Affluenza by Oliver James

It's been a while since I have updated this blog but I have been reading! I've not been reading religiously from my reading list but I have been having some wonderful reading experiences.

I would definitely use the word "wonderful" to describe this book, Affluenza, by Oliver James.

As the name suggests, it discusses the "sickness" of the affluent: the unhappiness of the never-ending pursuit of "more" and "better". This book ties in with my interest in minimalism but it goes so much deeper than just "have less stuff." It explores why we feel we need more stuff and it also tells us why capitalism has highjacked everything from feminism to how we value ourselves.

This book was an eye-opener to me as I have been completely taken in by Selfish Capitalist values...not necessarily with material possessions but I am totally guilty of using my career to define my identity and to determine my self worth.

The truth is that this has not always been the case. Prior to the rise of Selfish Capitalism, people were judged by their character, not their earning potential. Motherhood was something that women could be proud of...now society puts mothers at the bottom because they don't get paid a wage. People are unhappy because they feel they can't trust others who are also in pursuit of more and better. Can't we just relax and be happy with what we've got and who we are? Can't we enjoy the beauty of the world around us with the need to possess it? Putting family before career is the recipe for satisfaction and this is totally possible if people would let go of the need to "keep up with the Joneses" and focus simply on their needs.

I had never really thought about a lot of the points James raises in this book but I agree with all of them.

Read this book and free your mind from the never-ending cycle of consumption and dissatisfaction!

Five stars!

-Laurie