Personal Narrative: An Annual Buy Nothing Day

An annual Buy Nothing Day would be an excellent event to implement into our society. Within the past few decades, the economy has seen a vast increase in consumerism, and a Buy Nothing Day annually would attempt to break apart a norm that has been around for centuries. My family consistently goes shopping throughout an entire month, typically buying necessities, as well as brand name things. We often don’t realize how much we truly shop, and the effect it has on others. Many people would see this activity as appalling, but if society truly reflects on this idea I believe positive results can be found. Whether Americans would like to admit it or not, the past two generations have seen a wide increase in materialism, and the obsession in brands. In Alissa Quart’s “Branded: The Buying
However, I believe our country has forgotten about one thing: the struggles people who work in retail suffer. Growing up, I saw Black Friday go from starting at 4AM to Black Thursday at 3PM, before Thanksgiving dinner is even out on the table. Retail companies now call in their workers as early as 1PM just to get ready for the rush. I’m not allowed to get a seasonal job after my parents have seen precious, family time stolen from so many friends and family members on Thanksgiving. Retail is a hard field to work in, dealing with all the customers and time consumption, and a day off for Buy Nothing Day will give retail workers a much-needed day of relaxation. Although Buy Nothing Day may seem like a phenomenal idea, there are some people who would argue this would damage the economy. This is a valid point, and something the government would need to workout the flaws in, however, I disagree. As a capitalist and consumer focused nation, so much money goes through circulation in the economy all the time. One day wouldn’t send us into another economic