How do I balance my own life with my political vie

[Toothlessjoe]

Hey there guys, I'll just give some background information first, because this is more of a moral dilema. I'll try and keep it from spilling into a life crisis thread. I live in England and need to back to college next year, to retake most of, if not all of my exams. I am most concerned about English, I'd like a nice grade in that.

The real problem is this: I just recently got engaged, and I'm still fairly young I guess, I'm mostly into metal or rock, which means to some degree I have bought into buying band merchandise like clothing etc. Although I typically wear an old pair of combats, some old boots, a plain black beanie and whatever tops I have bought. It was all cheap, and will last. No need to go and spend more. A good thing. I'm very anti-Capitalism, and have my views strongly rooted around Socialism, leaning heavily towards Communism as my reading progresses. I know about tools of production, wage slaves, sweatshops, the exploitation etc. But I also can't seem to balance it with my life being so young still. Part of me wants to but those nice looking band tops, go out and drink beer, get my college grades, and be care free. In a sense. Then I was in a pub/bar and it hit me like a wave....

I was just sickened by everything around me, the modern music (pop/techno), people laughing getting drunk, wearing mass produced crap. The sheer apathetic nature of everyone. And then a machine that you gamble on, like a slot machine just flashed at me as I was looking around. Oddly enough, it was a Monopoly one! I couldn't finish my drink I felt so disgusted and I had to make my friends leave with me.

What can I do? I want to live a somewhat indulgent life where I can enjoy things and be happy, but then my political and moral views come shouting at me and I can't decice what I want anymore. It couldn't come at a worse time, I only turned 17 in June this year. So coming to this train of thought now, will it axiomatically be that I cannot enjoy my teenage years through my choice of the Left, or waste time with them when I should be helping the movement?

I'm confused, and I didn't mean this to turn into a bad rant. Sorry about that, I usually write with a little more structure.

[Toothlessjoe]

Anyone have any ideas?

[which doctor]

You are in a moral dilemma. Sometimes you should just forget about your political ideals, and just have fun. Just don't get too wrapped up in anything or over indulge. Don't forget about your politics either. The revolution wil come one day and justice will be served. Until then just try to have fun, but don't over indulge in anything or forget about your political ideals.

[DaCuBaN]

As has been repeated elsewhere on this site "We live in a time of reaction". Don't let the culture that surrounds you dishearten you - the fact that you've seen through it should be a source of great strength.

There are plenty of resources available on this site alone should you wish to become politically active but in my opinion the best thing you can do is to read, read and read. As they say, knowledge is power.

[Enragé]

have fun, dont be over-political (in the way that it can fuck up friendships), especially towards friends, but stay true to yourself, and try to find others who have the same ideals like you