Humanity, sadly, has been brainwashed to accept life as a never satisfied, constant consuming machine, finding happiness in objects and fake wants above emotions and genuine human needs.
But now, in small hubs across the globe, we warriors are becoming awakened to the realisation that there is more to our existence than just turning up, logging in and drilling it out for the man at the top.
I’ve been at both scales of the salary ladder and speak from experience when I say that money cannot, and will not, buy you happiness. It will not fill this sick man-made void, ever.
When I was a corporate girl, for just six months I will add, I became detached from nature and sought comfort from material wealth. The role was pressured, the team all competed for status glory and I went to pieces.
My life became a destructive whirlwind of chemical and plastic consumption. I had a void to fill and it was done by buying, spending and consuming. I fell deep and as the pressure increased, so did my bad behaviour.
I’ve read interesting articles about the more wealth a country has, the more detached they become from nature. I can relate. Why would I care about taking a simple stroll in the countryside, feeling the wind on my face, watching the birds glide and weave above - I had money to burn and stuff to grab.
I would waste my time and energy on quick- fix gratifications, throwing money around with no thought of how my purchases had a huge global implication.
Oh all hail the Primarks of the world with their nasty offering of disposable outfits. Roll up shoppers 'buy it cheap, wear it once and throw it away. Who gives a shit? It’s cheap, and you my dear, will look like a million dollars!’
This throwaway attitude has huge implications on developing countries that are unable to develop because of our crack-habit shopping addictions.
After almost suffering a full on break-down, I left the corporate world and started to concentrate on my writing. I now do this for a living and don’t get me wrong, the money is minimal, but I'm happy and it’s a step into my true passion, journalism, and after the corporate world almost killed my creativity, I feel I’m now on the right path.
Small steps make big leaps.
When you enjoy what you do for a living and choose to embark on a life using a skill you’re naturally good at, your desire to escape will slowly disappear and you’ll find your pace slow down, your needs get smaller but more directed and you’ll become more in tune with the true and authentic version of yourself. Many of us build a life that we want to hide from using drugs, shopping, whatever, but it’s not the way it has to be.
It’s been a year now and I finally feel confident again to write about important issues that are close to my heart. I’ve found people I can connect with who make me realise it’s not weird to care about the planet and I also think that maybe, just maybe, I might actually have something important to say.