The great outdoors is a technical yet widely used term. Fast fashion is also becoming a more common term in the new generations. The quick buying of many products for a short amount of happiness can never compare to a nice stroll in the great Minnesota outdoors. 

Understanding what may make someone truly happy and what may make them happy for a second used to have a very defined line and still should.  The University of Nebraska Department of Physcology  studied this idea. They said, “Doing makes us happier than having”, money should not be able to buy long lasting happiness. Treating yourself from time to time can be beneficial. But the brands listed above convince people to buy many things in the way that the happiness of an arriving item will only last for a little bit. Sooner or later that item will get lost, thrown away or worn out. Therefore, the person has to buy another item for ‘happiness’ and the cycle never ends. 

Happiness can very much depend on your own preference of things in advance. Although some people may enjoy their own time more with the idea of shopping rather than spending time outside with loved ones. To a certain extent spending for yourself may be beneficial, but when is a good time to stop? 

Many people in today’s society want a quick idea to give them a ‘boost’ of happiness easily. OHS English teacher Mr. Doug Wanous said, “If we try to find happiness in a quick way, that usually is fleeting, you know, the happiness that’s really true happiness is accumulated over time.” Mr. Wanous expanded on the fact there is more of a quick fix society coming to be. Understanding how little quick fixes can start to impact society is essential. Whether it’s “hey google” or if it’s on the cell phone, these things allow us to have comfort in fixes that may bring us joy for the few seconds society can use it but then it’s over.

Soon people are going to be wanting more and more of a ‘happy fix’ and then people can’t really appreciate what true happiness is without green paper. It is important to understand that these impulses can highly impact someone’s cognitive thought. 

What someone considers happiness differs from person to person. The Greater Good Magazine said, ”The pursuit of Happiness is on an individual level.” Now understanding that each individual person may have their own idea of money, fame or success, yet also understanding these fixes should no longer begin to patch our already quite broken way of thinking. 

There are so many other things that one can enjoy without stressing about money in today’s day and age. Enjoying the nature outside should come into play. Maybe understanding and harnessing Mother Earth will allow humans to make better decisions without money heavily involved. Allowing this topic to come into play may cut off fast fashion brands. 

Many brands such as Fashion Nova, Zara and Wish are causing chaos in peoples’ mentality when deciding what happiness may be defined as. Having apps and game purchases right at the fingertips of young people really destroys the way society might view happiness. Using this system creates a “‘retail therapy’ that many young teens are now experiencing. 

The UN Environment Programme has researched that adding a quick stop of fast fashion will “redesign fashion future.” This company is resigning actual fashion but also the more metaphorical ‘fashion of our actions.’

Adding a stop to fast fashion will only allow society to realize that the money they spend is not worth everything. Considering that now people would have more awareness of our outdoors we can help prevent fast fashion companies from spreading and continuing to ruin our happiness, gratification and the outdoors. You can help by donating to local and national charities such as the National Wildlife Federation, Frank Woodfill Refuge, and Outdoor Alliance for Kids to support the outdoors rather than make the outdoors seem like another ‘quick fix.’ 

Supporting and volunteering time to local and more global foundations will truly improve our overall well-being and happiness. Besides cutting out fast fashion completely and volunteering or donating our time not money, there are other ways society can work on impact. Another way to implement a slower stop to fast fashion could be to stop online returning and allow people to realize the impulses they may be experiencing. State of the Plant said, “Online shopping, available day and night, has made impulse buying and returning items easier.” Having the relaxation of a fallout plan if you need to return an item will greatly benefit your thinking before purchasing an item. 

Although it is one’s own choice on how to spend their money, rather than investing in a cute top from Wish that will fall apart in three days, can’t we invest our time in something to better society? There is no cost but your time to put towards this. Using the nature and the outdoors given to us would be a much better cause to invest in.

Anyone can donate their time to charity. This week, also known as ‘Max Week’, is more focused towards donating our time and some money to charities. During this week, OHS is supporting a foundation for abused children. Though they may be donating money and time, to help any organization will make a lasting impact on our society.