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Bobby + Steven Clark's beautiful + simple home via
Creative people are incredibly inspiring. Creative people love to be inspired. Inspiration comes in many forms + some people like to collect it. I love to comb through photos of homes for the little things that people find inspiring. What speaks to them? What stories do those objects tell? Homes full of treasures look vibrant + interesting. They make their owners look vibrant + interesting. I want that too. I mean, the flea market is still one of my favorite places on earth.
I have to remind myself often...why less. It's quite apparent around here, I'm sure. :) Why not just collect rather than curate...keep instead of letting go. More might offer more options...give me the ability to exercise creativity + freedom of expression. Keeping the pieces that speak to who I was + where I've been would tell my story...give me a sense of grounding + history.
So this, as always, is personal, not prescriptive...just some thoughts. I admire collections + colors + stories. I've had small collections of beautiful Italian tole + tiny 1800s novels + vintage shell boxes (each consisted of about three). :) And then we moved overseas + I let most of my things go. Now I have a small collection of handmade pottery. I appreciate quiet spaces + pared down color palettes. Seeing images of these kinds of spaces (like the inspiring one above) help to keep me on track. Today, I am simply reminding myself of a few reasons that I chose + continue to choose less...no judgements.
I have to remind myself often...why less. It's quite apparent around here, I'm sure. :) Why not just collect rather than curate...keep instead of letting go. More might offer more options...give me the ability to exercise creativity + freedom of expression. Keeping the pieces that speak to who I was + where I've been would tell my story...give me a sense of grounding + history.
So this, as always, is personal, not prescriptive...just some thoughts. I admire collections + colors + stories. I've had small collections of beautiful Italian tole + tiny 1800s novels + vintage shell boxes (each consisted of about three). :) And then we moved overseas + I let most of my things go. Now I have a small collection of handmade pottery. I appreciate quiet spaces + pared down color palettes. Seeing images of these kinds of spaces (like the inspiring one above) help to keep me on track. Today, I am simply reminding myself of a few reasons that I chose + continue to choose less...no judgements.
Less means I'm using less resources.
Letting go means that someone else can get some use out of some of my things.
I only have the ability to wear one outfit...sit in one chair...eat off one plate...at a time.
Creativity can be even more challenged with less...and good things can happen.
There is enough for everybody's need, but some are still in need.
Keeping things until they are way past out-of-style helps no one, especially not the earth.
Having less makes it more likely that my pieces will get used up.
Thrift shops allow a community to share + have access to quite a variety of items.
Making use of second hand (buying/selling/donating) means less new resources are used.
Buying less means less waste.
Less is lovely.
Less makes it easier to clean + care for my stuff.
Less is all I need.
Less is enough.
I think, for me, my commitment to "less" mainly comes down to preference, but also to resources, waste + need. An even more concise way to explain the second part of this commitment might be...compassion...compassion for other humans + for the planet we share. I choose to keep my hands open...consuming thoughtfully with concern for farmers, garment workers, and the environment...caring for my things mindfully...but not holding on too tight.
A closet full of blankets might provide warmth for a whole family in a shelter. An extra dress in my closet might empower another mama to show up for that job interview or to face her child's teacher. That second set of dishes in the pantry might provide a family with a sense of home once resettled.
My home + my wardrobe tell different stories now, and I'm ok with that.
Love,
Jane
All lovely photos via link.
Letting go means that someone else can get some use out of some of my things.
I only have the ability to wear one outfit...sit in one chair...eat off one plate...at a time.
Creativity can be even more challenged with less...and good things can happen.
There is enough for everybody's need, but some are still in need.
Keeping things until they are way past out-of-style helps no one, especially not the earth.
Having less makes it more likely that my pieces will get used up.
Thrift shops allow a community to share + have access to quite a variety of items.
Making use of second hand (buying/selling/donating) means less new resources are used.
Buying less means less waste.
Less is lovely.
Less makes it easier to clean + care for my stuff.
Less is all I need.
Less is enough.
I think, for me, my commitment to "less" mainly comes down to preference, but also to resources, waste + need. An even more concise way to explain the second part of this commitment might be...compassion...compassion for other humans + for the planet we share. I choose to keep my hands open...consuming thoughtfully with concern for farmers, garment workers, and the environment...caring for my things mindfully...but not holding on too tight.
A closet full of blankets might provide warmth for a whole family in a shelter. An extra dress in my closet might empower another mama to show up for that job interview or to face her child's teacher. That second set of dishes in the pantry might provide a family with a sense of home once resettled.
My home + my wardrobe tell different stories now, and I'm ok with that.
Love,
Jane
All lovely photos via link.
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