Kampong Culture - Buy Less Choose Well

{Kampong}
A Malaysian village

Sitting in a simple kampong house at the foothills of Broga, I can’t help but notice that there’s something about this place that keeps pulling us back here. I suspect it’s the uncanny similarity to our life in Raumati that we have gotten accustomed to and still keep turning back to when we need to maintain our equilibrium. Plus, the hubbs has family living here so it’s a good excuse to escape the city for a quick recharge.

We have a lot to learn from the lives of kampong folk. Or rather to unlearn from our complicated urban selves.

Plus living surrounded by nature keeps humans grounded.

When people are presented with limited options they learn to make calculated choices. Their decisions are driven by practicality and resourcefulness. Buy only what they need and use it till the end of its life. Fix it if it’s broken and pass it on if someone else needs it.

When there are too many choices available our lives feel inadequate more than ever. The ‘wants’ never cease, surpassing any notion of ‘needs’. What is perceived as happiness or success then becomes nothing more than a comparative measure of material belongings relative to those around us.

If we don’t pull back on this crazy consumerist culture imagine the sort of consumers our kids will grow up to be. What do we really want to teach them? By their own nature kids don’t care if their t-shirt is faded or if their shoes don’t match their outfit. Nope, they have bigger things to do – like riding elephants.

Anyway, the reality is that our consumer habits are causing some serious damage to our planet and people. And yes, it will take time and hard work to change that. The good news is that we can start making little changes right now.

1. Do I REALLY need this?
   Sure it would be nice to have another $5 t-shirt to add to your collection, but chances are you probably don’t need it. Life will be the same without it so learn to separate your ‘wants’ from ‘needs’….your wallet will thank you for it later!

2. Will I look silly wearing this when no one else is?
   Yes it’s tempting to get the latest trends when they’re on sale, but remember that this seasons ‘must haves’ will quickly become next season’s ‘must not haves’. So if it’s not something you would normally wear and doesn’t really blend in with the rest of your wardrobe then you’re better off not giving in to that impulse purchase.

3. Is it going to last?
   When you buy something really cheap, that exactly what you’re getting! Whether clothes or lifestyle products, there’s no point in buying something that’s badly made and going to be chucked away or donated after a few uses or worse still, something you’d come home to find that doesn’t even work!

We can all choose to be conscious consumers by adopting the kampong culture. Live with less stuff, make your hard earned money work for you and don’t be a victim of mindless sales gimmicks. The final call is ultimately yours, while there is still a choice.