I have felt the joy of growing as a person the last month. After I got over a wretched bout of flu/strep throat/major fatigue, I felt like a new person. More energy – especially more creative energy. I wanted to make and do more. In addition, I am developing some great new eating habits – more on that later, maybe.
I am anxious to see what gains I can make in February. I would like to build on new eating habits to exercise consistently. And I am going to stop shopping for the rest of the year. I love online shopping – and I hate it. I have enough jewelry, fabric, shoes, clothes, and art supplies. Plenty plus a lot more. Online shopping, like eating, is done to fill avoid that is ultimately just made bigger. I am not going to become a minimalist – but I am going to stop shopping. I have a list of exceptions – gifts for other people, and supporting resources for projects – batting, interfacing, embroidery floss – but no fabric and no shoes and no jewelry and no clothes. I am looking forward to the mental freedom I will get from not even allowing idle pointing and clicking to enter my life. But it is also scary.
This article (I happened on from the always awesome Saturday Seven serieson A Quilting Life blog) really convinced me of the joy and impact not shopping could have. I am preparing myself mentally for the benefit and effort of this new adventure. I am trying to do some things structurally to make it easier – unsubscribing from all email subscriptions – even Purl Soho!, making all my existing beautiful things accessible as a reminder of the abundance I have.
BUT, on Saturday I had the joy of spending a really generous gift certificate to Sarah’s fabrics that my coworkers had gotten for me. It felt great to have the money to spend – but also confirmed that I will be ok not shopping – because one always wants more than one can buy. I spent most of the money on fabrics to back Project Linus quilts. But I also spent some on the splurge of this gorgeous wool felt. Nothing beats the real stuff. And I am not sure what I will use it for – but it is oddly comforting knowing it is there. 🙂
weeknight quilting 