‘ref 9 blog ' So much of our life is lived in a fog of automatic habitual behaviour , we spend so much time on the hunt, but nothing every quite does it for us and we get so wrapped up in the hunt ..that it kind of makes us miserable.’ -Dan Harris, Author of ‘10% Happier.’
Sitting down this evening I discovered an intriging documentary on Netflix [Minimalism , 2016, Matt D’Avella] I’m not even quarter of the way in , and it took me back to my sketchbook work, and lead me photographically respond. It reminded me of the early research within the project where I looked at Landy’s ‘Breakdown’.
This documentary is about a group of people called the minimalists who previously lived busy , corporate lives driven by the idea of ‘The American dream’ . Upon discovering a void in their lives they decided to make some radical changes.
‘I had everything I ever wanted, I had everything I was suppose to have, everyone around me said ‘You are successful’, but really I was miserable , there was this gaping void in my life so I tried to fill that void the same many people try to do - with lots of stuff . I was spending money faster than I was earning it, attempting to buy my way to happiness..I thought one day I would find it .’
- Ryan Nicodemus ,Minimalist.
Listening to the inspirational way these people were speaking about living a minimalist lifestyle lead me to question the way I live.
I find myself constantly complaining about how much stuff is in my house, how much clutter takes up the room in the drawers, how I have to buy ugly storage to store more stuff.I find 70% of my time spend at home is worrying about de cluttering. That is so much energy spent unnecessarily when I can just try and get rid of clutter. Of course every month or so it goes the better of me and I end up doing an impulsive throw out of my old belongings..only to enjoy the free drawer space for a few more weeks until they fill up again ..thats no way to live!
I even resorted to throwing out my wardrobe last year in order to force myself to downsize to a chest of drawers…did that work? Hell no! I just have a chest of drawer I can never close..looks like advertising really does have a hold..even on me!
I need to break the cycle and teach myself to stop buying things I don’t need.
In response to this documentary and taking in to account Landy’s breakdown piece I decided to collate all my shoes, create an inventory or them and go in to depth as to why they are useful , or why I can’t bring myself to throw them out.
My Shoes - The issue of meaning and attatchment.
Black and white Brogues- The Smart Pair that provoke discussion-My brogues make men jealous and make everyone else think I’m a bit of a flamboyant weirdo.These I nickname my attention seeking shoes.
Black Dr. Martens - These boots have been on my feet 97% of shoe wearing time. They are comfy, reliable and a staple that holds my wardrobe identity together. ( I know how ridiculous this sounds…thats the point!)
Brown Brogues - The pair that appear smart on the surface, but the sole is ugly and chunky, thus rendering them unwearable. They are kept because my Mum gave them to me after I complained about having no shoes when my last house ate 98% of my shoes with mould. I don’t have the heart to throw them away, they are to me…a symbol of my mothers support.
The Black pointed toe tings that lace up with ribbon - I have no idea what possessed me to buy these, I save them in order to not look poor when I go out. They have been worn 0 times.
Chunky Maroon Dr.Martens- Beautifully ugly chunky shoes, and provide me with a good foundation for colour co originating in the winter months ..they become useless in the winter when they destroy my feet.
Black Converse - Bought in attempt to look more like a Mum than a biker when dropping off my son to school.
Blue Converse - Bought in attempt to look like a more mainstream Mum to pick up my son from school. ( Yes I am laughing at this one too.)
White Converse - Bought these once upon a time with a credit card I am now in debt with , they are knackered but I keep them as a reminder to never buy material things you don’t need with a credit card.
Purple Dr. Martens with Mis Matching Laces-A friend gave these to me when I was 17, they have never fit properly, and they are terribly worn..but I feel like if I chuck them in the bin I cut all ties with that friend I used to know.
Black Chunky High Heels - Perfect for turning up to a model casting, convincing them I am tall and/ or can walk in heels. Than you for making me get a 5′8 wage instead of a 5′3 wage, you rock.
Patent , flat looking hairdressers shoes- I wear these when I pretend to be smart and professional- but not for long, They come with several blisters.
Clarkes Boots- I fell in love with these boots, and my Mum remembered my face when I saw them and bought them for me one Christmas, they replaced my Dr. Martens for a good few years. We were both outraged when we saw someone else in them on the street (because they were MY boots) they too are past their sell by date but I use them to go on Woodland walks.
My Summer sandals - The pair I have worn every summer for the last 3 years, they have worn so badly I mended them with a leather needle..they haven’t been replaced because I’m proud my crappy stitch work stayed together.
The whole way through writing these ridiculously honest statements I was laughing to myself- I knew how silly I sounded with the particular meanings I attach to shoes…why don’t you try it? maybe it will encourage you to throw a few things out.. I know my pointy ‘I’m not poor ‘ shoes are going to the charity shop when I finish this blog entry.
