We have lost the run of ourselves as we bow to unsustainable aspirations

While most of our parents would probably be unfamiliar with the concept recycling or leading minimalistic lifestyles, they invariably had a practical attitude towards all types of material possessions.

Those who were financially secure still tended to patch, darn, paint or repair before discarding either an item of clothing or a piece of furniture.

The ideology of contemporary Irish people was undoubtedly influenced by the Celtic Tiger Era

. Our countryside is dotted with oversized domestic dwellings.

Many are fitted and furnished to the highest standards, others are mere shells of broken relationships and unsustainable aspirations.

They are nearly all empty by day as both parties have to work to service their mortgages.

Those who have been in a financial position to ‘trade up’ from ‘starter homes’ tend to discard, sell, or gift all movable items from their old homes in a materialistic type frenzy that is hard to justify.

While nobody would advocate complete puritanical austerity, a little common-sense would seem to be more appropriate.

It is a matter of interest that some billionaires such as the late Steve Jobs and Mark Zucherberg adopted minimalistic approaches to their respective lives not only in terms of accommodation but of clothing as well.

Such utilitarian type tactics can be contrasted with the attitudes of young teenage girls especially, who cannot wear the same outfit twice on a Facebook posting page.

Perhaps we should all discard some non-essential items and focus on the important aspect of life such as health, happiness and tranquillity.

Margaret Humphreys

Ballynaraha

Blarney

Co Cork