Festivals of Goods, Not Feelings?

Letting material possessions go is a hard thing to do. Even harder is controlling the urge to buy something new. Christmas time is here. What was once a quiet family festival has slowly turned into a large corporate affair. Everywhere we look there are adverts, discounts, and loud reminders that it is time to shop again. This is no longer limited to Christmas. Every festival in every religion seems to come wrapped in a layer of sale banners and seasonal offers. And when there are no festivals, companies create their own grand sales to keep the buying mood alive.

Over the years I have tried hard to reduce my material possessions. Fewer clothes. Fewer electronic gadgets. Fewer things lying around for the sake of owning them. I am still deciding whether I should keep my old music system or pass it on to someone who will truly value it. It is heavy and not exactly minimal, yet when it plays, it fills my space with a kind of joy that small bluetooth speakers cannot. For my homestay guests, a small speaker is fine. For myself, I either want good music or only the soft murmur of a good old radio. So perhaps it will stay. But I have promised myself that I will not buy anything new just to listen to music in a slightly different way.

Consumer electronics are one of the biggest drains on both money and mental peace. My phone often runs out of charge while I am working in the orchard. The first thought is always to buy a power bank. But then I ask myself why it really drains so fast. The answer is simple. It is the time wasted scrolling, instead of doing something productive in the orchard itself. Even now after years of trying to be mindful, I still need to remind myself not to fall into that trap. If my phone cannot last the day, it means I have spent more time on it than I should have. Buying another gadget is not the solution. Using the phone wisely is.

The same pattern appears when decorating homes and gardens. There is always one more beautiful thing to add. Another fancy set of tableware. Another cushion. Another decoration for the garden. A three-tiered fountain here and an elevated wooden pathway there. There is no natural end to these desires. Nature teaches a different lesson. A forest does not collect ornaments. It grows, it sheds, it renews, and it remains beautiful without buying anything. So, I let my orchard grow and flourish. Hopefully nature will make it more beautiful with the passing years.

Recently I visited a friend who had beautiful garden ornaments. A large marble statue in one corner. Graceful arches covered with roses. For a moment I felt the desire to recreate something similar in my garden. Then a quieter thought followed. More purchases. More things to maintain. More distraction from what truly matters. If I must spend money, it is better to repair what already exists like my pathways, or care for the land and buy some wildflower seeds, and perhaps plant another couple of trees too.

I often face a dilemma with my camera equipment. The camera and lenses, that I already have, produce lovely photographs but the equipment is heavy and takes space. The idea of selling everything and getting a simpler camera feels tempting. It sounds like simplicity, yet it is still consumerism wearing a different mask. Sometimes minimalism is not about replacing what we have. It is about using what already exists with care.

Every festival has the same hidden motto. Make people buy more. Diwali Offers, Navratri Sales, Eid Offers, Christmas Sales, and lately I have seen Independence Day and Republic Day sales too !

Every day is a gentle tug of war. On one side are advertisements, celebration sales, and constant pressure to own more. On the other side are minimalism, financial wisdom, peace of mind, and a simpler life. With every festive season the noise grows louder. Yet I try to hold my ground. I choose to live within my limite means. I choose to ignore marketing slogans. Simplicity is not deprivation. It is freedom. It is space to breathe. It is respect for the earth and for our own quiet happiness.

If we can celebrate festivals with love, presence, and gratitude instead of shopping bags, perhaps we return to their true meaning. Not a season of buying. A season of being.

P.S. If you want to gift me something, kindly resist the urge. I do not need more items in my life. If you must be kind, financial help or a peaceful holiday are always welcome. Objects are not.

Merry Christmas !

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