For me freedom is wealth.
What if you just shook up the formula + thought of doing it in a different way,
a smaller way?
~Jesse Kamm
What if you just shook up the formula + thought of doing it in a different way,
a smaller way?
~Jesse Kamm
I came across this again today + it felt like a beckoning. Wanna play along? Here's my version:
Embrace the soft pants.
Find a style or two to love + wear the heck out of them. I'm loving pairs from Sokoi + these from Imogene + Willie. They take me from my yoga mat to a coffee hang to work to a night out. This summer I'm wearing them with tank tops. In the colder months they cozy up with little sweatshirts + big pullovers.
Whatever your age is, enjoy living.
The age that I am is rarely exactly how I thought it would be. When I was younger, I thought that people who were the age I am now knew who they were + weren't easily made to doubt it. These years have involved some tangles for me in that department. I have a list of things I want to be, and I try to revisit it daily. I recognize myself in this list + I'm reminded that this self is beautiful.
Skip, if it feels right.
One day my partner + I held hands as we left Target + skipped out into the parking lot. We were just happy + laughing + when we got to our car a man told us that seeing that did his heart good. It was just such an unselfconscious, playful moment. It did our hearts good too.
Splurging can mean different things.
There have been moments in my life when a shared slurpie on a 95F degree day or a shared donut on a random afternoon have been true splurges. I remember those moments decades later, because they really did feel so splurgy + extra sweet.
Find a pair (or two) of signature shoes.
My partner + I both believe that the classics (our classics) are the best shoes. He's always worn Vans. We were 19 when we met, and his Vans were purple. Today, I own three pairs of Birks + wear a pair every day.
Figure out what works for your skin.
I'll sing the praises of Everyday Oil until the day I die. I use it morning + night, never use soap on my face (unless I go for a really sweaty bike ride or something). Since I started using Everyday Oil, acne flares + flaky skin are no longer issues. It costs less than so many other products, and its packaging is beautiful, reusable + recyclable.
And then (pretty much) skip the make up.
Lip balm + mascara + done. I only ever wore makeup to cover acne. I was always envious of the fresh faced girls in junior high + high school. Lipstick was fun, but kissing my babies without leaving a mark was even more fun.
Whether it's creating a home or your style, do it yourself.
We never had much money, but I always thought that the homiest, coziest, most nourishing spaces were simplest ones. When we moved into a new place (+ we did plenty of that), I'd remove the window coverings, add a lick of white paint + tape the girls' artwork to the walls. Catalog pages would become paper chains for birthdays. Furniture rescued from the side of the road would get recovered with scrap fabric or painted it with leftover paint. Shorts were made out of thrifted skirts + a tops were made out of sweat-stained, button down shirts. Candles are lit, pancakes are made, music is turned up + we dance...still.
Trim all the excess fat.
Once I started reading about environmentalism, minimalism + the working conditions of garment workers, I realized that our monetary limitations could be reinterpreted in my mind as personal choice. This felt quite empowering. I'd always loved thrifting + making + camping + old houses. Now they have an even deeper purpose + meaning. I can't change all that is wrong in the world, but I can change my actions.
That was fun. It feels like I can see myself a little bit more clearly now, and it gives me motivation to embrace all that is simple + good in this life of mine. Wishing you the same!
Much love,
Jane
Embrace the soft pants.
Find a style or two to love + wear the heck out of them. I'm loving pairs from Sokoi + these from Imogene + Willie. They take me from my yoga mat to a coffee hang to work to a night out. This summer I'm wearing them with tank tops. In the colder months they cozy up with little sweatshirts + big pullovers.
Whatever your age is, enjoy living.
The age that I am is rarely exactly how I thought it would be. When I was younger, I thought that people who were the age I am now knew who they were + weren't easily made to doubt it. These years have involved some tangles for me in that department. I have a list of things I want to be, and I try to revisit it daily. I recognize myself in this list + I'm reminded that this self is beautiful.
Skip, if it feels right.
One day my partner + I held hands as we left Target + skipped out into the parking lot. We were just happy + laughing + when we got to our car a man told us that seeing that did his heart good. It was just such an unselfconscious, playful moment. It did our hearts good too.
Splurging can mean different things.
There have been moments in my life when a shared slurpie on a 95F degree day or a shared donut on a random afternoon have been true splurges. I remember those moments decades later, because they really did feel so splurgy + extra sweet.
Find a pair (or two) of signature shoes.
My partner + I both believe that the classics (our classics) are the best shoes. He's always worn Vans. We were 19 when we met, and his Vans were purple. Today, I own three pairs of Birks + wear a pair every day.
Figure out what works for your skin.
I'll sing the praises of Everyday Oil until the day I die. I use it morning + night, never use soap on my face (unless I go for a really sweaty bike ride or something). Since I started using Everyday Oil, acne flares + flaky skin are no longer issues. It costs less than so many other products, and its packaging is beautiful, reusable + recyclable.
And then (pretty much) skip the make up.
Lip balm + mascara + done. I only ever wore makeup to cover acne. I was always envious of the fresh faced girls in junior high + high school. Lipstick was fun, but kissing my babies without leaving a mark was even more fun.
Whether it's creating a home or your style, do it yourself.
We never had much money, but I always thought that the homiest, coziest, most nourishing spaces were simplest ones. When we moved into a new place (+ we did plenty of that), I'd remove the window coverings, add a lick of white paint + tape the girls' artwork to the walls. Catalog pages would become paper chains for birthdays. Furniture rescued from the side of the road would get recovered with scrap fabric or painted it with leftover paint. Shorts were made out of thrifted skirts + a tops were made out of sweat-stained, button down shirts. Candles are lit, pancakes are made, music is turned up + we dance...still.
Trim all the excess fat.
Once I started reading about environmentalism, minimalism + the working conditions of garment workers, I realized that our monetary limitations could be reinterpreted in my mind as personal choice. This felt quite empowering. I'd always loved thrifting + making + camping + old houses. Now they have an even deeper purpose + meaning. I can't change all that is wrong in the world, but I can change my actions.
That was fun. It feels like I can see myself a little bit more clearly now, and it gives me motivation to embrace all that is simple + good in this life of mine. Wishing you the same!
Much love,
Jane
