Photo by Christian Haugen
Leave it to Americans to juxtapose Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Start with a day when we acknowledge our non-material blessings and the joy of community, and follow it up with millions giving their credit cards a pre-dawn workout for what will likely distract them from everything they were expressing such gratitude for just one day prior.
As a creativity coach, this is a topic that is especially dear to my heart. My work revolves around supporting others in creating, rather than just consuming. A certain level of consumption is, of course, necessary, but have you considered how your level of material consumption can affect your creative output?
Let me count the ways…
1. Buying a lot of stuff can create stress around money.
If you’re a writer, artist or budding entrepreneur who wants to spend more of your life engaged in creative projects that thrill you, having credit card debt hanging over your head is a sure-fire way to squeeze the enthusiasm out of any task that is not likely to be income-producing. That’s not a good kind of pressure to put on your creative work.
2. Many of the most popular holiday purchases are items that can squander precious time.
Let’s face it…most of the things people are purchasing during this spending season will either not get used much at all or will turn into time sucks. Time spent downloading apps for your new Kindle Fire is time you’re not creating.
3. High material consumption reinforces our desire for immediate gratification.
In our creative work, patience is critical. It may take years of practice to develop the skill to make good on your best creative ideas. And while there’s an initial excitement when beginning a creative project, persistence is required to see it through to completion.
By seeking satisfaction in the quick thrill of a new toy, it’s easy to lose sight of all that we gain by working deliberately, staying the course for an extended time, and savoring the process along the way.
4. Consumerism feeds the Comparison Monster.
One of the most powerful creativity killers is comparing your work to the work of others. So often, the sensitive creative spirit will see what others are doing and feel they come up short or that their ideas have already been done. It’s easy to grow discouraged and procrastinate or quit.
To keep your creative flame burning, it’s best to disengage from the comparison game as much as possible. Buying the latest gadgets and following trends can draw you in to that feeling of competition and not measuring up.
5. Having more material resources available can lead to reduced innovation.
Years ago, at a Pampered Chef party, I was amazed at all the different tools that have been invented for very specific food preparation tasks. You can buy a mushroom slicer, spaghetti stirrer, avocado peeler or mango wedger. Hello? Have they never heard of a knife, fork or spoon?
The more resources we have available, the less we need to problem-solve. Necessity is the mother of invention because it’s only when something is missing or lacking that we need to innovate and create something new. If our every whim is easily satisfied with something we just bought at Target, the capacity to develop new ideas can diminish.
6. Having a lot of material possessions can encourage perpetual busyness, which can distract you from the observation and reflection creativity requires.
At a recent doctor visit, if I’d had a smartphone, I would have been using it to work while I waited for the doctor. Instead, I overcame my boredom by taking mental notes about dialogue snippets and sensory details of the experience that I can use in my writing.
Having nothing to do but watch and wonder about the world around you can be just what the Muse ordered.
6 1/2. Material belongings can shield us from the inspiration of our shadow side.
This is really a variation on #6 and the idea that our toys distract us from our inner thoughts. In this case, they allow us to disengage from feelings like guilt, anger, sadness and resentment, emotions that, while uncomfortable, can inspire great works of art. How many songs would be left on your MP3 player if I asked you to delete all the songs about unrequited love?
A Challenge for You
I’m not suggesting you have to live like a monk in order to fulfill your creative intentions. But your creative practice will benefit from more mindfulness about your consumption habits.
This holiday season, take a stand in favor of lower consumption and more creativity in your gift-giving practice.
When making a purchase for yourself or others, ask, “How will this support the journey to a more creative and fulfilling life?”
Some pro-creativity gift ideas:
- Buy gifts that encourage creativity in the user, like art supplies or writing tools.
- Give the gift of a creative class.
- Make a homemade gifts. If you don’t think this will fly in your circles, think of at least one person you think would appreciate it and do it for them.
- Give a ticket or coupon for an outing to a museum, play or other performance.
- Support an artist and do your holiday shopping at places like Etsy.
- Join the Simplify the Holidays Challenge sponsored by the Center for a New American Dream.
Other Angles on Consumerism
Be sure to visit the bloggers who are joining me in writing on this topic today:
Carole Jane Treggett, Merry Debt-Free Holidays: How to Spend Less and Create More Meaning and Value This Year
Sarah O’Leary, Foster Wellness In Your Community: Shop Local and Independent This Holiday Season
Kathy Sprinkle, The Green Christmas Inquiry – 8 ways to Celebrate with Mother Earth’s Blessing
And here’s a related post by Amy Clover: The 4 Commitments: Avoid Holiday Overload
Your Turn
What kinds of impacts does material consumption have on your creative practice ?
