Blame It All On My Roots

Top: Anthropologie Basketweave Tee - Size S

Pants: The Limited

Shoes: Kensie Girl

Jewelry: The Limited

"It's clear to me, how the roots shape the tree." - Horse Feathers

It's been a few days since I posted on here. I must confess it was an unintended break. You see, I've been trying to get used to my new way of life. You know, the one where I don't buy things. I'm still waiting on the feeling of pride from being fiscally responsible to kick in. So far, the only feeling I have is a strong urge to shop.    

I got paid on Friday, so this past weekend would have usually been spent adding new items to my closet. Instead, I spent it finding things to get rid of. Not only am I on a mission to buy less things, I'm on a mission to simplify my life. I know it isn't going to be easy. All these fourth of July sales going on this week have been killing me. However, instead of trying on new clothes, I'm determined to try on a different way of life.

When I think about it, it seems that happiness to me has always equaled getting new things. I'm the baby of the family (my sister is nine years older than me), so by the time I came around, my parents had a pretty successful farming operation going. They had lots of money at their disposal and didn't mind spending it on me and my sister. Like so many kids, I remember Christmas being the best time of the year. It was great spending time with my family, but I especially loved getting up on Christmas morning and checking out the large spread from Santa. My childhood weekends were spent shopping with my mom and aunt. Every Saturday for years, we would go to the local mall, and I would always get a new toy. I must have had every single My Little Pony in existence in the 80's. During my teenage years, I found a new love in clothes, and my mom didn't mind making the trip to Raleigh to help me indulge in it. By the time I got out of college and started making my own way, I knew no other life than constant consumerism.

I guess this sounds like I'm blaming my reliance on material goods on my parents. I'm not, but I can't deny the influence they had on me. Luckily for me, I got a good degree and have been able to sustain the type of lifestyle I was used to, but I'm at the point in my life where I want to try something different. I want to get back to my real roots - simple country living. I come from generations of farmers on both sides who didn't have the means and didn't feel the need for things. I know my parents wanted a better life for me and that's what motivated them to do the things they did. However, I'm starting to realize that the better life is a simple life. A life not full of things, but a life full of love, laughter, and memories. 

P.S. As I go through this transformation in my life, you will no doubt see a change in the blog. I've got a couple of newer items you still haven't seen yet, like the top I'm wearing. However, in the future, you can expect to see a lot more older items. I hope this will make for a better life and a better blog. 

P.S.S. If this post caused the theme song from Green Acres to get stuck in you head, you are not alone.