Grief and the marketing world

[DWS]

I might be creating this post just for my own sheer delight but after deleting more emailed store ads in my inbox this morning telling me of their awesome, once-a-year, never-before sales day events, I do get a bit of a laugh at how far off they are if they expect any action and profits out of me! Other than food for me and the cat, toiletries, cleaning products, occasional gift cards for birthday presents, and stuff that I've needed to keep up the maintenance of my house, there has been very little else bought over these past couple of years. The larger truth of it is that the marketing world with their continual ads of promise for creating happiness and good times with friends and family has not made things easy on my grieving heart. So there's been a lot of tv muting and quick email deleting going on in this household. If nothing else, grief has made it very easy on my wallet!!!

[WithoutHer]

54 minutes ago, DWS said:

I might be creating this post just for my own sheer delight but after deleting more emailed store ads in my inbox this morning telling me of their awesome, once-a-year, never-before sales day events, I do get a bit of a laugh at how far off they are if they expect any action and profits out of me! Other than food for me and the cat, toiletries, cleaning products, occasional gift cards for birthday presents, and stuff that I've needed to keep up the maintenance of my house, there has been very little else bought over these past couple of years. The larger truth of it is that the marketing world with their continual ads of promise for creating happiness and good times with friends and family has not made things easy on my grieving heart. So there's been a lot of tv muting and quick email deleting going on in this household. If nothing else, grief has made it very easy on my wallet!!!

Agree 100%. Other than food, household and critter supplies I've purchased little for myself personally and none because of their flaky ads and promo gimmicks. I know what I want when I'm ready. Just today which I was going to put in the whining thread I got the usual once every other month LAST CHANCE $1.00 offer from Potomac Edison to get a smart thermostat. 1st off I rent and they know this it's on my account. 2nd this place has baseboard heat which I don't use. Those thermostats they offer can't control 220 volt heating elements.

I just shake my head and move on. 

[HisMunchkin]

6 hours ago, DWS said:

The larger truth of it is that the marketing world with their continual ads of promise for creating happiness and good times with friends and family has not made things easy on my grieving heart.

Can you explain why that is? 

[DWS]

5 hours ago, HisMunchkin said:

Can you explain why that is? 

They're constant reminders of what was: the backyard party scenes selling patio furniture and strings of lights; local ads showing outdoor markets and festivals; tourist ads for lakeside villages....etc etc.  It's a familiar world that I'm no longer a part of anymore and for the time being, don't have any interest in it. 

[widower2]

I hear you, although I've pretty much always muted the TV during commercials, ignored online ads, etc, so the loss didn't really change things too much for me. That said, as retirement nears, I do in fact plan to spend on more than just the basics. Why not? Can't take it with you. 

[KayC]

8 hours ago, widower2 said:

Can't take it with you.

Mine seems to all go for home repairs, medical, etc.

 

[DWS]

1 hour ago, KayC said:

Mine seems to all go for home repairs, medical, etc.

Yes...right now, mine just goes to basics and any necessities that current circumstances call for. I look at it as part of living/thriving within the one-day-at-a-time mindset with no big expenses going to future sights or plans. Now having said that, I have been in the midst of fixing the back deck this past month...replacing boards and securing its infrastructure...so I guess in a way, I am looking beyond today to protect myself from any possible accidents walking on it in the future!

[Boggled]

22 hours ago, WithoutHer said:

I know what I want when I'm ready.

me too.   Really I sort of think "shopping" even if you just LOOK online, don't even BUY anything, is an expression of YOU, and it's an act of BEING, that helps to recognize yourself in this time of grieving losing the huge connection with our partner.

[HisMunchkin]

22 hours ago, DWS said:

They're constant reminders of what was: the backyard party scenes selling patio furniture and strings of lights; local ads showing outdoor markets and festivals; tourist ads for lakeside villages....etc etc.  It's a familiar world that I'm no longer a part of anymore and for the time being, don't have any interest in it. 

Oh I see.  You probably don't do Facebook, I would imagine?