What ideas do you have for promoting creativity in your gift giving this year?
Do you sell a product or service that helps others live a more creative and fulfilling life? Feel free to leave a link to your site so we can send you some business!
When making a purchase for yourself or others, ask, “How will this support the journey to a more creative and fulfilling life?”
What a beautiful way of framing a very important topic. I think many of us are quick to deride consumerism while simultaneously practicing it. But this framing of our future behavior can help us to more easily resist what you demonstrate is not healthy behavior. Thanks for sharing, Sue!
Patrick Ross recently posted..Showing AND Telling
Twitter: on_creatvity
Glad you like that question, Patrick! Think of the credit card debt that could be avoided if people routinely asked themselves that before making a purchase?
You’re absolutely right that it’s easy to complain about consumerism is bad while sipping a pumpkin spice latte and chatting on our smartphone in our nice, new sweater. The important thing is to be mindful and make conscious choices. Making wiser, more pro-creative choices is really an ongoing journey.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Love this Sue. How indeed can the muse come and play or little messages of inspiration get through if we are falsely busy on toys and gadgets.
I do wonder how our children will cope in problem solving and creativity in the future, perhaps it’s just in a different way than we learned? The mother of invention is bound to come up with something!
Jackie Walker recently posted..Affairs of the Heart – Men Explode, Women Erode
Twitter: jackiewalker
Interesting question, Jackie, about how kids growing up today will develop creativity in this gadget-crazy environment. For sure their creative media will look different than ours. And really, there are so many more opportunities for creativity now than there ever were, if that’s the path we help our kids to follow.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Great article, Sue. And lovely questions for thought.
Chris
Chris recently posted..December 1 NewZine: Permission to Lower Your Expectations
Thanks, Chris. I cracked up when I got your NewZine in my inbox this week because I seem to be constantly recommending people lower their expectations lately. What a great reminder, and it is especially important at this time of year. Definitely can be applied to our holiday shopping!
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
I try to ask myself before buying something for myself or others: “how long will this last and how much time will I have to spend maintaining it.” But I just LOVE the idea of adding your question “How does this support my (or my loved one’s) journey to a more creative and fulfilling life?” Maybe I need to stamp that on my forehead!
If I get creative and make the gifts instead, then I’m able to nurture that spark in myself AND reduce my consumption. In fact, I recently posted some easy recipes for homemade holiday gifts: http://www.wellnessthenaturalway.com/2011/12/make-bath-cookies-for-holiday-gifts/
Sarah O recently posted..Foster Wellness In Your Community: Shop Local And Independent This Holiday Season
Twitter: saraholeary
Yup, a bunch of people in my life will be getting bath cookies this year thanks to you, Sarah!
Think about it. Even though you’re following a recipe, there are many ways to improvise and be creative in the making of the bath cookies. Then the person who receives them gets the creativity-inducing gifts of self-care, time to pause and reflect (“Bath cookie, take me away!”), and a sensory experience. And both giver and receiver get to have fun and experience delight! It’s the ideal creative gift.
And no way am I giving all the bath cookies away…
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Sue, thank you so much for setting up this important and fun blog circle on consumerism. I feel confident we are making a difference today!
I hadn’t considered how creativity was effected by consumerism. Your question: “How will this support the journey to a more creative and fulfilling life?” is one I will ask my self and my reader’s regularly (I ask questions of the day over on my facebook page) because I think it will make a difference during the holidays and anytime!
Kathy Sprinkle recently posted..The Green Christmas Inquiry – 8 ways to Celebrate with Mother Earth’s Blessing
Twitter: BlissHabits
Yes, that question seems to be the favorite take-away from this post. Thanks for sharing that on your FB page. I love questions!
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
I, too, loved your seed question, oh Gracious Queen of Great Questions:
“How will this support the journey to a more creative and fulfilling life?”
I thought it great that you mention buying for ourselves as well as for others, as inevitably when we’re out and about on shopping excursions more than is our usual habit, we’re more apt to run across some great ‘deals’ that we’d like to have too! ‘Tis the season for unplanned purchases…fa la la la la, la la la la…:D
I think I’m going to buy a few ‘crafty’ supply-type gifts and offer my time as well to teach/help the few wannabe crafters in my life how to complete their handcrafted projects. If they get ‘hooked’ then maybe they’ll end up doing the same for a few others…and so on…:)
Carole Jane Treggett recently posted..Merry debt-free holidays: How to spend less and create more meaning and value this year
Twitter: cjtreggett
Now there’s a fun creative project: rewriting Christmas carols to reflect the consumer frenzy it has turned into! Might have to send that out to the Creative Juice subscribers!
