In this day and age, materialism is becoming more prevalent as a topic of discussion.
Depending on the person, the need for physical objects and possessions can range from “If I don’t have a cellphone I will literally die” to “I could live in the forest and live off instant noodles for the rest of my life and be happy”.
Older generations are used to having singular goals driving them to do better, and to want bigger and better things. Food on the table, then shelter, then a stable job, then tastier food, then bigger houses, then a raise to sustain a growing family.
As the country becomes more industrialised and families become better-off financially, it can be hard for newer generations to relate to the goals that their parents once held.
Instead, many are driven to search for new meaning in life, and sometimes that involves buying bigger and better products to fit in with a bigger and better world.
Other times, it involves negating the need for materialistic goods, going so far as to build entire lifestyles around the ideology. Backpacking and minimalistic living are evidence of the matter.
Yes, the concept of minimalism versus materialism has always been there. But now, in our fast-paced, ever-changing world, it may be time to look at the bigger picture and ask ourselves what we really want at the end of the day.
