Why letting go of materialism is letting of yourself

🤔 Are you clinging onto possessions you never use? Why? Likely, it's because you've attached part of yourself to this physical item.

🚗 In our materialist society, we're socialised to believe that possessions are extensions of ourselves. This is cultural. The concepts of "mine" and "yours" are social constructs inexistent in some indigenous communities.

🧑 We attach parts of our character and values to what we own. For me:

• electric guitar = creativity

• bookcase = intellect

• standing desk = productivity

  
  

❓ Does that mean I'm not creative without a musical instrument? Am I unintelligent without a bookcase stacked with philosophical texts? When we call it out, it becomes obvious that we can live our values independently of our possessions.

🧘 Since my 2-hour meditation practice started last September, I've felt less attached to things. I feel more grounded in myself. I feel a greater sense of belonging and peace in who I am. My inner identity feels more distanced from the external world of stuff and relationships that will never be "mine".

📦 Earlier this month, I donated half of my possessions. I started sorting through my bookcase the day after I had to let go of a person who's very dear to me. In releasing a literal attachment to stuff, I intuitively released a metaphorical attachment to this person.

⚽ It felt cathartic to donate possessions that represented a past self or a future self that never was. Discarding my old goalkeeper gloves was letting go of my childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer. But my electric guitar still lies unused in the corner of my lounge. It's tough to let that go. As I write this, tears well up, and my chest feels heavy.

🔍 If a possession is difficult to let go of, reflect on these questions:

1. What does this item represent to you? Beyond creativity, my electric guitar represents my teenage dream of becoming a rock star.

2. What are your needs behind this representation? When I bought this guitar, I needed to be seen and free. I wanted other people to appreciate my talents and be free to travel the world in a band.

3. Set aside the past. Consider how you might already be fulfilling these needs or how you can fulfil them in the future. I feel seen & appreciated by the people I support as a coach & facilitator. I'm pursuing mastery in developing my craft. In working freelance, I feel immense freedom in how I dedicate my time.

😈 Your ego will protest: "But what if it's useful someday? It's not environmentally friendly to throw things away. Even recycling isn't that sustainable." This is an attempt to justify illogical attachment. It's a greater waste to hold onto things you don't need. Your possessions could bring pleasure to others through being donated or recycled into something new.

🌍 Letting go of a society based on "infinite" growth on a finite planet means letting go of a "self" constructed upon material possessions or desires.

Making sustainable choices means maturing our concept of who we are. Paradoxically, the individual only exists as part of an interconnected web of life.

💚 Letting go is much easier if we have fulfilling alternatives. Consumerism is merely a superficial bandage to patch over a deep internal wound of separation from our true nature.

🌟 The new story of humanity is one of aliveness, connection & presence. It's making art that speaks to our souls, exchanging heartfelt stories with loved ones, using our talents to do meaningful work for our communities, appreciating the wonders of nature and savouring a delicious family meal.

🎉 The "simple pleasures" are actually complex, life-enriching pleasures. If we release our attachment to materialism, we’ll learn to appreciate what really makes us feel alive.