I love your idea of teaching others to make Christmas gifts and the ripple effect that could come from that. I smell a workshop…
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
I rewrite lyrics all the time, Christmas carols included hehe. Only problem is I never write them down, but it’s fun to do and would be a good Creative Juice prompt, I agree!
Hmm, love the workshop idea too…
Carole Jane Treggett recently posted..Merry debt-free holidays: How to spend less and create more meaning and value this year
Twitter: cjtreggett
Consumerism is pretty much the way responds to its lack of imagination, spirituality and creativity.
Conspicuous consumption blocks out the sunshine of truly connecting to our world, muffles, distorts and even poisons our friendships, and undermines our wisdom in day-to-day decision-making, At its best most of it is a frivolous waste of time, at worst it’s insidious self-medication.
Sue’s piece superbly highlights how consumerism and marketing stifle real joy and love, not with obscure intellectual observation, but with real life straightforward truths that get to the very heart of what it means to be human. Pay attention to these tips. You’ll never read better ones.
Simon – Team Wannagot recently posted..Welcome to Wannagot
Twitter: _wannagot
Simon, your passion for this topic really comes through! Can you tell us a bit about Wannagot? It’s such a cool antidote to going out and spending a bunch of money you don’t have on things that already exist and are looking for an owner. LOL, kind of reminds me of the argument for adopting a baby! Please do tell more!
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Sue, thanks so much for your interest in Wannagot.
Wannagot is a free barter, giveaway, and trading site that’s the first to be built around user-generated groups that help build lasting loyalty and trust. We did this because alternative trading structures work far better when they’re based on common interests, occupations and neighborhoods.
Wannagot is a powerful database-driven site that connects and matches user “wannas” with user “gots”. By focusing on the local, it takes advantage of the mainstream revitalization of barter and gift economy structures because of the ever more detailed reach and connectivity of the internet.
How? Because as well as connecting users with anyone in the world, the world wide web is the “neighborhood-wide web” too. It connects you to the people down the block, in your office, or apartment building who you might not otherwise know, as well as to people who share your occupation, passions or interests wherever they are.
And, guess what, those are the people you’re most likely to trust and trade with.
Wannagot lets users set their own value parameters, such as barter only or considered, giveaway with pickup or buy-sell, and makes everything searchable via an ever-growing list of product and service categories. It doesn’t use a complex currency, token or scrip system. It just connects people – and trusts users to do the rest.
Wannagot can be used by schools, clubs, towns, streets, urban gardens, bootstrapping start-ups, co-working spaces, parents groups, sports leagues, and small businesses of all kinds to trade products, skill-sets and services. Any kind of community can start a group, even the followers of a smart and savvy blog like this one!
Needless to say Wannagot is integrated into most social networks and it’s connected to Tumblr and Pinterest too. You can even post a profile avatar to any of your other web pages or blog sidebars, so your other web fan can click to see your profile.
Wannagot adds value, saves money, and reuses resources so it really is green. It’s also a fun and fulfilling way to help you escape the insanity of consumerism and simplify your life.
If you have any questions, just ping Team Wannagot via our twitter handle or contact us through the site. Wannagot’s currently in private beta. Just submit an invite request and once you’re in – set up a group and invite your friends!
Thanks for reading. And thanks again, Sue.
Simon – Team Wannagot recently posted..Welcome to Wannagot
Twitter: _wannagot
My fiance and I have stopped participating in the gift exchange at Christmas altogether. Instead, we see it as a time to reach out and connect with family, friends, and our community as people instead of through things. We did this because we were tired of the financial strain it put on ourselves and our family and the pressure to find that perfect gift – especially in a society based on instant gratification. Everyone we knew had what they wanted, unless it was a new car or something. So now we focus on the family and community aspects of the holiday instead and just buy things for people when we feel like it. And, frankly, we certainly don’t need any more crap building up in the house – we’ve been working on minimizing our belongings as much as possible. Books make it a little tough, though.
FaeNathara recently posted..Flower Energy Cards
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My husband and I are just like you and your fiance. We don’t give each other gifts, either. My son and in-laws expect gifts, so I give them, but my family of origin has opted out as well.
