Black Friday is Better Without the Rampant Consumerism

I’m sure you know the Friday after Thanksgiving (in the US) is Black Friday in the retail world. How could you not? You’ve surely been inundated by email, tv, and website ads for weeks about it. Retail’s last desperate gasp to turn a profit before the end of the year.

I rarely venture into a store on Black Friday. If I do it’s typically for a needed grocery item than deal-seeking. In fact, my Black Friday shopping is online.

But this year I didn’t participate. There is nothing I want or need. I’m satiated. And it is a freeing feeling to be satisfied. I am richer for it both via my checking account and my disposition.

I can’t help but think we’d all be better off if we excised consumerism from our holidays. Perhaps we’d experience less anxiety, anger, and greed. And then perhaps we’d instead be filled with gratitude, kindness, and generosity.