Oh! How we get attached to our fancy gadgets. It’s pathetic. I get it though, because I do it too. We spend $199-$399 on a cell phone and then all of our hard-earned money goes down the drain when the screen cracks. Or it falls into a huge sloshing puddle when you get out of your car on a rainy day. It’s ruined, you didn’t buy accidental insurance, and you have to wait 15 months before you can get a new one without paying full price.
Think about the anguish you felt when your last expensive gadget broke before its time. That’s a lot of emotional energy for something that will be rendered useless in 2-8 years from the date of purchace. The gadgets that we own have fleeting value. The phone that you cared for like a newborn baby will be treated like a hunk of junk in a few short years. Maybe sooner. That emotional energy that you are dedicating to a thing could be used for loving another human being or animal.
I’ve had people snap at me over “misshandling” their items. I’m probably guilty of it too. Think about the anxiety you feel when a child picks up your brand new iPhone. (Curse those sticky and clumsy hands!) All you want to do is snatch it back from them because it might get broken. Real mature, right? Ever notice someone carelessly carrying a cup of liquid around you and your new suede loafers? How quickly do you get away from them? We all have our items that we protect ruthlessly from damage. At the end of the day, these expensive things will eventually become outdated, worn out, broken and in a dumpster.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t care for your items. You should take care of them, but don’t idolize them and carry them around on a golden throne. These items are not kings and queens so stop treating them like royalty. Actually, these things are here to take care of you. I’m not just talking about gadgets. Anything that you might have splurged on: a pair of shoes, a purse, a leather jacket, a GPS device, is here to help you and make your life easier. Nonetheless, you functioned perfectly before you found those items and can function just as well without them.
I’ve been trying to stay away from expensive gadgetry because I know I may get a little too attached to it, and worry about its well-being a little too much. The screen on my Samsung Galaxy Player recently cracked from a 1.5 foot drop. It reminded me of the short life of these items and that I shouldn’t value them over time spent with loved ones. Sometimes it’s easier to have a lower-end phone because I have no desire to worship it.
In the end, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have any of these things because expensive and high quality items serve their purpose while they’re still functional. I’m just suggesting that you choose your gadgets wisely and understand their fallibility before spending your money.
Slow Paced (Living) in the United States 