I'm not sure that I buy in fully to the whole vintage thing. I LOVE the rockabilly look and if I had the waist (yeah and the rest!) would be quite happy swanning around in a 50's style dress and curls. My perfect kitchen would be full of enamel tins and scrumptious fabric and I do like the frugality attitude that my dear old Granny fostered. Do I think the women from that era were beautiful? Yes! Do I like the attitude towards women in past times? No. You wouldn't catch me putting my dreams on hold so that my husband to fulfil his (possibly why I'm single!).
I also wouldn't pay a fortune for something that I could buy cheaper in Argos just because it was called vintage in a little boutique down the road. Perhaps I am missing something and just don't 'get' it.
However. I have recently stumbled upon a divine little website dedicated to vintage housekeeping called Brocantehome. It's owner, Alison, is a wonderful writer and at first I just read for the dialect. Now I am never going to be that woman who can swan through her home knowing that there are no dust bunnies under the sofa or avoid being squished by the junk that falls out of the cupboards. But Alison does talk a lot of sense. I like her attitude to avoiding consumerism and taking care of what we have. My Granny had pots and pans 50 years old, her electrical items lasted a life time because she took care of them.
I also like Alison's attitude of taking care of yourself first. Something that I cringed at when I first read it. I couldn't be so selfish! My children come first. Without fail. However, I am mum, dad, and the playful puppy we've always longed for in my house. If I am out of action or just feeling cruddy things go down hill fast here. Because there is no one else who will shove the washing in or make sure my son takes a shower. There's no one else who will occupy the kids instead of letting them get bored and start world war three and there is no one else who will work her little toochie off to further her career so we can be stable financially. I don't even get weekends off like some single parent's because quite frankly their father is a waste of space. Young love is deaf, dumb and blind. Not to say I would change it for anything in the world. I get huge satisfaction in being independent and I take pride in the fact that my children are so fantastic regardless of our situation. They are amazing and so am I.
So after my initial cringe I got to thinking (hold on to your hats, that's never a good thing!). What thing's would I change to ensure that I am healthy and happy too? What could I do for me? Apart from the usual go to bed on time and eat healthy I was stumped. Because I don't really know who 'me' is. Some women could tell you who they are and what they stand for within a blink of an eyelid. I would need a soul searching trip to Thailand to even begin. What? No offers to babysit and pay for my fare? Okay then. It's time for some self-development me thinks. Now miraculously Alison is running a 'find who you are' ecourse called 'Muse' in a couple of weeks, as it costs £24 I'm in two minds whether I shall be hopping on for the ride.
But I am going to do something.
As Thomas Jefferson said 'Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.'
9 comments:
I think if you are taught frugality when you are young then it does kind of stick. I would prefer furniture and appliances that lasted rather than wore out within a few years with their built-in obsolescence (especially computers - necessary but it does get my pip when you are told 5 years is a very long life for your expensive monitor!)
Anyways:) I am pretty much in the same situation - wanting to find out just who I should be naturally rather than what I have had to be. Looking after yourself seems hard to conceive after so much conditioning! I have been looking into e-courses, meditation, diet, exercise etc and when I find the right approach for me then I'll save my pennies! If I ever win the lottery then I'd send you the fare for Thailand - and meet you there!!!
Very thougt provoking and interesting post, thank you. Hope you find the right approach for you soon xxx
Great post Terrie.
Anne xx
What a heartfelt post Terrie! I think the muse thing, or something similar is a great idea, sometimes when we're trying to discover ourselves, we need some direction and framework to work within, whether we've been searching for a long time or just begun..... Good luck and looking forward to hearing about it.
Oh and have you heard of Sark? Sark is fabulous and one of my besties is her biggest fan, so I have read quite a few of her books! I think you will love them and the library should have them!
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Firstly, can I just say that I blog hopped onto your site and think you're blog is really nice :)
I think this is a fantastic post Terrie. I desperately need to find myself again. Over the years I've lost myself, so much so that I can barely remember who I used to be. I've spent the last 22 years bringing up my family and now that my youngest is 16 I find that it's time to put myself (and hubby) first. Trouble is I don't know how to start down the road to rediscovery.
I've had a peruse on Alison's site and I have to admit I like what she says. I can feel a connection with her. Thank you for highlighting it. Her Muse course seems very appealing to me.
Maybe we'll be sharing the journey and experience soon.
Brillant. So well said. I'm going to print and keep. New follower here, that's for sure. Off to see what else you are brillant about. From the looks of your blogroll I do see a lot of yarn loven'. I found the right place today, that's for sure.
kate - alias... G.B.
Great post. I think it is natural for women to go through stages of not knowing who they are. We have so many identities that ebb and flow. Have you heard of The Brave Girls Club? They offer a workshop called Soul Restoration that artfully gets you unstuck and back on track. I'm not affiliated in anyway, I just really like their message.
I also blog-hopped to get here and so glad I did. What a refreshing, honest post. I can identify with Moleymakes' comment - kids all leave and you are left wondering who you are and where to start finding out. Am going to Alison's site now. Good Luck!
Hi Terrie, I would like to pass on to you a Stylish Blogger Award. Congrats, I hope you accept! Your blog is always colourful and inspiring - and a pleasure to visit. I was told the following in regard to copying the award image ... please pop over to my blog to read about it and to copy the award picture. Have a fab day.
Leah
Love this post! So true! I think everyone needs to find themselves on a daily basis! hehe
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