Thanksgiving and lessons from a junk pile
We visit a lot of thrift stores, flea markets and junk shops {some too old, dusty and precarious to enter with a baby} in search of records. These places are filled with various items people once felt they needed to have. These things never disappear they only travel from one place to another, have long lives, share the planet with us. These past two and a half years, my need to consume has decreased. When visiting any sort of second hand mart, I am constantly reminded of the over supply of "stuff" that is being manufactured and sold. Now, I am only too aware of it and make purchases more consciously.
I am more mindful of things I buy. Before purchasing clothing and toys for August, I find myself thinking of where they will end up when she outgrows them. Much of her clothing is second hand because I love vintage clothing but there is also so much of it. I still have many of my own baby clothes and toys around, these are things that now belong to August. I feel better when I can buy from a resale shop or don't have to shop at all, I feel slightly guilty when participating in retail sales. There are some items that I don't like purchasing second hand like board books and stuffed animals so I practice restraint.
This Thanksgiving, I have to include, among all that I am thankful for, the lessons of the thrift stores, flea markets and junk shops. I hope to pass them on to August as soon as she can understand them. One she is already learning is to take care of her things so they don't become broken and useless. I am constantly re-learning that don't need as much as we think we do.
The following are photos from a junk shop. It made me sick to see these piles that won't be going anywhere fast enough. Many will be rushing off to make more purchases tomorrow, perhaps even after or instead of Thanksgiving dinner and adding to the piles. No matter how shiny and pretty everything is when new, it all becomes and contributes to an ugly pile somewhere and just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't there. Love can fill all voids, nothing else can.
I am more mindful of things I buy. Before purchasing clothing and toys for August, I find myself thinking of where they will end up when she outgrows them. Much of her clothing is second hand because I love vintage clothing but there is also so much of it. I still have many of my own baby clothes and toys around, these are things that now belong to August. I feel better when I can buy from a resale shop or don't have to shop at all, I feel slightly guilty when participating in retail sales. There are some items that I don't like purchasing second hand like board books and stuffed animals so I practice restraint.
This Thanksgiving, I have to include, among all that I am thankful for, the lessons of the thrift stores, flea markets and junk shops. I hope to pass them on to August as soon as she can understand them. One she is already learning is to take care of her things so they don't become broken and useless. I am constantly re-learning that don't need as much as we think we do.
The following are photos from a junk shop. It made me sick to see these piles that won't be going anywhere fast enough. Many will be rushing off to make more purchases tomorrow, perhaps even after or instead of Thanksgiving dinner and adding to the piles. No matter how shiny and pretty everything is when new, it all becomes and contributes to an ugly pile somewhere and just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't there. Love can fill all voids, nothing else can.
3 Comments:
haunting photos and perspective...this is important for me to think about because even though i buy most everything second-hand, i still over-collect things i don't really need! part of the appeal is definitely giving new life to cast-off items. i guess i pretty much anthropomorphize EVERYTHING.
I can totally relate! Everything has a life!!!!
some piles there are totally amazing, esp. in your last image. still, i mean to say, it is nice for the thrifter to go seeking and uncover junk. i'm always very surprised, when i stand at the till, what people sometimes buy and that personal choice can be so diverse. i mean, i see total junk being checked out and i wonder, somebody likes that? i find that an amusing game, and part of the whole shebang.
n♥
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