[simple_phrases]

It's a choice, often an emotional one. One message our society sends is that power, expression and escape can be achieved through buying things.

I came to a point in my life pretty early where I realized that I don't need much. Also, I don't really give a shit about proxies for status, and that the people who do care about those proxies rarely are people that I want in my life in any significant fashion.

In a way, I've self-selected a social circle that doesn't pressure me into adopting principles and behaviors surrounding consumption that I don't agree with.