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Confession: I’m not a fan of shopping. When I see those cute little cartoon icons of pencil thin waisted women with gigantic eyes, joyfully grasping shopping bags, I cringe. If there was a cartoon icon that represented me, it would be a little less hour glass figured, definitely less high couture trendy, more practical over pampered, and she’d have a dash of Spacegeek… and red hair. Shopping bags? Not likely. I’d more likely be juggling my camera and a cup of coffee… or a glass of wine. Yesterday’s post made me really think about what it is that I buy, and more importantly the why behind my purchases.
I think the last purse that I purchased was over two years ago. Shoes? I fall in love with one pair of sandals every summer and wear them into the ground. Last year’s pair I loved so much, that I found them online this summer and bought them again. I am a creature of comfort, I suppose. When I bring something home, there is typically a really good reason. (With the exception of things for my kiddo… or books. I have a soft spot for those two areas in my life!)
I wasn’t always that way, though. I once had paid a lot of attention to creating the “perfect home” with things that I picked up here and there. A funny thing happen when my life went on a different, single mom course- I noticed I just didn’t care about “stuff” anymore. I didn’t actually care about the “stuff” to begin with, but I had the opportunity (whether I wanted it or not) to sort through the stuff that was acquired through the years and really think about whether or not it would bring me happiness and joy or help me in that new stage of life. My own little hierarchy of needs shifted a bit.
Being aware of what you desire to bring into your future, is such a powerful thing. When I shop, I am investing, so why not do so with thought and intention? Even when something may seem spur of the moment, off the cuff impulse buy, there was a need that was simmering on the back burner. And then there it is, the “thing” that will help fulfill that need that is ready to bubble over. Pay close attention though, because from time to time, those silly little wants demand more attention, making you turn your back on the unattended need. Sometimes, you actually do NEED to be pampered, or reminded of beauty in the world. Sometimes you do need to help visualize your goals or dreams by placing tokens of their existence throughout your home. Sometimes, you need a new set of bowls with texture on the outside to remind yourself to be present in the moment of sharing a bowl of cereal or ice cream with your child. Pay attention to what you need.
And, as if I needed further confirmation of the importance of mindfully being aware of what you bring into your life, as I sit here and type, I hear a flip flopping sound behind me. I look over my shoulder to spy my kiddo wearing those very shoes that I mentioned earlier. This little person, who happens to be growing up more quickly than I would like, will follow my follow in my footsteps, so I will be quite mindful of where I lead us both!
We’ve been going through dramatic downsizing since we left New York – and lost 700 square feet of house space coupled with losing 1500 square feet of basement! Now that we’re in a small space and getting rid of stuff right and left, it has really changed the way I look at the things we choose to surround ourselves with! Now we’re a lot better tuned in to the things that really speak to us rather than just, well, things.
Downsizing and reevaluating is something that I think everyone should do every ten years. Within ten years time, we will always find ourselves at different stages of life, and there are some things that need to be embraced and celebrated, and some “things” that we should really let go. (I see a future post about this starting to develop!)