– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

[Music]

hello and welcome back to the English

dialogue podcast I am Mike your co-host

and I'm Emma it's great to have you here

with us again today we're diving into a

topic that seems to be affecting so many

people's daily lives how social media

influencers encourage a NeverEnding

cycle of consumption making us feel that

to be happy we must constantly buy more

right lately I've noticed a pattern on

Instagram Tik Tok and YouTube

influencers show off new products every

week New Clothes gadgets Cosmetics cars

and vacations the message is subtle but

powerful if you want to be happy if you

want a fulfilling life you need to keep

up and purchase the and greatest and

what does that do to our sense of

gratitude it almost completely Sidelines

it the idea of being thankful for what

we already have becomes less important

instead we feel we're inadequate if we

don't keep buying it's like our

selfworth is tied to how much we consume

think about how dangerous this mindset

can be traditional wisdom often tells us

happiness isn't found in material things

it's found in relationships experiences

and personal growth but influencers

often backed by brand deals and

sponsorships push this idea that

happiness is just one purchase away they

rarely say appreciate what you've got

instead it's look at this new item you

must have this constant push chips away

at our ability to appreciate what's

already in our lives it's not just about

stuff this mindset can also make us feel

that our normal everyday life is dull

suddenly what we have isn't good enough

our older phone our comfortable sofa our

weekend plans with friends they start to

feel less exciting compared to the

flashy Lifestyles we see

online let's consider how influencers

craft their image they show carefully

curated moments perfect lighting

Flawless outfits exotic travel

destinations and brand new possessions

it's always something fresh and

appealing we see their unboxing videos

their Hall segments their affiliate

links telling us you need this now over

time we internalize the message that if

we don't keep up with these endless

upgrades we're somehow missing out our

gratitude Fades because we're taught not

to cherish what's already there and it's

important to understand the economic

incentives behind this influencers often

earn money through commissions on

products they promote their job is to

make you desire more if they posted a

message urging you to say hey look

around aren't you already blessed their

revenue might suffer so they double down

on making the old feel outdated and the

new feel

essential there's a real psychological

toll here when people constantly feel

that they need more material items to be

happy they never reach a state of

contentment it's always just one more

thing and then you'll feel fulfilled but

that moment of fulfillment never truly

arrives the next day there's something

else to buy this cycle leads to anxiety

restlessness and even depression we're

chasing a horizon that keeps moving

farther away exactly in the long term

this erods our well-being instead of

cherishing the everyday Pleasures like a

home-cooked meal a walk in the park or

laughter with friends we become fixated

on what we lack gratitude is a key

ingredient to mental health it grounds

us reminds us that we have enough that

we are enough when influencers

discourage gratitude and push

consumerism they're robbing us of an

essential tool for happiness have you

ever noticed that when you step back

from social media for a few days you

start to appreciate the little things

more

I've found that when I'm not scrolling

through someone's feed of constant new

stuff I'm more at peace I look around my

home and think this is comfortable

instead of this is

outdated I've definitely felt that a

digital detox can do wonders without the

constant comparison suddenly the things

you own regain their charm and utility

you remember why you bought them in the

first place you realize that what you

have is actually quite good and you

don't need to replace it just because

someone online said there's a cooler

version let's break down how influencers

discourage gratitude in more concrete

terms first they rely on novelty the new

collection drop the limited edition the

latest release everything is framed as

urgent and

Superior this novelty Factor makes our

current possessions seem stale instead

of being thankful that our current

jacket keeps us warm we're made to feel

it's so last

season second influencers often employ

aspirational imagery they look

effortlessly happy and fulfilled in

their posts we subconsciously link their

Joy to the products they're showing off

our minds conclude that to feel that

same joy we must follow their example

and purchase those items we never see

them say I'm content because I value

what I have it's always tied to the

external third they rarely mention

sustainability or mindful consumption

The Narrative is about endless growth

and endless acquisition gratitude

involves acknowledging that we have

enough that we don't need more stuff

cluttering our lives but influencers

discourage this equilibrium because it

