Shopping Hiatus 2013 - 2

Lists it is. The only way it seems is making a list of everything bought, except for food, ballet&yoga class and supplies for the guinea pigs. So I spend money on exercise, maybe some books, food, the pigs and pretty much nothing else. May possibly double as meditation.

One Year Shopping Hiatus V

Just watching the bustle feels like relaxation. I think I see more clearly not seeking the rush of buying and I enjoy deciding what I do like and do not like without thinking of buying it. I do not like much, respect for the Earth demand a high skill in the artisan, so I'm becoming a difficult customer. Flowers are a temptation though, and yarn. A friend might want me to make her a cardigan. I do not miss clothes buying, I'm off ETSY and will cancel Amazon today together with Paypal. I window shop and get shocked by how easily I used to get into the rush of a t-shirt here and a top there just because it was cute and then loose interest in it quite quickly.

A few days ago I read that it is practically considered bad form to have heating in the bathroom floor when living in Berlin. It makes me hopeful. Here it is very usual and I've been worried about not having it. Somehow comforts that are expected can be just too much. We need to get closer to nature. 

Brave New World - one year shopping hiatus IV

My partner and I talked it over, again. He thinks it is a good idea. No more little gifts for him, but he is fine with that.

Today I went past IKEA, took a look inside and got a very real Huxley moment. "Get the IKEA card, spend now, pay later (you bet we charge interest, but we don't tell you that, at least not right now)" Cups and pans, not the kind made to last for years and years in abundance. This year's colours in gift wrapping, so easy to buy as it might come in handy - upbeat, cute and inexpensive. I got four packages of paper napkins. It is something I actually have to have for work. When having pupil's concerts we always have cakes afterwards. I've horded five packages. I wanted to get a stemmed up rosemary tree, but decided it would be shopping for shopping's sake, so no little tree. I do love the availability of beautiful things, and maybe the not so beautiful things too, but it is nice to try not to be part of the shop, throw away "garbage", shop again circle. I wish I could avoid buying the napkins, but I find it somewhat difficult to produce linen napkins for 60 people.


I think I'll stick with my grandmother's iron frying pan though. It is at least 50 years old and quite sturdy.

I Don't Feel Like It - one year shopping hiatus III

Today is a marvelous day. I'm finally rested enough to rest properly, but that is not my subject. 

Lately, due to my vow of doing my very best to have a one year shopping/spending hiatus, I went window shopping, considering, among other things, how much improved H&M's designs are now, and  thinking about what I'd like if going on a shopping spree. I also thought of an acquaintance who does quite a power play to be able to do his bit of getting what he wants at any given time. I remember suggesting some cucumber on his glue - sandwich (white bread and lots of cheese, reminds me of glue somehow). No, he didn't feel like it. What was I to say? It was the very best way to get someone to shut up once and for all, one just knows that there is no way of getting the point through. The king had spoken. It was all very entertaining, if not so sad.

So what I would like are a pale pink linen dress and a whole bucket of these - but then - I don't really feel like it, do I?

A One Year Shopping Hiatus

On the 13TH it is my birthday. My mother asked me to get myself something nice. I got a small artwork and a vegan cookbook. I also made a vow:

• no more shopping for a year - exceptions maybe absolutely necessary items of clothing, but no more little gifts to stoke my ego and use just a little more of the world's resources. I will keep you posted about my project. Keeping you posted should keep me in line, hopefully.