I hear more and more people expressing the same feeilngs as you. Who needs more crap? But for those who do want to participate in the gift exchange, a little bit of mindfulness can go a long way! For example, what a wonderful gift a card reading or coaching session with you would be for someone!
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Hi Fae.You’re a woman after my own heart. My hubby and I are more or less doing the same in our home, but we still succumb to a gift exchangeof sorts with my hubby’s family,who insist on a wasteful Christmas. I do the best I can under the circumstances and make them handmade gifts, and try as graciously as possible to get through their rituals,but it is getting harder and harder for me to continue to be a part of how they ‘do’
Christmas-quite the dilemma that plays out year after year.
The local charity thrift shop is always happy to see me and my mound of goodies I donate come January!
Twitter: cjtreggett
To me, what you’re describing, Carole, might be the saddest part of all–the feelings of resentment, guilt, obligation, betraying our true values, etc.
Jesus must be rolling over in his grave.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Who’s in Charge Here, Resistance or Resolve?
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Sue –
Thank you for inviting me over from Facebook for my two cents.
I’m thinking, though, I might be a bit of a wet blanket to the subject. The Christmas we experience as a culture may pay some lip service to the intended spiritual aspect, but if we were truly being spiritual about this observance, we’d boot the blatantly commercial aspects of it — let alone the family melodrama that so many people inflict or allow others to inflict on us during these times. This “spiritual celebration” has become something we as a culture do without thinking, and because of this we’re manipulated by those who would exploit us through it. Many of us will be selling ourselves into deeper slavery via credit cards to the banks that wrecked our economy this season, and we have only ourselves to blame.
I am reminded of the wedding dowry portrayed in the book “City of Joy,” of how the bride’s family was pretty much selling itself into indentured servitude by observing this custom. It looks ludicrous from the outside, and I’m sure the gross materialism of Christmas must look even more ludicrous from outside our culture than it does even to us.
On a purely personal level, I feel gifts should be offered when we feel the need to give, not because the calendar demands it of us.
– Daniel
Daniel Brenton recently posted..SOPA/Protect-IP – Round 2: Call Your Senator Day
Twitter: DanielBrenton
I knew you’d have something thought-provoking to say! Thanks for stopping by, Daniel.
I don’t feel your comment serves as a wet blanket at all. You won’t find too many Walmart stampeders at this blog.
You’ll probably especially enjoy Carole Jane Treggett’s post in this blog party as she writes about the debt aspect. See the link to her post above.
I love how you called indebtedness “slavery” and your comparison to the dowry in City of Joy. As you said, as a culture, we do these things without questioning, but based on the traffic I’m getting on this post, I’d say there are many people who are ready to rethink the whole holiday circus.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..6 1/2 Ways Consumerism Impacts Your Creativity
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Daniel, how I appreciate your point of view. So glad you took the time to share here. Very cool point about the wedding dowry in ‘City of Joy’. Thanks.
Carole Jane Treggett recently posted..Merry debt-free holidays: How to spend less and create more meaning and value this year
Twitter: cjtreggett
You make so many thought provoking points here, Sue. The one that strikes me the most, personally, is the way that consumerism can promote the expectation of immediate gratification. I’m going to be chewing on that one for a while – I want gratification and I want it NOW!
For me, Christmas is a rush of creativity, with more ideas for gifts than I can possibly carry out, more ideas for decoration and packages and stories than could be done in twenty years. I love picking out/making gifts, and I love receiving gifts, too – whether they reveal that the giver really knows me, or they reveal something about the giver, it’s just fun. I especially love it when I’m surprised by something that carries me back to the wide eyed wonder of childhood, and I really I love surprising others with things in that same vein (which often means hand made)
But I’ve also watched as children in my extended family grew up without that sense of wonder. Instead, they came to see Christmas as a trek from one house to the next, where gifts awaited them at each tree, and they never really saw everyone else open presents. (They were sadly never encouraged to make or buy presents for others). The holiday clearly means something very different to them, and it makes me sad.
(But not so sad that I won’t still enjoy the sparkly rush of creativity!)
Tori, you’re a great example of what Christmas can be. I love your comment about what the gifts reveal about the giver. It is another way of getting to know people, isn’t it?
You may have inspired another post about how to use observation and curiosity to experience the holidays creatively. Brilliant as usual, Tori!
