I recently watched the movie ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses’ which got me thinking about how people choose to spend their money. The movie overall is entertaining, just the stereotypical way of life that was portrayed is what struck me the most, where people spend money on material goods as a display of status. I was inspired to share why this “dream” that many Americans have or just fall into a comfort zone with is a very boring, unsatisfying way of life. Who would want to live their life just going through the motions in a job they hate, just to pay bills and buy more ‘stuff’ to show off how well they are doing?
Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoying buying things on occasion, just not in a way to flaunt my status. Purchasing new toys is exciting in the moment, so I can see the appeal. The new TV or gadget makes you feel good at the time of purchase, but that sensation fades away rather quickly, more so than people want to admit to. On the contrary, amazing experiences will stay with you forever (at least until you get dementia…). They provide numerous memories that you can look back on to feel good. That’s why I choose to spend my money on travel an other experiences and am trying to get rid of as much material ‘stuff’ as I can (seriously, how did I accumulate so much crap?!).
I understand some people like things and would prefer not to travel, which is completely fine, but that’s not who I am. I wonder if these are the same type of people who think a true vacation is one where you hang out at an all inclusive resort getting drunk every day, confined within the locations walls like a prison. People call this a ‘vacation’ and say that they visited an exotic country, but did they really? Then never set foot in a local town where they went or even interacted with locals who weren’t paid to make sure they are happy. They never got to see how people make a living or enjoy the local cuisine. I don’t consider that a real trip. What they did was merely an escape from their boring lives back home, temporarily trying to hide their displeasure with things while soaking up the sun and booze on a beach. Yet another stereotypical ‘dream’ people have.
To me, a vacation should be exciting and force you to step outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to go crazy and Couchsurf with strangers or spend the night in a hostel. You can still pay for some of the comforts you have back home if you wish to. A trip should be one where you do try and learn more about a new culture, maybe meeting a local or two. You should be out exploring the new sights and sounds. You should try and go to a local food joint where the people actually gave a damn how the meal was prepared. This will open you up to many new potential experiences, and as a result, providing you with lasting memories.
Sure, I may be biased as a frequent traveler, but at the end of the day what sounds like more fun:
1. Taking a trip to Thailand and making new friends from Israel, Australia, Taiwan, and New York, then heading out to spend a day at a beautiful park with Waterfalls.
2. Buying a new scarf or some other clothing item (what do people buy nowadays??), sitting at home with friends, talking gossip about the lame people you work with while watching catching up on a TV episode you just ‘couldn’t miss’.
I’m hoping this is a no brainer for most people. And for those who think the second option sounds great, I hope you take a chance just one time to get out and experience the world. I do sense that the Millennials are picking up on the fact that you should be living your life to the fullest, following through your passions. We only have one lifetime. I hope you spend it doing the things you love and not what the stereotypical American dream says you should be doing.
