So, this blog post is going to be a little different from my usual fare. I just wanted to share a recent experience that sparked a whole train of thought and led me to some surprising realizations about my changing interests and priorities. Maybe, you’ll find it relatable?
A few weeks ago, my parents visited me in Bangalore. They made a bunch of friends and had a lot of fun! ✨
One of the days when we were driving to URU Brewpark. My mom casually said, “Maybe you should think about getting a new car?” I was caught off guard. “Why?” I thought. My current car works just fine. It does everything I need it to:
- gets me from point A to point B comfortably
- lets me enjoy my music or an Audible book on the way
- gives me a sense of security on those late-night drives
- It’s reliable, even during Bangalore’s infamous, unpredictable rains.
and honestly, I hadn’t even thought about replacing it. So, why change something that’s working perfectly fine?
Interestingly, this topic came up again recently when someone else suggested that maybe this Diwali, I should consider upgrading. I could do it—sure, a new car would be nice. I found myself questioning if it was really necessary, because honestly, I don’t feel the need
But as I thought about it, It got me thinking about how things have changed.. I didn’t feel that same spark of excitement I used to feel about new things, especially when it came to tech gadgets.
I used to be crazy about tech events—Apple keynotes, Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked, and Microsoft’s Surface launches. Every time a new iPhone, Pixel, or PlayStation was announced, I’d watch every review video, especially MKBHD’s.
I remember drooling over the iPhone X when it first introduced the notch, just wanting to experience it for myself. I even followed every PlayStation launch, even though I couldn’t afford one at the time.
Growing up, I used to dream about how one day,
when I finally had enough money, I’d buy all the cool gadgets I’d always wanted.
I would even sit down and do calculations on how long it would take me to save up for a MacBook, a PlayStation, or the latest iPhone. It was a kind of thrill, imagining my future self being able to afford all these things that once felt so out of reach.
But fast forward to 2022. I was walking through the Forum Nexus Mall in Koramangala, and there it was—a PlayStation 5, gleaming inside a glass showcase at the Landmark store.
The 18-year-old version of me would’ve been beyond ecstatic just to stand there and look at it. Back then, I would’ve given almost anything to afford one, but I didn’t have the money.
This time, though, I had the money. If I’d wanted, I could’ve walked in and bought it right then and there. But something stopped me.
Instead of feeling excited, I thought, “Is this really a good idea?” I knew I’d likely end up spending way too much time playing games and neglecting my other passions. The excitement for owning the PlayStation was still there, but the decision felt different now—it wasn’t a priority anymore.
The same thing happened with my phone in 2022
My OnePlus 7 Pro started giving me trouble. The battery life had plummeted, and even after getting it replaced, it would barely last 3-4 hours. It couldn’t survive a flight from Amritsar to Bangalore without dying.
So naturally, I started thinking about upgrading to an iPhone. I was already using a Mac as my daily driver, and the idea of being part of Apple’s ecosystem was appealing. Plus, I’m a fan of Steve Jobs, and this seemed like the right time to make the switch :)
My sister was visiting from Canada that November, so I asked her to bring me the latest iPhone. I was excited—probably the last time I felt that buzz about owning a new device.
I eagerly waited for her to hand it over. But when I finally held the iPhone in my hand, something strange happened. The excitement vanished in less than 10 seconds. My brain just went, “Okay. It’s just a phone.”
I wasn’t trying to downplay it—it was a genuine reaction. I remembered the time I got my Surface Pro; I was so thrilled I couldn’t stop exploring every feature, every hidden setting. I’d spent months in awe of it. But with this iPhone, a pricier purchase, the enthusiasm faded in seconds.
The weird part is, I’m still very curious. I still get excited about new tech, you’d find me checking out all the new AI models, exploring and trying out new websites and design trends etc. That part of me hasn’t changed.
The only exception
to this recent fading of excitement was the Apple Vision Pro. I wasn’t necessarily planning on owning one, but I couldn’t help but be genuinely curious about it 🙂 I really wanted to try it out. It felt like a leap into the future—something that could potentially change how we experience reality.
Yet, even then, I knew I wouldn’t buy it unless the experience was truly breathtaking. It’s like, in some cases, The urge to possess has given way to a desire to experience. That’s the shift.
or Maybe it’s because I’ve learned to separate my curiosity from the need to possess? Who knows? I guess, my focus has shifted to experiences, growth, and how I spend my time—things that, for me, feel more fulfilling in the long run.
As I reflected on these changes, I came across this quote from a book that struck a chord with me:
“Money gives you the freedom to buy things. But more importantly, it gives you freedom from things.”
It made me realize that maybe it’s not about the stuff we can buy, but about having the freedom to choose what really matters to us and not being tied down by material desires.
Am I the only one who feels this way? Or has this happened with you too? Let me know :)
