I’m a consumerist, and I love to buy stuff.
Why?
I feel (or falsely believe) that buying a new… something… will make me a better person. It will make me happier. More joyful. Meet more of my potential.
I am a sucker for Apple products. I want to “think different”— and I think buying a new iDevice will help me think “outside the box.”
The truth: no device, or consumerist product will help you be more creative.
How to be more creative:
- Be frustrated with shitty stuff in the world, and endeavor to make something better. Aka, scratch your own itch. Or be the change which you wish to see in the world. Or seek to build things that you would like to use.
- Use shitty tools: For me, using shitty tools helps me innovate myself out of the restrictions. For example, using an old or shitty camera forces me to shoot monochrome and simplify my photos. Also, when my devices get old and slow, I need to UNINSTALL superfluous apps, or “bloatware”— which actually helps me focus on my work, and not get distracted playing dumb games or screwing around with new apps.
Why, Why, Why, Why, Why?
Always ask yourself “Why?” At least 5 times before buying something.
This will help you get to the ROOT of why you want something, or need something.
Do you buy stuff for a status symbol? To unlock your creativity? Because you’re bored, and want excitement in your life? Why, why, why, why, why?
Know Yourself.
There is no “right” or “wrong” reason to buy stuff.
I’m also not telling you to not buy stuff. I’m just telling you,
Know your own personal motives, truly, honestly…why you want to buy something, before you do.
This will help you have less buyer’s remorse, and realistic expectations of the stuff you’re buying.
And ultimately, I’m just giving you advice that I’m giving myself.
BE STRONG AND PROSPER,
ERIC
Join ERIC KIM FORUM if you need help buying a new camera, gear, or need feedback.
HOW TO CONQUER GAS
GAS: (Gear Acquisition Syndrome): wanting to buy new cameras, because you feel like your photos aren’t good enough, because your camera isn’t good enough:
- No Camera Lasts Forever
- Why Do We Buy Cameras?
- Why Camera Companies Want You to Be Perpetually Dissatisfied With Your Gear
- DSLR CAMERAS ARE LAME.
- Why You Shouldn’t Go Into Debt For Your Photography
- PHOTOGRAPHY SLAVES
- How to Conquer GAS
- How to Stop Pixel-Peeping
- Why I Shoot With One Camera and One Lens
- 30 Tips to Conquer G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)
- Gear Allergy Syndrome
- Disregard Differences, Notice Similarities
- More Megapixels, More Problems
- Sensor Envy
- If Your Camera Isn’t Good Enough, Your Camera isn’t Expensive Enough
- How to Be Grateful For What You Have
- Having No Choices is the Ultimate Freedom
- Technology Won’t Fix Your Problems
- Why is Image Quality Important?
- Why Sharpness is Overrated in Street Photography
CAMERA MONEY
Illustrations by ANNETTE KIM x HAPTICPRESS.
