I think things become THINGS because we are so desperate for connection and belonging. People whose lives are too busy to have their own activities and groups, feel like they belong when they can post a photo of the new THING. People who are lonely feel less lonely when they have the THING, ect. It's almost like they are counting on it to be a conversation starter. Hoping it will draw friendly people to them. What if we all just went back to smiling at strangers? To holding doors open for others? And striking up conversations with strangers while waiting in line or taking the kids to their activities? I think we all just want friends. I think it would be best if we all indulged in what we think is cool, what makes us happy, and then organically find our tribes. Instead of trying to buy our way into tribes.
I had a lot of Things because I was trying to fill holes and be who other people thought I was. But for about a month I have been decluttering. Yesterday I got six inches cut off my hair. I’m taking MY life back. Lol.
I grew up not having Things because my parent wouldn't buy into it. I've stayed off the beaten path because, mostly, I can't afford Things or, I want my things to be something that mean something. My water bottle, with stickers on it, I got from Human Rights Campaign. It's beat up now from me dropping it. I can get another one, but I've grown to love the dents and scrapes. Besides, my Signal Fire sticker is on there.
Don't get me wrong … in my day it was blue Adidas sneakers with white stripes on them and I wanted a pair… I settled for tennis sneakers bought at a wholesale store and my gum soled LL Bean boots. I saved up my babysitting money for Earth Shoes. I shopped thrift stores and raided my mother's closet for finds from the 40's and 50's. I wore my father's Sea Bee bell bottoms. I was and outsider only to find out at a school reunion that I was seen as the coolest kid in class.
I'm still an outsider with a very small tribe who now live nowhere near me. And maybe, just maybe, I'm still cool ;-)
I remember being 15 years old and believing I’d die happy if I could have the Metallica Garage Days box set. I also remember that after I got it, while it was good, it wasn’t as good as I’d built it up to be in my head. It didn’t change my life. It didn’t make me transcendentally happy. I’ve made the same mistake since, more than once, but I’ve also learned to recognise that feeling of “needing” something and sitting with it to see what hole I think it’s going to fill, and nurturing that feeling instead.
I used to work for a guy who continually used a throwaway phrase “the thing is this” when he was about to make a point he wanted you to pay attention to. His next level of serious-ness was “So!, the thing is this…”, and his top level of getting your attention was “So!, the thing is REALLY this”. We all called the third level his “fire-alarm of all things”…lol
I remember getting “things” much later…like when they probably weren’t even “THINGS” anymore…I was so proud when I bought that Sony Sports Walkman - bright yellow, “waterproof”, and those amazing (hard as a rock) earphones…from the discount shelf of a local pharmacy…and all my friends were like - “why now?!”
Well cuz THINGS aren’t free, dammit!
They may cost money, they may cost time, or they may even cost your sanity trying to get and get and get and push everyone out of your way.
I worked retail on Black Fridays - people suck!
It was a “ME” mentality - folks, it’s a freakin TV - not worth fistfights, handcuffs and police cars…guess what - you still didn’t get your TV did you?!
I’ve got too much stuff…and that is also a problem because getting rid of stuff - whoooo weeee - that is hard work! Where to start…well, the answer is not avoiding it and going shopping all weekend (raising my hand here!)…
I never really been into Things, but definitely have too many things. Because I’m not into Things and don’t really spend any time on social media, I forgot about the whole Stanley cup craze. When I saw the title of this my mind went to THE Stanley cup and thought this was gonna be like a how it’s made episode 🤣🤣
I agree wholeheartedly with this concept. I've never been one to care about trendy products and never really understood the appeal. Especially for something as basic as a cup 😂 Things have definitely gotten out of hand with the rise of social media.
