I came from the Soviet Union. During my childhood and youth, a shortage of everything was the norm. That made purchasing decisions very simple – get it when you see it! You don’t need it now? Doesn’t matter! You will need it eventually. And do I need to describe the feeling of the successful hunt?
We’ve lived in Australia now for 27 years. Hardly a shortage of anything (except probably money :)). It took me a number of years to change my original mindset. I am still a spontaneous buyer but in the last few years I’ve noticed a change: I stopped enjoying my shopping. I feel tired, indifferent and detached in big stores. I don’t want to look at anything or try things on. The sheer volume of ‘stuff’ triggers resentment. If I buy something, I walk away with guilt (because I really didn’t need the fifth pair of black trousers or the twelfth pair of shoes).
Unfortunately, I am naturally a person who loves a pair of comfortable pants and a jumper and can stay in them forever (especially when I don’t need to go the office every day any more). I always admired women who love and wear their hundreds of pieces of clothes and shoes, creating new combination every day – matching shoes, a bag, a scarf, jewellery, glasses, belts, etc; I am just not one of them. So, I am not trying to set an example here, and this is not about right or wrong, good or bad. This is about what works for me.
Another thing I’ve noticed about myself in the last few years is how much I love to buy things from small craft businesses, especially if they belong to my friends or the people I know.
I stopped buying jewellery from anyone except a friend who started her jewellery business ‘Jane Ju’ (www.facebook.com/janeju.au) 6 years ago, designing and making all products herself using natural stones and materials. I have about 30 pieces now. I buy them from her because I love her designs and I know how much time and attention she gives to every piece. And each one is unique!
I buy chocolate from the artisan chocolate shop ‘Kakawa’ (Kakawa Chocolates Sydney), because you can’t beat freshly made chocolate that hasn’t spent months on a supermarket shelf. Try it and you will know the difference!
The small local artisan bakery, ‘Grumpy Baker’ (www.thegrumpybaker.com.au) in Maroubra, is one of my favourites. You don’t need a dessert if you buy their fig and walnut loaf! The only problem with it – you can’t stop eating it until the whole thing is gone.
Attention to detail with love for their product and their clients, enjoyment of the process – this is what I am buying from these small businesses. When I do that, I don’t feel guilty or detached. I feel that I become in some small way a part of their process, their journey and their enjoyment.
And that to me feels goooood!
Facebook Comments