*Warninng* Before you read on, this is a rant lol ;-)
Today as I got the mail I saw this printed on the side of a groupon box in the lobby (I attached a photo). It really got me thinking how dependent most people are on consumerism. To the point of a company printing "Happiness has arrived" on the side of their boxes...and really got me thinking...because the more and more I get familiar with the mustachian way of life, it really makes me think about the lifestyle I left behind. Constantly building up debt, throwing money at everything I felt I "wanted" or "needed", manicures and pedicures every week, going shopping every week, etc. From my perspective now, it makes me sick to think how I've spent most of my life wasting so incredibly much.
With that being said, it makes me absolutely sick when I see people throwing away so much of their "freedom" with unnecessary things, now that I know the truth. So many things today are defined by the things you own. You are considered "successful" if you are making $150,000 per year, drive a overly expensive car, have a huge house that's overly decorated, etc. but the debt for that car, the house, the over the top decorations, etc. are never considered by most people when they see that "successful" person.
So many of my "friends" think I'm crazy for how I've changed my life style. Granted I have changed, I'm no longer that shopping/mani-pedi/dinner out every night friend, the person there to help spend money, and I have lost pretty much all of my so called "friends" in the process. Instead I'm working extra hours, and concentrating so much of my time and energy to fix the mistakes I've made in the past. It's gotten so bad the only supporters I have are my parents and my fellow mustachians here.
This lifestyle has also helped motivate me to change my eating habits to very healthy, clean, and cheaper (farmers markets). Which also just annoys everyone as well.
This change has definitely been brining some annoying things I've been dealing with, and it does get really hard at times. But I don't care. I realize how vital this life change is, and when I have reached financial independence and an early retirement, all of the doubters who didn't even want to "hear me out on my reasons" will see what I was talking about. It does get lonely at times.
So overall it's so frustrating when you try to share your reasoning with people, but they are too stupid to listen and write me off as "the crazy person who doesn't ever enjoy life".
I am thankful, however, that I realize that the people I called "friends" are not even close to being friends. So much for supporting you through everything in life. So it does get pretty lonely sometimes.
Can anyone else relate? What are your thoughts? Do you have a good support system outside of the community here?