LeSabreur
I listen intently
- Joined
- May 17, 2025
- Posts
- 3,632
And by going against the incessant tide of American excess, you win the game of life!I completely understand. We chose, early on in our marriage, to not get into heavy debt. We didn't drive the newest car, or the name brand clothes. Lots of Ramen too. We focused on the kids, paying off the mortgage, and now? We're set... It's not fancy living, but it's perfect for us.
Rates of depression and anxiety are skyrocketing in the US. Social scientists attribute a great deal of it to the relentless pursuit of the artificial lifestyle that is portrayed as how we all should live. We strive and scrape and try to attain this vaporous cloud of nothingness...the latest big SUV for mom and pickup truck for dad, the newest iPhones and unlimited data plans for everyone, the big-screen TV with all the channels, the gleaming stainless appliances and tile, the Eddie Bauer home with the fake stone facade, the large wardrobe of fancy clothes, the trips to Hawaii and Mexico, the colorful tattoos, kids playing every sport, all the silly toys in the garage....
Those who can actually afford such things find emptiness in their lives, surrounded by STUFF that does nothing to bring them joy. The rest of the poor slobs go into massive debt trying to make the grade, and feel immense stress from two directions: the debt and the inability to keep up with the Joneses.
You and your man are to be applauded!
