All that often comes when one is mature enough to look back, think and understand what really matters in life. Lidl is still a kid, all that counts is »look what I have »!
It seems to me that, somewhere deep inside, Lydia has concluded that the giving of material objects is the way to show love, value, and esteem.
If she has a lot of expensive stuff, it shows that she must be very valuable, very loved.
How excited she was when several companies sent her flowers on her birthday. It proved to her how fabulous she was.
How much she must love Ali because she gave him that big desk. It even had a plaque on it as proof.
How much she must love her best friend because she gave her an expensive handbag.
Do you remember when she was expecting Porter and crazily buying loads of stuff for him. (She loved him so much then before she had him.) She reassured her viewers that she would also be buying lots of things for Lumi too so she wouldn't feel that she loved Porter more. Lumi couldn't give a stuff about objects. Lydia could learn so much from Lumi if she'd allow it.
Also, many of us have suspected that this is at the root of her problems with her mother - that her mother couldn't give her the material things she wanted - and therefore did not love her enough.
The way she acts with Christmas gifts. I know each family is different with this, but I just find their Christmas gift-giving extremely childish, materialistic and vulgar. They show their value for each other in the value of their presents.
Also interesting is that she buys extremely expensive things for herself. She deserves even more than people around her can keep up with. She knows what she needs. More stuff! This is how she shows love to herself.
It's amazing to me that she has managed to build a career around seemingly 'being given' stuff. She must be so valuable because everyone gives her so much. I think this is one of the reasons she doesn't promote these companies in a professional way. I think she thinks that they are literally sending her gifts! For HER. I suppose that is part of the deceit of the whole influencer industry though. It would be more transparent if everyone would just consider these 'influencers' to simply be self-employed advertisers or home-based QVC-type sales people.
Do you remember - was it a beautifully packaged Dior bottle of something? - she actually said that it was too good to open in front of us - it was for HER - her viewers were not valued enough to even SEE it. It was her gift! haha! It was the same video in which she was got so excited over the fantasy of herself one day at the school gate and how, when people saw her with her Hermès handbag and her expensive car, then they would know how fabulous she was.
I think it's going to take some time to sort out this 'influencer' thing in people's minds for what it really is. Problem for our Lyds though, is that it has confused her in a fragile part of her mind and corrupted her natural development. I started watching Lydia several years ago - some time before she moved. I found her fascinating. She had a lovely engaging and fun energy and at the same time a glaring materialistic flaw. It was compelling and entertaining viewing! I think she could have grown out of that flaw in time with the helpful forces that she gathered around her - a sweet man, moderate success, good friends, cats. BUT... Bloody evil forces of capitalism in our society! Without the powerful manipulations of the advertising industry, she could have learned to put material objects in their proper place in her value system. But unfortunately that has not happened, and now things are at crisis point. I feel a lot of compassion for her. Her materialism has taken over. Something has to give. I have confidence that she'll get there in the end but this way is, and will be, extremely painful.
Haha such an epic rant. I haven't even got out of bed yet! It's May vacation where I am. My child is snoozing quietly beside me in bed. Oh, the neighbour's cat has just joined us. Life is sweet.
Love to all!