I decided to go hang out and work at Starbucks a few days ago. Carrying my very un-cool laptop bag. As I was ordering my coffee and getting a table I was feeling humiliated. My computer bag is so ugly -because it’s old. Tech things get old quickly. I like being cool. That computer bag made me feel un-cool. I instantly decided that this was the last straw. I have to have a new laptop bag. I deserve it. I am cool. This bag doesn’t convey who I am.
Then I remembered. One of the main things I am committed to is to unplug from the societal belief that we need to buy more, and in turn, waste more. I want to live a life where I am happy with enough.
The reason I have this uncool laptop bag is because I chose to get a used one and not buy a new one. I knew that there were probably 100’s of unused computer bags sitting around in closets. So I asked on social media if someone had a computer bag to give me. And a lovely friend gave me this one. There is no reason to generate the production of additional laptop bags. This was one place where I could live my values.
And with a single walk into a Starbucks I almost gave up my values.
I have decided that humiliation is a choice. Being humble does not require being humiliated. Living my value of enough is humbling.
So! Clearly I am not buying a new-very-trendy laptop bag to convey my coolness. My ugly bag has nothing to do with how amazing I am. How up-to-date. How cool. Let’s rock the un-cool! Let’s just be happy with enough.
Amen, Diane!