Living (and Buying) Unconsciously

by Marily | More from this Blogger

25 Apr 2006 10:37 PM

Oprah Winfrey has been doing a series of shows titled America's Debt Diet. During these shows, she has followed three families and their struggle with enormous debt. One way that Oprah explains why people get into so much debt in the first place is that they are living unconsciously. This thought really intrigued me. The more I thought about it the more I realized that it was true.

Living unconsciously happens when we make decisions without regard to their consequences. We might do what feels good or makes us happy at the moment and repress thoughts of consequences or repercussions. In that instance we might notice ourselves deciding not to think about what the consequences really are. Instead we tell ourselves to ignore the consequences, whatever they may be, and do what our desires tell us to do.

Probably most of us have had experiences where we have spent money unconsciously. This happens when we have an impulse to purchase something and instead of thinking the purchase through logically, we decide not to think about it, and only to buy it. Sometimes we justify an unwise purchase by telling ourselves that we deserve it. I can think of times in my life when I have done this. I can even remember the feeling of not wanting to think about the real consequences but only wanting to make myself happy at that moment.

This type of decision-making never turns out to be good for me or any of us. Instead it leads to a habit of buying unconsciously and thinking that we deserve to have good things, whether we can afford them or not. This only leads a person into debt and serious financial problems.

In order to not fall into this pitfall, commit yourself to live totally aware and accountable for the choices and purchases that you make. You will increase in confidence and control of your life.

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mama_rhapsody (405) 28 Aug 2006 03:17 PM

Sadly I've done a lot of living unconsciously. That is why my bank account is so depleted, but now I'm getting on the right track! I only hope that everyone who lives that way eventually comes to and realizes that saving money can make you happy too!