“I’m a Material Girl”: Rediscovering Life Beyond Possessions

In the immortal words of Madonna, “I’m a material girl!” Let’s be honest—aren’t we all, in some way? From the latest smartphones to designer handbags and that Instagram-perfect home decor, we’re constantly chasing the next shiny object. We live in a world where success is measured by what we own, not who we are.

But amidst the glitter and glam, have we forgotten what it truly means to live?

Take a moment to reflect. How many hours have you spent scrolling through online stores, filling virtual carts with things you don’t really need? How often do you find yourself comparing your life to someone else’s highlight reel, wishing you had their car, their wardrobe, their perfect kitchen? We’ve been conditioned to believe that happiness can be bought, that fulfillment comes neatly packaged in branded boxes delivered to our doorstep.

But here’s the truth: the more we accumulate, the emptier we often feel. That fleeting joy of unboxing a new gadget or wearing a designer outfit fades quickly, leaving us craving the next “fix.” It’s a cycle that keeps us chasing, but never truly arriving.

I’ve felt the rush of buying something new and convincing myself it was a reward for my hard work. I’ve been the person who thought that upgrading my belongings would somehow upgrade my life. But somewhere along the way, I realised that the constant pursuit of material possessions was distracting me from what really matters.

When was the last time you sat in silence and simply breathed? When did you last watch the sunset without reaching for your phone to snap a picture? When did you last laugh so hard your stomach hurt, not because of something you bought, but because of a shared moment with someone you love?

Life isn’t meant to be lived through the lens, true joy comes from connection, presence, and the little things money can’t buy. The smell of rain on a summer evening, the warmth of a hug from someone who cares, the satisfaction of creating something with your own two hands—these are the moments that make life rich.

Madonna wasn’t wrong when she sang about being a material girl. In many ways, her words capture the essence of the world we live in. But what if we flipped the script? What if we chose to be more than material girls (and boys)? What if we decided to value experiences over possessions, relationships over status, and authenticity over appearances?

Let’s challenge ourselves to step off the hamster wheel of consumption. Let’s stop chasing the next big thing and start cherishing, grateful for the big things we already have—love, health, time, and the beauty of simply being alive.

Because when all is said and done, the best things in life aren’t ‘things’ at all.

Live for now, live organically.