Shopping as a Necessity, Not a Sport

My relationship to food and shopping for food has become much more meaningful since I've not been shopping for other items. I wake up early each Sunday and make my way to the local farmer's market, where I stock up on salad mix, oranges, fish, and herbs. I take time when I'm there. I see the vibrancy of colors and smells and really enjoy the process of speaking with the farmers who have grown my food. I think, in a way, it has replaced my hobby of shopping for sport. Because it's still shopping, but it's shopping out of necessity. Which has both a value and a purpose.

Mike and I reap the benefits for the rest of the week. Each night as I cook, I revisit what I've purchased and it nourishes and gives our bodies the energy we need. Much more so than a stupid sweater or hat.

-Courtney

You know you're doing good when...

You know you are doing good when a place you used to shop sends you a "We miss you card" and offers you 20 bucks towards your next purchase.

Sorry, DSW. I don't miss you. I actually forgot about you.

-Courtney

Ownership, Entitlement, & Pittsburgh Street Parking

You’re a Pittsburgher if:
• You know at least three people named after Terry Bradshaw
• Your local bar has a “Yings & Wings” night which you attend frequently
• You expect french fries to come on top of your chicken salad
• You can make a four course meal out of perogies
• You save your parking spot with a chair

Until this last snowstorm, I guess I wasn’t a true Pittsburgher because I prided myself in never having defended a parking space with a chair. In fact, the whole idea of claiming a section of public roadway as personal property seemed undemocratic- a real slap-in-the-face to the concept of creating community.

But then I spent 2 ½ hours digging my car out from under a mound of snow and ice.

Since the street parking around my house was cut by at least a third due to poor snow removal, my neighbors were becoming protective of their parking spaces. Slowly, chairs, garbage cans, flower planters, tires, and saw horses began to hold the place of SUV’s and minivans.

And then I joined in the hysteria. For nearly a week, I lugged an old green chair from my porch to save “my” parking spot as I went about my day. I would even call Brian in the evening when I was a few minutes away and have him remove the chair and stand guard until I could safely tuck my VW Rabbit into its rightful slot.

However, yesterday I was running late for an appointment and forgot to grab the chair. When I returned home, my spot was occupied and I had to park three blocks away. I was furious. I thought about writing a mean message in the dusting of snow sticking to the windshield of the problem vehicle. Something like: “How dare you take my parking space!” or “MOVE or DIE” or “ F--- You!”

Luckily, I took a deep breath and came to my senses before I made a fool of myself.

As I write this, I’m still stunned at the attachment I cultivated for a parking space. But, if I’m honest, the emotions and sense of entitlement that bubbled up to the surface in this situation are no different than my reactions when other possessions (and even relationships) in my life are threatened. I’m certainty not proud of this character trait, but I’m thankful to have exposed it and hope to correct it.

And, Lee Anne– you & Paul will be relieved to know that I’ve decided never to save a parking spot again.

~Stacey

Sorry, couldn't help it. I wanted to add what I originally came to post, too:

I just read Thich Nhat Hanh's book, The Heart of Understanding. I love him, if you've never read him. He's a Vietnamese Buddhist and he has the most simple, lovely things to say. The whole book is about inter-being, how we are in and a part of everything. Nothing is separate, everything is empty of itself because it is a part of everything. A piece of paper has sunlight in it because the tree it took to make it is made from the sunlight it needed to grow. We are in that piece of paper because we cut the tree down and made it.

In a time of reflection and in working with this project, I find the less I have and the less I want to have, the more I see myself in all the things that I am already surrounded by. Pretty cool.

-Courtney

A Piggyback on Reflection

I sat down to write something else this morning, but I just read Stacey's last post and it got me thinking. Now winter in California looks nothing like her photo, but its still a time when its cooler and people aren't running to the beach in groups or hosting many cookouts. People stay home more. And I've been staying home a lot. I've found this winter to be extremely reflective and I think that is largely due to this project.

I am so appreciative of the time I've had not running around, exhausting myself shopping and I think I'm also encouraged to do less. I'm not going out to dinner or drinks with friends as much or seeing as many movies...not that people are bad, but I've really enjoyed coming home. I've enjoyed being protective of my time and the people I do fill in it. I've been writing more. Reading more. Sleeping more. And it feels really good. Really peaceful.

I also cleaned closets again this weekend and took a few more bags to goodwill. Feels good to have space. :)

-Courtney

Snowbound & Down

For the last six days I have been virtually trapped in my house due to the two-plus feet of snow that continues to fall on Pittsburgh and my city’s inability to efficiently clear the streets. I ventured out a few times (both on foot and by car) but for the most part I’ve been passing the time by reading, practicing yoga, writing, watching movies, listening to music, and relaxing. It’s been a time of true reflection.

It’s also been great for this project. With no temptation (or ability) to go out and shop, I’ve had a chance to really take inventory of the stuff in my life. The guitars I barely play anymore, the Rosetta Stone (Spanish addition) I had to have– but barely use, the CD’s, DVD’s, books, plays, magazines that are now more decorations than constructive tools employed in my everyday life.

So, I’ve decided to go through my belongings and as we remodel our home, I plan to donate or sell ANYTHING that hasn’t been used (by me or Brian) in over a year. I will keep you updated on the tally (and let you know what Brian thinks of this brilliant idea).

~Stacey

Presents That Have Presence

Yesterday was my birthday, and because I have such wonderful people in my life, I received some wonderful gifts. So many of them weren't physical gifts...things I could hold in my hand and later throw into a closet. These gifts were virtual, a set of yoga classes via a podcast from Stacey(my blog-mate), and a song my boyfriend Mike wrote and recorded for me. My friend Faith gave me the gift of an afternoon together yogaing, lunching, and hours talking and laughing. My mother gave me a gift card to a restaurant which in turn I had a nice meal out with Mike. My friend Monica is planning a birthday outing which will more than likely include dinner and a concert. I also received an array of cards and lovely notes and messages.

These gifts were better than any trinket because they involve time with the people I love, activities to enjoy life, and in turn were so very meaningful. I encourage you to think about what it is you are giving, the next time you have to give a gift. Make sure to give a little of yourself!

-Courtney

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Seeing if the email subscription part we added is working...is anyone receiving email updates?

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Courtney and Stacey

Finding Meaning in Meaningful Things, not Material

So, I haven't written for a week or so. Not because I've lost interest or focus. Not because I cheated and couldn't face you all. I've been taking this week to observe something and not be so quick to judge it. I wanted to think about the WHY's of our purchasing habits and here's what I came up with:

Why do we buy? Well, I think we buy things to fill empty parts of our homes and selves. I think we often feel the need for a quick fix, something to ease our anxieties, sadness, boredom, happiness...really a variety of emotions we may not even realize that we are experiencing. We buy things when we want to celebrate something good that's happened. We buy things to fill up time. To cover up. To clutter up. To add to our lives because we think that having games, clothes, gadgets, and things mean something or add to our worth as people.

What happens when we stop buying? We have more space for love and the people in our lives. We have less to worry about and maintain. We know ourselves better because we have less to be distracted with. We learn to make more of the things we do have and with that, comes gratitude and worth. We have more time. We feel cleaner. We feel expansive.

At least I do.

Now, I know I'm just a month in, but this month has deeply impacted my habits and life choices. I think this may end up being a life choice, not just a choice for this year. I like what I get when I'm not getting.

-Courtney

Get Paid to Recycle Electronics

I heard about this website on npr yesterday. Check it out: www.yourenew.com
~Stacey