We spent a few days recently in Halifax, Nova Scotia and made the inevitable trip to a large shopping center. In my youth, I would have enjoyed such an experience. Retail therapy was a loved pastime. Those days are gone.
Today, it feels foreign to me. What do I need to buy? I have more than enough "stuff" for my home and will never use one tenth of what I have. I don't buy household items any more, just replace what is broken.
Remember the days when you bought a new item of clothing when you wore out what you had? A friend tells a story about his father, an gentleman in his nineties living in a nursing home. One of the great granddaughters visited him and the young girl wore a pair of platform shoes. The old man told her, "My dear, you'll never wear them out."
I think I am of his mindset these days. I have shoes and clothes now which I feel no need to replace. The stores just frustrate me, as do much of the fashion. "Clean and tidy," as Mom used to say, are the orders of the day, weeks and months. I'll never wear them out.
This trip to the mall was for summer clothes for my granddaughters. The girls are of an age when any new clothes are fine. Those days will be short lived with these two. However, there is a new baby on the way so I'll feel like an alien in the malls for another few years.
37 comments:
I am addicted to buying new recreational clothes, such as raincoats and water resistant pants. Other than that, I stay away from stores. Well, I do visit the local thrift store, but that's fading too. I think I would feel like an alien, too, in a fancy store. :-)
"Remember the days when you bought a new item of clothing when you wore out what you had?" I'm still like that. Sometimes when I'm finally done with a blouse or t-shirt, I can't even donate it to a thrift shop because it's just too worn out.
A new baby on the way, how wonderful Marie.. much more exciting than shopping ☺ My new minimalist approach makes life so much easier.. no more always looking to buy 'stuff', mind you I still enjoy looking now and then 😀😀
I figure since I am old (going to turn 60 soon) it is of no use to worry about clothes. I feel nice clothes are for the youth. I was always impressed by anyone who wore the same clothes over and over. It exhibited a confidence and detachment (to me) and showed it is all about the person and not what the person wore! Andrea
Celia said: I still spend $$ on good shoes, a necessity after ruining my feet in high heels when I worked. Malls have no charm for me either. I buy online when I need something, even shoes sometimes with a brand and size I know. My rule after I moved was two things out for one new thing until my closet is reduced. Just sent away my old work suits last year, don't know why they were so hard to part with, didn't fit anymore. :-) I lost Celia's comment and could not restore it.
Celia's blog is here: http://celiasbluecottage.blogspot.ca/
The nearest mall to me has been taken over by high end fancy shops, and also by the Chinese, so all the clothes are very expensive and mostly small sizes. I don't go there any more.
We no longer can tolerate the big box stores. After living here for a few years, we are use to small town living. Makes you wonder what you liked when living and shopping in a much bigger place.
If I need to shop (heaven forfend) I want to get in and out as quickly as possible. I am not one to shaawp as it were.
I think it is curious how that desire to buy and acquire has faded so much, Jan.
Great, Debra. A good way to live I think!
The new baby is exciting for sure, PDP. The love just expands!
You are not old, Andrea. You are just getting started!
The malls have changed, Shammickite, or we have!
Small town living suits me fine, Bill. I am not a city person, just an occasional visit there.
I used to love browsing, AC. Not any more!
As I write this comment, I am wearing a shirt with holes. I wear my stuff until it's not legal to go outdoors wearing them. Old and ratty.
Good for you, HW. My favourite shirt for summer has paint on it. It is relegated to home only as well.
Thanks for stopping by, Maria. I had no idea eating from the woods was catching on. But then, I had no idea we had wild garlic, onions and garlic mustard in our woods, either. Have you foraged edibles? Earthy and yummy.
Plant nurseries and bookstores aside I have almost total sales resistance. Those exceptions are big though. Too big.
I buy books though I use the library and second hand bookstores as well, EC. I buy the veg plants for the garden at the nursery too. Groceries are the only other shopping I do usually.
Elephant's Child and Maria: Do either of you buy digital books?
I cab tell by the way you write that you and I would be great pals if we lived near each other. "Stuff" is exactly the word for all the merchandise that I've bought over the years and have no need of now ! I am living a much simpler (and enjoyable) life now. Good post Marie.
Occasionally - but I prefer 'real' books. And also use the library and second hand shops.
My daughter is not one to accumulate "stuff," Ginnie. She learned it at a far earlier age than I did.
I download books to my Ipad, HW. However, I prefer the actual books to the digital ones..
I used to only do hardcopies and for my reference books and my cookery/bake ones, I enjoy hardcopy and kept the ones I love. But for fiction or non-fiction, I love the digital.
I like the feel of the book. I use the digital for travel usually.
"Stuff" truly does weigh you down... and staying away from those kinds of stores the easiest way to not have more stuff, I find. I, like you, prefer the simpler kind of lifestyle!
I can kind of identify with this. I wear the same kind of clothes I've worn my whole adult life. I've never felt the need to change. It just doesn't seem important.
I feel the same as you; I rarely buy anything for the house and clothes are not that important any longer. Jeans and t-shirts are mostly what I wear! lol
I hope you will have an enjoyable Friday.
We have more in common than the island, Marilyn.
It isn't important, Ratty. It takes some of us longer to learn it however.
You described my wardrobe, Mildred. I have to add sweatshirts for the cold weather too.
Agreed. Feel of the book is wonderful. And for me, useful when I'm doing research stuff. But I also love the ease of digital on the deck, in bed at night with no lights or in the morning with no lights.
I'm with you, shopping is just a pain, and we don't need more STUFF!
We really don't, FG.
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