Marketing , Rant , Sexy Life
The whole slogan *do what scares you* it’s overated – and that is a fact.
This life that I have gets in the way of my writing.
I have a job, from 9 to 6. Like a normal American person. It feels right for this right moment. And I am trying to do it all. Just like you. But in in the process my brain freaks out and creates unnecessary thoughts.
The other day, I was in my hip mood, dancing and all and then I just start thinking “you are too comfortable, you should be doing the things that scare you”. And for a moment I almost embrace that thought. But I know better.
I do think about doing “what scares me.” You know because you hear that all the time, every where. But come on! There are a lot of things that scare me and I am not doing. Like I am really scared of taking a bath really late a night with out my man in the house. Because I think somebody is going to come in and kill me. I never will never do it! I will never take a shower later at night with out somebody in my house. I guess I am a wimp.
Sometimes I think I should just write down all the things that scared me and do them all, just for fun. To make my life more adventurous.
But, not today.
And I know the whole slogan “do what scares you” should be positive and encouraging but is not, at least not for me.
I lived like that for a long time, I did too many things on the name of that slogan. And a lot of them where very stupid mistakes. So NO don’t do what scares you. Do follow your dreams, be kind and work hard!
The man of the big ideas in the Douglas household and I decided to do some mini-spring cleaning. Between trying to get rid of stuff and organizing some things I could not stop thinking about all the crap I have. Seriously, even though I am a get rid of stuff kind of girl, I still manage to keep tons of unnecessary, and unimportant things. And of course I do, I can never resist some cutesy, gutsy, sparkly waste of my money I see at Target, H&M or anywhere, sometimes even Walgreen’s.
Even though I presume of being a rehabbed shopaholic, I still buy more than what I need. It’s obvious just come and take look at my closet; embarrassing.
And now I am sitting in my living room, looking around, and I am so grateful for all the stuff I have. Like always, I feel a bit guilty. You know, because I know there is someone in the world at this same exact second suffering, hungry, or in need of some type of health service. And that is not fair. That breaks my heart in little tiny pieces.
And sometimes when I look at everything I own, I don’t want it anymore. I want to give it away. Yeah! And prove just to me that I don’t need it. That I would probably be happier with out it.That all I need is my man, my dog and a pair of sparkly turquoise shoes. I am at a point in my life where having nothing excites me as much as having it all. Whatever all means.
How many more things do I need?
How much space do I need to take?
200 pairs of shoes? 500?
Does all that stuff really makes me better?
Happier?
The answer is common sense now, obviously all the stuff has no true value in my life. The true happiness comes in those moments when I take chances, when I live in spirit, following my bliss. And in true business I know the sparkly stuff is just a side of the Ego to distract me from my true duty.
When I was in college I decided to study Marketing. It sounded fun, even though I had no clue what it was. Throughout my years in college I understood marketing so well that it became a part of me. Getting a degree in Marketing changed my life forever. I started to question the material things I had and the things I wanted. Like “do I really want to buy all my clothes in Abercrombie & Fitch or is this need inside of me is a product of marketing?” I came to realize that I was as happy shopping at Target and that my Cartier watch had the same or less sentimental value than the 10 dollar watch I got from my little nephew. Life got better. I started to enjoy simplicity.
I understood name brands and I was happy because I felt I was smarter than the marketing ads around me telling me I should have the new Luis Vuitton (LV). By the way, I traumatized my brother for life. He is the type of guy that doesn’t understand purses or shoes, you know the guy probably has two or three pairs of shoes and that is too many for him. Anyway, it was a time when I was obsessed with LV and my obsession was contagious and before I knew it my older brother was talking couture. It was very funny.
Anyway, back when I was feeling empowered with all my marketing knowledge. It was a very exciting for me because I was feeling smarter and I was buying things for quality not for the name tag. I questioned everything, like “do I really, really, really, want this? do I need it? Or, is it pure consumerism? Or is it because I saw it in a magazine?” But I never questioned the food I was buying until recently. I mean seriously I went through college buying a coke and a snickers bar for breakfast. Was I drinking Coke because I liked the flavor? Or it was simply because it was there in the super market and that was the thing to buy? Recently, until my husband brought it to my attention, I didn’t realize my insane love for McDonald’s.
Think about it. Do you actually crave a hamburger or is the TV ad playing in your head over and over again tricking you into thinking you need it? What is it? Do you really know what are your favorite food is? Is pizza really your favorite? How do you know?
The food industry spends a lot of money on marketing. Just in 2010 the fast food industry spent $4.2 billion dollars on marketing in the United States. Where do you think all that money is going? What is their purpose? What are they doing to you? It all goes to create a necessity specialized and customized for you my dear.
I know obviously you are thinking “Look, I know I love brownies and ice-cream, I know I love Mexican food, I was born the first time I had a quesadilla, enchiladas and I are best friends and I cry when I eat a rib-eye, no one tricked my mind.” You are right. I know you love those foods because they taste good. But be aware that there are companies paying a ton of money to make you buy those things. And it all starts with a little crave. And the little crave started with something you saw or something that reminds you of that cheesy pizza.
The food pictures in your mind most of the times are determined by a collective customized marketing plan.
When I am in other countries I never miss any of my favorites foods. I really don’t, because I am just cool like that. I sometimes come back and find out I really didn’t like that particular thing I used to loved so much. Like I used to loved almond milk. I was drinking it with anything before my trip to Italy. I used to put it in tea and whatever I could. Now, that I am back I think it is just o k a y. I don’t care for it as much. And that is when I think “well maybe was all the subliminal messages around it made it taste better.” DAH!
I don’t doubt you know what you like. But how much is really truly your desire. And how much is the huge billboard with a picture of a juicy hamburger?
People have a very hard time in this country loosing weight, that is not news. I mean we go from diet to diet with out getting any results. And I believe with my whole big heart that in part it’s because of the way food is marketed. Yeah you got it my love, those extra 15 pounds you can’t loose since 2006 are all marketing’s fault. Well not really, I just lied to you. I mean it’s marketing’s fault but come on, those donuts and breakfast tacos helped, too. But in serious business it doesn’t help that we are in fact constantly bombarded with very decadent food messages.
Be aware. And don’t let them get you that easy! Are you really going to have lunch at Olive Garden today because the quality of the food is exquisite and you know they have the best manicotti in town or is it because last night you saw about 30 commercials telling you about their lunch specials while watching your favorite show?
Smart up about your food intake. Don’t let those bastards get to you!
Since the Swagger Wagon (I can’t pronounce that) from Toyota adds I haven’t liked any car commercials until this one. I think this one is just funnily brilliant, and it reminds me my nephews.
I like when a commercial treats the consumer with respect and gets creative. Well done VW!
Leave A Comment