietary menus for their customers. It would be much easier to choose from if they are also reducing the fried foods. Will it cost us less to spend on? I know my kids loved McDonald when they were about five. Usually that filled them up, and I would think the greasy fried would be to be warned. Not checked the calories count on their ice cream and cones though.
It’s funny how people will tell you were to find your directions when you are lost on the highway. I remember most of them would tell me, “At the next light” and then, either they will say, the gas stations, and the McDonald or sometimes Burger King. :0).
Love this song, yes, McDonald is now the most affordable lunch, if you don’t mind eating on a go.
I remember when McDonald’s song advertisement was “You deserve a break today.” Looks as though that’s been a successful marketing theme for lots of retailers since then. I believe it definitely can feed into the ‘entitlement’ way of thinking and over-consumption.
I think social media has that effect on people. Other’s posting about all their things and their happy life. As I tell my husband when he gets discouraged we don’t have the money that other people have, “Are they happy?”
Most of them aren’t.
And why do they feel the need to show everyone on facebook or Instagram? Because they don’t enjoy it if it’s not posted for others to fawn all over it.
I took it one step too far. I got rid of things that were adorning my walls that I took pleasure in. Luckily for me, my husband stopped me by telling me it’s not hurting anything, just leave it alone.
Items I did get rid of were shoes and clothes. Some of them were too big. The shoes were too high. Yes, I have back problems now. :) Those things I don’t regret donating to Goodwill. I know someone will get good use of them.
My perfect house is a modest 1940’s cottage filled with family antiques, old furniture, family pictures, and basic appliances. It is not sleek or minimalist in decor, but it is us. What we need, we buy, but never high-end or excess. My minimalist journey is paring down the clutter and finding empty space in the cupboards and closets. I am now stripping out my office space to put back only necessary items. Huge job. My version of minimalism is not purist, but it is mine. Thanks, Josh, for the inspiration to find it.
Well said indeed! Thanks for sharing, Joshua!
I’m just beginning my minimalism journey and I have to say I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished so far.
For me this started after multiple attempts to clear enough space in my garage to fit my car in! 3 days of clearing & cleaning in the Australian Summer heat (it was hot) 5 trips to the tip, 4 trips to various local charities & the rest I advertised on Facebook market place for free. My success encouraged me to look back inside my home at the multiple attempts I’ve made to declutter & now I’m working through each room to get rid of the excess household items that I know I can live without.
My journey started because I’m a single parent of a teenager, that works a lot and I was sick of coming home to a mess and spending all my spare time trying to find space to put items. I’m about 40% through decluttering my home, with a huge amount of work in front of me. I’m on a mission & determined to free myself from owning too much stuff.
You’ve been an inspiration to me!
Have you noticed how virtually EVERY advertisement says how you “deserve” whatever it is they’re selling? Get the blah-blah YOU DESERVE! Really? What did you do to deserve it? Save a drowning child? Rescue a puppy? Or just exist? I guess advertisers have decided that we’re a society of weak-minded, entitled fools. And if it wasn’t working, they would change their strategy. It’s pathetic.
Nicely put!
Well said. We must remain in check with our minds and compulsive thinking. Marketing has a way of getting at us; e.g. flavoring sweets, chips, etc. just enough to make you crave more and buy more of the product.
I remember when McDonald’s song advertisement was “You deserve a break today.” Looks as though that’s been a successful marketing theme for lots of retailers since then. I believe it definitely can feed into the ‘entitlement’ way of thinking and over-consumption.