Thursday, April 11, 2013

Thrifty Thursday: Towards Post-Consumerism

Here, look at how pretty Shu Uemura Prestigious Bordeaux
looks on my lovely model,  because otherwise
 you're not getting any pictures this post.
I have a lot of problems with spending in general. It's not that I'm in debt or think that I'm a particularly unwise spender. I try to live frugally so I don't beat myself up about buying things that I enjoy and will use if I'm living within my means. I just don't like what shopping and buying and accumulation in general says about me. 

I want to live a portable, simple life. I also want to be surrounded by beautiful things with satin textures. Ay, there's the rub. I think I'm this close to a more streamlined life but I'm always two blushes away from what I want. At this point, I am starting to really assess what I value and am purging the things I like so I live with what I love, which really does prevent me from buying more.

So there's that. But I have also noticed this: When I am striving to curb my spending in one area, I am inclined to spend rather improvidently in another area. The consumerist itches to be satisfied. If it's not nail polish, it's pens. If it's not pens, it's yarn. I could go on but it starts to circle back.

I think I've gotten smarter over the years, and I certainly notice all of this more, but I want to feel better about it. I want to replace the itch with another itch that is less dependent on currency and more dependent on creativity, on relationships. I'm not sure what that will look like or how that will come about.

Any ideas, tips, thoughts, blogosphere?
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4 comments:

  1. BellyheadApril 12, 2013 at 11:29 AM

    I'm trying to understand what shopping & accumulation says about me, too. I'm very hung up on the idea that it means something about me and triviality and mindless buying. I'm wrestling with this and thinking that this may not be true. (Is it?!)

    I think (at least for me), the more I learn about what my preferences are, I become a more smart shopper. But apart from that, I have no other clues. *shrugs helplessly*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Painted Maypole PixieApril 16, 2013 at 3:29 PM

      I agree on the knowing one's preferences thing. It's a bit rut-causing, perhaps, but I know I have little patience for little else.

      Delete
  2. Miss ReneeMay 10, 2013 at 12:08 AM

    It actually helps me to take just about all of my money out of my bank account, since I do most of my shopping online. Then I put the majority of it away somewhere in my house and keep track of it. This has REALLY helped me with impulse purchases every time a website has a sale.

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    Replies
    1. Painted Maypole PixieMay 10, 2013 at 9:13 PM

      Interesting.

      I've found I purchase more HE makeup online and more DS makeup at bricks-and-mortars.

      Delete

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