Chapter 1: The Illusion of Material Joy

I had an intense desire for a specific pair of sneakers. Yet, once I finally acquired them, my excitement fizzled out.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

In this article, I'm opting for a new direction. Typically, my writing centers around basketball updates or current events. However, I stumbled upon a thought-provoking article that inspired me to explore a writing prompt, and I thought it would be an engaging exercise.

This idea was inspired by Michael M-C (though I’m not replicating his entire piece [which you can check out here, by the way]). My writing prompt, sourced from Reggie Paquette’s website, is intended to reflect a Stoic journal entry.

So here we go… Reflect on something I desperately desired and eventually bought. How do I perceive this item now? Was my yearning justified?

It was early 2021. The preceding year was riddled with uncertainties. I was apprehensive about my future, especially concerning my finances, as the world grappled with a pandemic. Having never experienced a lockdown before, I was at a loss regarding what to expect or when it might come to an end.

Consequently, I saved every penny I could during that tumultuous year. I restricted my expenditures, focusing solely on essentials throughout the initial phase of the lockdown. I refrained from making any non-essential purchases.

Yet, the longing was ever-present. To exacerbate the situation, I found myself frequently browsing online shops. During this period, I developed an intense craving for a new pair of sneakers. My love for sneakers is profound; I often peruse sportswear websites and watch numerous reviews on YouTube.

In a typical year before the pandemic, I would purchase around 2–3 pairs. However, I had to practice restraint in 2020. When 2021 arrived, and the world began to reopen, it felt as though the worst was behind us. The pandemic seemed to be receding, and people were gradually returning to shops, which gave me hope that my tutoring services would soon see a resurgence (and they did).

With this newfound optimism, I loosened my financial grip and treated myself to a pair of sneakers I had been eyeing for a while. I justified the purchase by telling myself I had earned it.

The moment was exhilarating. I spotted the sneakers in the store, found my size, and eagerly tried them on. I walked around, even jumping a bit out of excitement.

“I’m going to buy these,” I announced to my nephew as I approached the cashier. My happiness was palpable. There was a surge of joy akin to a child experiencing sugar for the first time as I tapped my card to pay.

As I exited the store, a big smile spread across my face as I envisioned how I would style them and the activities I would enjoy while wearing them.

However, after just a week, reality set in. The sneakers were not as comfortable as I had hoped, and their bulkiness and vibrant red color limited my outfit options.

In the months following my purchase, I found myself only wearing them for outdoor basketball games—perhaps once or twice a week. Now, after owning them for over a year, they still only see action during basketball games, which have significantly decreased due to the heat warnings in my area. I certainly don't want to risk dehydration.

The takeaway from this experience is clear: material possessions do not—and should not—dictate your happiness. It’s essential to refrain from fixating on material desires. True joy is derived from meaningful achievements, quality time with loved ones, and cherished moments spent with pets.