Savoring simple daily pleasures
I have a little confession- just between you and I....
I feel like having scraped through my No Buy Year, I have entered into 2025 full steam ahead in the retail vicinity! As if I'd stored it all up, and now I'm a runaway train.
I know Im spending out of my budget, my family is commenting on the packages arriving constantly, I'm purchasing things on a whim or because I get in advertently snaggled by something that catches my eye on social media (Which I truly don't spend much time on!) and then its like an itch I have to scratch. The minute you give that rabbit hole breathing room, the algorithms and advertising trends pounce. Then you turn on a separate device, and that same product pops up. It's an absolute trap. One that many people, clearly, fall into, and it's a tough climb back out.
I'm the woman who successfully curated a ten-item wardrobe for close to a decade. I have always loved shopping and clothes, and get huge satisfaction in putting together seasonal wardrobes - much of what I write about is from a style perspective.
But this is next level. And it's escalated SO fast!
So why do we do it? What are we buying into?
Is it how we want something to make us feel?
Will Lululemon garments magically make us slimmer and fitter?
Its tricky- As I believe its a very fine line- In a way- yes they can- there is a little bit of magic involved in, say for example, purchasing a sleek and functional new workout wardrobe- that will help drive you, motivate you, and help you become that fitter, stronger version of your self. But spending $250 on a Lululemon lightweight top - which you can't afford, simply because you've seen it looking great on an influencer.... not so much. You have to already be working on those goals and already set on the right trajectory for that kind of motivation to spur you on.
Not only does that influencer probably look great in anything, its highly likely that not only did they not purchase the items themselves, but that they are paid to wear them! This is truly not a criticism of their job or approach- its just a warning of getting too close to the honey pot.
Social media and having the world constantly at our fingertips have transformed "keeping up with the Joneses" within our neighbourhood, to keeping up with the international Joneses, where every shot is posed and every "effortless outfit" meticulously put together.
The way we shop is dramatically different, with the pandemic no doubt influencing the massive surge in online shopping. Now we are conditioned to browse stores from our armchairs- and can purchase and arrange delivery without even entering our card details or delivery address.....it remembers it ALL! So gone are the days of "going shopping" with a set budget as your budget was whatever CASH was in our purse- when you ran out, it was gone til next pay day. Shops closed at 5pm, many were closed one day or a half day in the week, and Nothing was open on Sundays. No credit cards, no Afterpay, no interest-free or lay-by! It's so disconnected these days. As we sip our coffee, our face instructs our phones to process a payment for a top we didn't know we needed or wanted! It's the stuff Sci Fi was made of when we were kids!
A sad fact which is also becoming apparent, while I absolutely advocate for quality pieces, quality is not what it was. It used to be that if you paid a little more, you'd be rewarded in the quality- think woolens, cashmere, cotton, and workmanship, finishing details, seams, buttons, linings. These days it seems in so many disappointing cases, we shell out the extra in the faith it will be of a higher quality and last longer, and in reality, we are paying for the name and pretty packaging. To get a real quality difference, we have to pay a whole lot more.
A dear friend just finally bought a stunning pair of boots she'd been longing for and saving for they are top-end, timeless but classic, and exquisitely crafted. She will have them and love them for decades, I have no doubt. They are not fast fashion; they are traditionally designed and fabricated. These are not an impulse buy.
I spent out on a cashmere cardigan a few seasons ago. It was an investment, a classic style and colour. I have looked after it as I do all my clothing, but now it is so badly pilled and a little out of shape - yet I sunk several hundred dollars into it.
I guess the question is, do you love clothes or what they do for you- and women in general? I love what they can do for me in terms of how I feel and project myself, how I present and show up to my days, how they can evoke a mood or occasion, I love dressing up! Always have. But I love what they can do for me more than material accumulation.
Today, being Anzac day as I type, I wore a handcrafted Poppy brooch. I bring it out once a year, and tuck it away again that evening. It was made by a local lady many years ago, it has no monetary value, but it means a great deal to me. Who made it, the history and symbolism, and that when I pin it on, I am reminded throughout the day of the occasion, the sacrifice, and can feel the presence of my grandfather.
Its now the following day, I wasn't feeling quite 100% so I had a quiet afternoon sorting out the gues room closet- from dozens of pairs of ballet shoes, a tangle of ballet stockings, dress ups, old school uniforms and a large (Growing ) pile of clothing items I have recently edited. Downstairs, I was still acutely aware of the giant leaning tower of Pisa-esqu stack of big glossy cookbooks I'd sorted to donate. So before my evening walk, I filled my car, drove to the local Goodwill/ Op shop/Charity shop, and donated the whole lot.
It Felt SOOOO good. So freeing! Not only was it generally clutter on that they were items not serving us any more, but it was such a nice feeling to know that they were all quality pieces in good condition, that someone will be thrilled to stumble upon, give a new home to and hopefully treasre for as long as they need them.
I now have a streamlined and organised guestroom closet, I know exactly what's in it, and I am even more certain I don't NEED anything else for a little while! (Other than cooler weather- all my winter coats are hanging in there too, waiting patiently.)
Plus, I've ticked off all the tasks and jobs I was hoping to complete over the Easter break, leaving me feeling organised, in control, and energised.
Perhaps tomorrow I need to do a bit of life admin and have a desk morning, so get my finances and appointments in order and plan the term ahead, ready for Monday.
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