I am
very careful about the objects I let into my life. I don't want to live with things I don't love or need, but truly enforcing this credo can take a heroic amount of vigilance. Things just seem to appear, don't they?
The truth about me, though, is that I don't shop for fun and don't really (anymore) experience much desire for stuff (outside of stuff I can eat, of course!). While I admire beautiful things, I don't long to own them, at least not very often. So it's mainly gifts that can create accumulation I don't want.
The people I love seem to have become, all of the sudden, beautifully sensitive to my strange ways. (A little background: often when people come to my house, they ask if I'm moving and if I've already packed. No. I'm a
minimalist, I tell them. I have had the same bedspread since 1993, and I've been wearing the same black wool coat for thirteen winters--no joke. I love these things because they serve me so faithfully.) This Christmas, my loved ones gave me a few, small things, mostly handmade or thrifted, all terribly lovely and/or useful.
Sigh.
Spring shoes--handmade (and vegan!) from
here--await my feet with their soft pillowy insoles; a
bear drinks tea (unquestionable necessary, thanks very much), patiently waiting to be framed and hung on my studio wall, and--come on--John Denver and the Muppets?
Then there's this hat. It has braids, people.
I am full of good things, but not uncomfortably so. I feel loved but not overwhelmed.
Just right.
I am very careful about the objects I let into my life. I don't want to live with things I don't love or need, but truly enforcing this credo can take a heroic amount of vigilance. Things just seem to appear, don't they?
The truth about me, though, is that I don't shop for fun and don't really (anymore) experience much desire for stuff (outside of stuff I can eat, of course!). While I admire beautiful things, I don't long to own them, at least not very often. So it's mainly gifts that can create accumulation I don't want.
The people I love seem to have become, all of the sudden, beautifully sensitive to my strange ways. (A little background: often when people come to my house, they ask if I'm moving and if I've already packed. No. I'm a minimalist, I tell them. I have had the same bedspread since 1993, and I've been wearing the same black wool coat for thirteen winters--no joke. I love these things because they serve me so faithfully.) This Christmas, my loved ones gave me a few, small things, mostly handmade or thrifted, all terribly lovely and/or useful. Sigh.
Spring shoes--handmade (and vegan!) from here--await my feet with their soft pillowy insoles; a bear drinks tea (unquestionable necessary, thanks very much), patiently waiting to be framed and hung on my studio wall, and--come on--John Denver and the Muppets?
Then there's this hat. It has braids, people.
I am full of good things, but not uncomfortably so. I feel loved but not overwhelmed. Just right.
Posts
21 comments:
Oh! I love that bear!
We're hoarders currently attempting life-laundry! Doesn't come naturally to me, but I really love your approach.
I also really love the beautiful gifts - fabulous friends you've got there! X
Alice--I can say that I did it entirely on purpose, and (though I was never a hoarder) I'd say the process took about five years. One of the most important steps in the process was my "visiting" rule. If I was out shopping, and I came across something I wanted (but hadn't come for), I considered that encounter my "visit." If I still wanted the item after the visit, I'd usually visit once more. Then if I _still_ wanted it, I'd go buy it. Now I just never feel that urge. I guess I didn't really think it was possible to totally stop wanting to buy stuff, but I'm there, so I guess it is!
Such sweetness. Your loved ones seem to know exactly what's right. You get it! More of us should. Simplicity.
Brilliant.
It's not my inclination, but I am leaning toward it as aspiration... it's a start, right?!
Those shoes look so comfy. I aspire to this, but as Alice said in her comment, it doesn't come so naturally to me. I am getting better about it, though. Better about admiring something but not bringing it home. Just. walk. away...
I'm always having to go through everything, as material and craft stuff comes easily. While I'm fairly good at weeding out what I actually will use from what I think is absolutely adorable, sometimes May West reminds me that "too much of a good thing is wonderful!"
i am sighing a happy contentment sigh for you.
all lovely. what a lucky gal to have people to in tune to you!
i am not TOO much of a buyer (other than the thrift store for growing kids which i think doesn't count too much), but i have a lot of handed down, over and across things that i am bad about saying no and/or parting with. how do you shut down the voice that says "i might want/need that later?"
ooh, i like your things. i'm not as good at this as you are, but i am absolutely headed in that direction (and i find watching "hoarders" so helpful as motivation, as you know). i love the idea of paring down to only what i need and what is beautiful, preferably both. also, i am happy that we have coordinating wooden forest creature pins (thank you again for my rabbit!!).
E.--I don't have that voice, really. I think I truly just believe that what I need will come or is getable, and also that I don't need very much. (I grew up super poor--I think that helped!)
L.--I'm glad, too. We need to sport those matching pins and go do something together!
Cute bear, love it.
Fabulous friends you've got there!
Sweet!
Sherman Unkefer
I love those shoes! I was late to my carpool yesterday morning because I followed the link to the Etsy store where they are sold and was ogling a pink pair of ballet flats. The only thing is, somehow, unintentionally, I'm kind of a beast when it comes to the wear on my shoes. Are these really fragile?
Audra--they don't seem fragile, no. I haven't really worn them yet b/c we're having blizzard conditions right now, but while they definitely are lightweight, they seem sturdily built.
Such thoughtful and beautiful gifts, definitely in line with your minimalist approach :)
"Loved but not overwhelmed." Perfect. I have been minimizing more and more, and it's such a wonderful feeling, the letting go and realizing how little we really need. I committed this year to not let anything in my life I didn't want there. The trouble I'm having is with the kids. Seems like people are giving them things everywhere they go!
Yeah--that part can be hard. Luckily for me, I decided to lay down the law as soon as A. was born. I mostly approve all the gifts she gets from my parents and my in laws, and even A. doesn't like clutter. They may think I'm a bit strange, but they go along with it for the most part. ;-) This Christmas, for example, my father gave A. money for a class she wanted to take--takes up no room in the house!
Melissa, would you be interested in writing a guest post on this topic for my blog? It fits right in with what I do (green topics) and buying/doing with less is all part of it.
It could even be a bit modified from your own post. I read your post a couple of days ago and have been thinking about it ever since. I have been doing the same thing (not as successfully as you however) for the past three years and didn't know how to talk about it on my blog until you said it so beautifully.
Please let me know.
Teresa
greenbagladyteresa(at)gmail(dot)com
Your hat is super super cute!!
xx
thelibertybelleblog.blogspot.com
ok. so this is definitly not my credo--- i have issues...but they aren't out of control. i love the hunt still and the good deals.... oh. yea.
We did the same this year's Christmas with my husband's family. But often some just rebelled but those who honor our wishes, we appreciate little "useful" things in life.
Absolutely. I remember when I used to think useful presents were awful presents. What was I thinking? Annabelle gave me a set of lovely, sturdy stainless steel measuring cups and spoons for Christmas this year. I had been limping along with two cups and three spoons, and now whenever I cook, I think of what a favor she did for me!
This is SO where I am right now. I have TOO much stuff and am in the process of taming it all. I love the idea of being careful about what you bring into your home. You are SO right because once it comes in it is SO hard to let it go. Thank you for the continued inspiration.
Post a Comment