The easily influenced vs the era of influencing

It's easy to imagine oneself above the obviously false nature of product placement or influencers, because in some way, it can feel like a fault of character to give in. Unfortunately, I personally have never been immune to the siren call of any of it. I almost never end up actually purchasing anything unless it serves some sort of day-to-day purpose, but the main reason for my restraint is not found in anything strength of character. I am simply too lazy to go through the hassle of ordering anything, and I tend to forget about most things after one day.

I think that there must be some sort of balance to strike between allowing yourself to be influenced by those around you and sticking to what you know works for you. I struggle a lot with having a clear view of myself as it is, and the way that influencers and businesses have inserted themselves into every aspect of our everyday life certainly doesn't help with people's images of themselves. We are so often told how we are meant to be in this world and exactly what we need to buy to achieve that version of ourselves. I also think that the more that marketing is integrated into every piece of media we consume, the more normalized it becomes and the more easily people are influenced.  It's important to keep track of who you're listening to. Is it someone who has your best interests at heart, or is it a corporation whose only interest is in your money? My general outlook is to get what you think is cool, and if you're seeing it as part of a campaign or as a part of a trend, maybe give yourself a few days to consider whether you really want the object or whether you want the vision that the brand is selling. 

All of this to say, I almost purchased a pair of frameless glasses today because I saw a picture of Lola Tung wearing a pair, and I would give a lot in this life to be as cool as her. Unfortunately, those glasses in any other context are ugly, and I received that clarity in the form of a harsh and direct beam of light to my brain in the middle of my shift at work. I am guilty of being blinded by people I think are cool and being tricked into getting things I do not think are cool, and I'm sure that must say something about me, although perhaps it just says that I have a flimsy sense of self. 

Once, I saw a character drink a Snapple in a show, and I was so filled with the immediate and aggressive need for one that I made my poor mother stop on her way home from work to pick one up. So. 

As a child, I also saw that ad for pillow pets about 1 gadrillion times, and it certainly worked, but you know what, I loved that pillow pet and I love Snapple, so it's not all bad. Go forth and make healthy purchasing decisions!!

The glasses in question (not worth it)

The Snapple in question (most certainly worth it)

p.s. If there are typos in here, which I'm almost certain there must be, you give it your best guess, and I will live in blissful ignorance because I seldom re-read these.