From the beginning of my memory, money was always something that gave a person an “up” in life, or a “status.” It bought you the nicest clothes, the coolest cars, gave you the opportunity to attend a private school, etc. Not until recently have I come to the realization that money would never buy me happiness. On my twenty first birthday, I was given a pair of Chanel Espadrilles, something I had wanted for quite some time. The moment that box arrived at my doorstep I was enthused, overcome with happiness; but moments after trying on my dream shoes that happiness was gone. Yes I was thankful, and excited but that moment of happiness was just that; a moment. Those shoes would not cure cancer, they wouldn’t give me a 4.0 GPA, nor would they create world peace. So why after all this time, and wishing could something make me feel so empty. The shoes were a symbol of what I wanted to change about myself. I knew that I could no longer rely on material things for my inner happiness and that although fancy shoes are amazing, they would never fill the void in my heart.
What I learned from this brief moment of emptiness was the notion that money will never buy you happiness. Year after year, I always told myself that “this purse”, would make me happy, or these “shoes” would give me an “up” in life, but realistically, material items just bring me down. Shopping had given me a high that was addicting, but minutes later I always felt the same emptiness. What I can take away from this is:
a. Expensive shoes are great, but self-love is better.
b. Yes, buy the shoes but remember who loved you before you wore nice shoes.
Who you are as a person, is not defined by the amount of money you have.