halts the purchasing cycle they don't

profit from you being content with your

old phone after all this mindset affects

not just individuals but Society at

large if everyone's racing to buy more

we're putting tremendous pressure on the

environment we're also normalizing a

pattern of life that values possessions

over

connections gratitude could help us slow

down cherish what we have and make more

conscious choices but we need to push

against the narrative influencers create

and I think one solution is to diversify

who we follow if your feed is filled

build with influencers who always push

products maybe follow people who

encourage sustainable living minimalism

or gratitude practices some creators

focus on appreciating life's Simple

Pleasures nature walks homemade crafts

family dinners and don't tie happiness

to buying new things we can also

practice daily gratitude

ourselves start each day by listing a

few things you're thankful for this

simple habit trains your mind to Value

what you have rather than always looking

for the next big purchase when you do

see an influencer post you'll be more

resistant to the impulse to think you

need what they're selling and let's

remember influencers lives aren't always

as perfect as they appear many are under

contract to promote certain

products sometimes not even using them

genuinely the images are staged the

constant stream of must have is often

just marketing keeping that in mind

helps break the spell it's also worth

noting that gratitude can bring us

losting joy while the thrill of buying

something new Fades quickly research

shows that we adapt to new possessions

and they become our new normal gratitude

provides a more stable form of

Happiness by being thankful we anchor

ourselves in the present moment we

recognize how fortunate we are to have

shelter food loved ones and basic

Comforts this contentment doesn't vanish

like the novelty of a new Gadget imagine

if more people embraced gratitude

instead of chasing more we might see

less stress less Financial strain and

fewer feelings of inadequacy we could

shift our values away from I need this

to be happy to I already have so much to

be grateful for influencers might change

their tune if their audiences demand

authenticity and balanced

messages we have the power to choose who

influences us not all influencers

promote overc consumption some encourage

reusing repairing and cherishing what

you have by supporting them we send a

market signal that we value contentment

and balance over endless

buying exactly we can reshape the

conversation instead of blaming all

influencers we can amplify those who

spread mess mesages of gratitude and

mindful living over time this could

create a healthier online culture where

happiness isn't sold in a package so if

you ever feel the pull to buy more just

because an influencer said so pause ask

yourself am I really lacking this or am

I being made to feel that way remind

yourself of what you already own and how

it serves you chances are you'll see

you're doing just fine and if you catch

yourself longing for something you can't

afford or don't genuinely need try a

gratitude exercise think about what you

have a functioning phone clothes that

keep you warm a Cozy home friends you

can talk to that's a lot to be thankful

for in the end the biggest lesson is

that happiness comes from appreciating

what we already have not from the

endless pursuit of more don't let social

media influencers convince you otherwise

their job is often to make you buy but

you can choose to find joy in simpler

things thanks for tuning in everyone we

hope this discussion helps you see

through the veneer of NeverEnding

consumption online stay grateful stay

content and join us next time on the

English dialogue podcast

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
consumption /kənˈsʌmp.ʃən/ B2	noun - the act of using resources or buying goods
gratitude /ˈɡrætɪˌtud/ B1	noun - the quality of being thankful
influencer /ˈɪn.fluː.ən.sər/ B2	noun - a person with the ability to influence potential buyers
contentment /kənˈten(t)mənt/ B2	noun - a state of happiness and satisfaction
sustainability /səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ C1	noun - the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level
minimalism /ˈmɪn.ə.mə.lɪ.zəm/ C1	noun - a style or technique that uses the fewest and barest essential elements
curated /ˈkjʊə.reɪ.tɪd/ C1	adjective - selected and organized with care
novelty /ˈnɒv.əl.ti/ B2	noun - the quality of being new, original, or unusual
aspirational /ˌæspəˈreɪ.ʃən.əl/ C1	adjective - relating to or characterized by a strong desire for success or achievement
sidelines /ˈsaɪd.laɪnz/ B2	verb - to force someone to stop being involved in an activity
internalize /ɪnˈtɜː.nəl.aɪz/ C1	verb - to accept or absorb an idea or opinion and make it part of your own way of thinking
erodes /ɪˈrəʊdz/ B2	verb - to gradually destroy or wear away
diversify /daɪˈvɜː.sɪ.faɪ/ C1	verb - to develop or add variety to
amplifying /ˈæm.plɪ.faɪ.ɪŋ/ B2	verb - to increase the effect or intensity of something
mindful /ˈmaɪn.dfəl/ B2	adjective - being aware of and focusing on the present moment