I'm broke, I'm young, and I own a lot of nice things. I also like to eat at trendy places where four cocktails cost more than a full tank of gas. Are my priorities outside the norm due to my obsession with owning and experiencing beautiful things? Yeah, probably. Do I buy these things because the rude thoughts people could have about me will adversely effect my self esteem? No, I do it because nice things brighten my day, and make me proud to own them. Some people hide their bargain barn purchases deeper inside their closets than the site I used to set up camp for 17 years. I wear a shirt I bought at Walmart three years ago on a regular basis. If it makes me feel proud of the way I look it's well worth paying retail, be it from Barney's or Dollar General.
Confusion is paramount when people criticize products I choose to indulge in by saying, "I can't buy expensive things because I won't take care of them." I don't mean to rain on your parade, but that doesn't have a damn thing to do with me. If I spend money on a product, I intend to keep it for the duration. If you endeavor to own nice things how can you not also endeavor to take pride in your possessions?
In the same vein, when people tell me they can't go to nice places with me because they "don't belong there," I have a correspondingly hard time accepting their sentiments. If you don't understand my buying items to further my confidence, how can you not feel confident in any situation by default? Those who criticize the well dressed often offer up nuggets of condescension such as "I'd never spend that much on sunglasses, I don't care what people think of my clothes." Well, if that's the case, what qualms should you foster towards going somewhere for cocktails or dinner where people go to take a break from their monotonous routine? For some, like me, paying a little more for a drink to let someone else take care of everything for a little while so I can enjoy my friends and a change of scenery seems moot. The opposition says I'm an elitist, but in actuality I'm nothing more than an equal opportunity indulger.
Listen, I get it. You're all concerned for my well-being, you want me to save my money so I can be a functioning adult. Rest assured knowing I'm higher functioning than most, and there's no part of me that cares for your judgement. I don't buy nice things and go nice places because your opinions of me have any baring on my happiness, but the things I call my own do. Isn't that what really matters?
Hop off, world.
Sincerely,
An angsty, slightly inebriated 21-year-old.