I know what you’re talking about with the kids doing all the receiving and none of the giving, too. I witnessed that and vowed for that to not be the way my son experiences Christmas. It has taken a certain level of maturity for him to start enjoying the giving part, but he does now and is very excited to start making things for everybody. Discovering how much fun it is to give a meaningful gift to someone else is a hugely valuable lesson.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Amen to all your comments! I’m swooping in off a twitter post that I spotted, as an avid upcycler and creative girl. I have almost become Scrooge when faced with the many, many, many “duties” now associated with a holiday that should be focused on the birth of our Savior. Instead, it’s become about endless decorating, gifts, cooking, parties, and other things that take our focus away from the joy of Christmas. All at the same time as exams for my kids and endless family conflict on plans, etc.
So this year, we are decorating less, sending a card we created ourselves on Smilebox (saves money and encourages creativity), making fun bubble ended fleece scarves for all friends, and foregoing the days of cooking for a more simple meal with conversation questions. I’m hopeful that Christ will shine through the holiday more than ever before.
Thanks for letting me share!
Bridgette
Twitter: braitzatl
Bridgette, that’s great that you’re taking a stand for making Christmas more meaningful! Maybe if more people do that, we can get past the insanity.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
I’ve been trying to get our family further away from blind consumerism when it comes to the holidays and to give presents that are mentally/emotionally enriching instead. Slowly, but surely, it’s starting to work. We’re exchanging charitable donations or books instead of knickknacks and ugly sweaters. It can be a hard, but it’s growing on them.
To throw my own hat into the creative-gift ring, I’ve put together two workbooks that are designed to get you thinking about your Self, your goals, and your dreams. One is a grownup activity book (with drawing pages! and puzzles!) and the other is a yearbook (reflect on 2011 to create your 2012!). I’ve had a blast making them, and I’ve got some lovely feedback from other creatives who dig them.
Check them out here! http://www.theheadologist.com/shop
Ellie Di recently posted..Day-to-Day Faith: A Good Sort of Lie
Twitter: Ellie_Di
Ellie, your workbooks look so fun and will have a much more lasting impact on the people who receive them as gifts, way more than those knickknacks and ugly sweaters!
And what a great gift for people to give themselves, too!
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
It’s been a struggle to shift the thinking in our family, but we are doing less gift giving this year. This year we have made a decision to buy the few gifts w need at local or artisan shops.
In fact that is one of the things I talk about it the ebook I wrote for the holiday season, which is less a gift item than a way to keep yourself sane and aligned with your values during the season. You can find it here http://openroadscoaching.com/backpack-bonuses/over-the-river-and-through-the-woods
Your holiday guide for keeping your sanity looks like just what people need at this time of year, Tina! Thanks so much for letting us know about it.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..The 5 S’s: Magic Bullets for Blasting Through Creative Blocks
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
As you know, I’m not consumerist, but recognize a lot here, in the form of how the much-resented obligation to buy holiday gifts I have a hard time affording on a self-employed income leads to focusing on high-paying work projects instead of following my muse.
Twitter: mirandacspencer
Yup.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
I love this thought-provoking series you guys are doing. I’m making handmade gifts this year, among them presents that are consumable (ie bread and soup mixes). And I’m doing way less, which has been a gradual process over the years. I used to drive myself into a frenzy going to the malls and shopping, shopping, shopping…..
Charlotte recently posted..Writerly Gifts, Week Two
Twitter: wordstrumpet
Hi, Charlotte! Glad to hear you’ve been able to move away from the mall frenzy and make a lot of gifts. I’ll bet a lot of people would sure like to get that set of pens you’re giving away on your blog, though!
Headed back there now…
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Sue – I know I am very late to this discussion, but it is absolutely FABULOUS. I’m not sure what parts of it resonate most with me, because they ALL do. I really liked your comment about “Having nothing to do but watch and wonder about the world around you can be just what the Muse ordered.” Yes… And, yes, technology can be a wonderful resource for creatives, but I find that it is ultimately distracting for me as well. I am saving this post because it has so many morsels of delicious information – tips and reminders that I would like to consult throughout the year!
Melissa Crytzer Fry recently posted..Map of Discovery
Twitter: CrytzerFry
So glad you stopped by, Melissa! Thanks for your thoughts on this. Your work on your blog is a great way to help people connect with what is really meaningful in life and inspire them to wander away from their electronic gadgets long enough to discover cool stuff in nature.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..Subscribe to Creative Juice!
Twitter: Sue_Mitchell
Because as well as connecting users with anyone in the world, the world wide web is the “neighborhood-wide web” too. Ellie, your workbooks look so fun and will have a much more lasting impact on the people who receive them as gifts, way more than those knickknacks and ugly sweaters!
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