Move from Materialism …

I am guilty of having been a materialist.

Studying and doing well, was imperative to work and become financially independent.

With earnings, came the ability to spend and fulfil all my desires. I bought more clothes than necessary. I had bags and shoes to match. I made an effort in dressing and enjoyed the compliments that came my way.

I became house proud, investing in paintings, crystal, carpets, furniture and revelled that everyone who visited my home would appreciate the detailing that not only made the house pretty but also comfortable.

From a small car, we graduated to a bigger one and then an independent car for myself, justifying it as a necessity.

Eating out at restaurants, taking friends out more often became a way of life. As the years passed our dining habits graduated from small restaurants to fine dining at fancy hotels, paying a colossal amount for meals, that more often than not, were disappointing for the amount they cost. Yet there was no dissatisfaction…

The years flashed by. From youth to middle age life was a roller coaster ride; ambition, possession and needs were top on priority. Desires would be fulfilled and satisfaction short-lived. There was always something new on the horizon, and I marched on oblivious of how superficially I was living life.

With age comes wisdom, and living through a pandemic makes you wiser. With the forced solitude and changed lifestyle, I now realise how materialistic I was…

What good will the numerous lipsticks lying on my dressing table be? If masks are to become part of our life, then wearing lipsticks will be futile. The red, orange, pink, maroon, brown shades of my favourite brand of lipsticks I bought in abundance will just lie on my dressing table as a reminder of the past.

During this month of lockdown, I have lived in my track pants and teeshirts. The wardrobe is full of formal clothes that lie wasted and forgotten. Shoes and bags take up space in cupboards uselessly.

The many artifacts in my house need to be dusted daily. I now realize that we clutter up our homes and lives with the abundance that is non-essential, and what gave me joy earlier no longer does so, merely adding to my workload.

Our cars are parked in the garage. Once in a while, we start the cars to ensure the batteries don’t die. If and when the lockdown is lifted, I doubt we will be going out unless there is an emergency. People at the age I am will remain fearful and careful, till a vaccine is developed and there is no fear of contagion.

The rings, bangles and watch that I constantly wore are now off my hands. They lie on my dressing table as I don’t want any impediments in the serious hand washing I do many times a day. No more do I need or desire a bigger solitaire or a fancier watch.

I have barely any expenditure now. No new perfumes to buy. Instead, I look for alcohol-based sanitizers and sprays. I am happy to stock up on them, knowing how important disinfectants are today.

No eating out. Yes, emphasis and expenditure are on grocery, fruit and vegetable shopping. Then on washing, sanitizing, cleaning and storing. Eating healthy, homemade food is making me fitter and more active.

Destiny wanted me to witness this pandemic, for a purpose. I am now aware of how much I have changed. What was crucial and necessary then, will never be significant again.

In the future, I intend to value people more than material things. No more weepy farewells at the end of my daughter’s visit home. I will be sensible and grateful that she could come home and send her off, with a smile.

I realise now, that one must always be grateful for whatever time you get to spend with your children as there is no certainty that things will go as planned.

It will be a long time before we stop talking about how the pandemic, forced the shutting down of airports world over.

It also made the probability of meeting our family members in other cities remote and distant. I learnt to cope with the unexpected and derive strength from prayers for their safety and well being.

We cannot always be in control and us humans adapt and mould ourselves accordingly.

While I have learnt to enjoy this solitude and find peace within, I do hope that life goes back to the way it was. I miss my friends, the hugs we shared and virtual meetings are not the same.

I doubt if I will ever shop the way I did. Things are of no value without people in your life.

I now realise that material goods do not give you happiness. I spent years of my life saving, accumulating and procuring things, chasing materialism, presuming that my happiness and success was dependent on it.

I was chasing an illusion !!

Vanity is for the young… as you mature and grow, both as a person and in age, you realise the importance of smiles, endearments, proximity, care and empathy.

Surprisingly, the pandemic has made me a stronger person. I have learnt to take things in my stride and not to worry.

I am convinced that all of us will emerge from this pandemic, more pragmatic and less materialistic. We will crib lesser, value and enjoy our freedom like never before.

We will go back to fearlessly shaking hands, hugging our friends, sitting across each other and laughing over inane things again.

I plan to cherish and hold dear all my relationships. My possessions in comparison are insignificant, having served their purpose long ago…