is it important to own a lot of material possessions ?

Question

im poor, live on sickness benifit, live in a smal flat , wait to see a psychologist for post traumatic stress and bpd - so i cannot afford hardly anything.

i own nothing except an old computer and thats it, and just a few books.

i was browsing the catalogue before & i was depressed at seeing how many things there is to buy and possess.

including :

- a web cam

-internet phone

- printer - a laminator - a scanner

- digital camera

- camcorders - dvd camcorders-

- flash camcorder

- a PDA ( personal digital assistent )

- newest mobile phone with newest features

- an expensive bed - a matress topper - plenty of pillows

- mp3 players and ipod

-dvd player - blue ray player

- widescreen tv hd tv -

- xbox - playstation 3

- a new expensive kettle

- portable earphones

- a dab radio

im obsessed about all these things & depressed because i dont have any of them & cannot afford them..

do you any of those on the list ? if you dont how do you cope when theres pressure to have them?

Answer 1

Nope - you just want enough basics to be comfortable. (Even then I say 'want' rather than 'need'. ) I don't even have central heating!



Just going through your list;



- a web cam - I have an integral one on my Asus notebook which only costs £200 for the whole mini pc, and was supplied by my employer.



-internet phone - as above



- printer - a scanner - useful but depends if you need them



- a laminator - no, we had one at school and it kept catching fire!



- digital camera - if you want one, you can get one for about a tenner these days.



- camcorders - dvd camcorders- no, not interested



- flash camcorder - no, not interested



- a PDA ( personal digital assistant ) - one was supplied by my employer but I never use it. I prefer pen and paper.



- newest mobile phone with newest features - no, I just want to make the occasional simple phone call.



- an expensive bed - a matress topper - plenty of pillows - why?



- mp3 players and ipod - I have one but rarely use it



-dvd player - blue ray player - Don't have time to watch films, I prefer to live my life.



- widescreen tv hd tv - see above



- xbox - playstation 3 - see above



- a new expensive kettle - no, I use a traditional kettle on the gas hob.



- portable earphones - wot?, why?



- a dab radio - I'd prefer a sherbet dab

Answer 2

I don't think possessions make you happy, obviously some things could be classed as essential but looking at your wish list why does it have to be an expensive bed and an expensive kettle, why not just a basic model that works? I don't own any of the items on your list but would still consider myself happy.

Answer 3

OK you say you live on sickness benefit and get upset because you do not own all the latest gadgets it makes you depressed. Please concentrate on the important things in life. Maybe your health could be better and maybe you could get a job, but at least you are in a comfortable country with all the benefits. Please think of all the starving people all over the world who have barely enough to eat. Poverty is relative and I would say that you are lucky to have the sickness benefit that you get, and I bet you do not have to starve. Count your blessings and thank God that you are being looked after by the people of Great Britian and the Tax payers like myself.

Answer 4

I have a Laptop and an old desktop, Cheap bed and cheap kettle!



As for the items you listed I have none of the them. I am not even bothered by gadgets. I'd much prefer my surroundings to be comfortable. I dont bow down to peer pressure.



P.S I have an old car too, which is on its last legs.

Answer 5

I have always believed materialism is a trap..yes we do need certain things but you list is not the things that brings happiness...when you get your health in order you may find these things are not so important after all... a roof over your head, food in your stomach, heat in winter, and warm clothes are the important things in this world to survive...also a good family and friends makes things even better.

Answer 6

i own an old mobile, an mp3 player and a digital camera out of ur list - material possesions are nothing to me! i prefer to live the moment (ok, so its nice to have things to rememeber other things about but i dont find it nessesary!) to me my family, friends and memories are more important than any materials in the world : )

Answer 7

i own 1 or 2 of thoose things but i know how u feel as alot of people around me r rich and can afford anything....i like to think as all these things as material and will soon break and be nothing agian whereas u urself and ur soul will continue so dont get upset over the little things in life consetrate on wat really matters......like urself and ur family and making urself the best person u can be x

Answer 8

I have at least a dozen of the things on that list. Big deal.



If you're going to place your happiness on an inanimate object, I think you may want to seek counseling.

Answer 9

Happiness isn't about possessions. You need to work on yourself and deal with your depression. There is an absurd little saying that may put in into context for you - 'He who dies with the most toys wins'.

Answer 10

No it really isn't important...cuz materialistic things dnr bring happiness only god duz

Answer 11

try asking yacht and villas and millions in the bank. it did matter to my ex boyfriend, he left me because i didn't have those things. who says money can't buy love.

Answer 12

i think as long as you have happiness and someone to share it with then nothing else matters