However, because I'm a shameless Swiftie and someone who attended the Eras Tour...I do have to go on a slight tangent about Taylor Swift. To me, the Stanley Cup trend and the popularity of Taylor Swift are two very different things. The Stanley Cup is an actual thing, an item we buy and use (and a very basic every day item at that). Taylor Swift is a rare phenomenon. And her concerts (namely the Eras Tour) are an EXPERIENCE. I spent a lot to attend that concert and I have absolutely no regrets. And I never ever spend that much money on stuff like that. But this was an exception. It was a once in a lifetime experience. She 150% lives up to her hype and there's a reason that she is able to unite so many kinds of people from all over the world with her music. She is an incredible performer and mind-blowing to watch. Her shows are quite honestly a spiritual experience. The ways that strangers bond and share a collective experience together...it's art. It's magical. It's all the things. And I am proud to be part of her world.
I think things become THINGS because we are so desperate for connection and belonging. People whose lives are too busy to have their own activities and groups, feel like they belong when they can post a photo of the new THING. People who are lonely feel less lonely when they have the THING, ect. It's almost like they are counting on it to be a conversation starter. Hoping it will draw friendly people to them. What if we all just went back to smiling at strangers? To holding doors open for others? And striking up conversations with strangers while waiting in line or taking the kids to their activities? I think we all just want friends. I think it would be best if we all indulged in what we think is cool, what makes us happy, and then organically find our tribes. Instead of trying to buy our way into tribes.
I had a lot of Things because I was trying to fill holes and be who other people thought I was. But for about a month I have been decluttering. Yesterday I got six inches cut off my hair. I’m taking MY life back. Lol.
I grew up not having Things because my parent wouldn't buy into it. I've stayed off the beaten path because, mostly, I can't afford Things or, I want my things to be something that mean something. My water bottle, with stickers on it, I got from Human Rights Campaign. It's beat up now from me dropping it. I can get another one, but I've grown to love the dents and scrapes. Besides, my Signal Fire sticker is on there.
Don't get me wrong … in my day it was blue Adidas sneakers with white stripes on them and I wanted a pair… I settled for tennis sneakers bought at a wholesale store and my gum soled LL Bean boots. I saved up my babysitting money for Earth Shoes. I shopped thrift stores and raided my mother's closet for finds from the 40's and 50's. I wore my father's Sea Bee bell bottoms. I was and outsider only to find out at a school reunion that I was seen as the coolest kid in class.
I'm still an outsider with a very small tribe who now live nowhere near me. And maybe, just maybe, I'm still cool ;-)
I remember being 15 years old and believing I’d die happy if I could have the Metallica Garage Days box set. I also remember that after I got it, while it was good, it wasn’t as good as I’d built it up to be in my head. It didn’t change my life. It didn’t make me transcendentally happy. I’ve made the same mistake since, more than once, but I’ve also learned to recognise that feeling of “needing” something and sitting with it to see what hole I think it’s going to fill, and nurturing that feeling instead.
I used to work for a guy who continually used a throwaway phrase “the thing is this” when he was about to make a point he wanted you to pay attention to. His next level of serious-ness was “So!, the thing is this…”, and his top level of getting your attention was “So!, the thing is REALLY this”. We all called the third level his “fire-alarm of all things”…lol
I remember getting “things” much later…like when they probably weren’t even “THINGS” anymore…I was so proud when I bought that Sony Sports Walkman - bright yellow, “waterproof”, and those amazing (hard as a rock) earphones…from the discount shelf of a local pharmacy…and all my friends were like - “why now?!”
Well cuz THINGS aren’t free, dammit!
They may cost money, they may cost time, or they may even cost your sanity trying to get and get and get and push everyone out of your way.
I worked retail on Black Fridays - people suck!
It was a “ME” mentality - folks, it’s a freakin TV - not worth fistfights, handcuffs and police cars…guess what - you still didn’t get your TV did you?!
I’ve got too much stuff…and that is also a problem because getting rid of stuff - whoooo weeee - that is hard work! Where to start…well, the answer is not avoiding it and going shopping all weekend (raising my hand here!)…
Things are just things
Let’s start relating to people
Be good to one another
You will get more feels outta that anyway!
I never really been into Things, but definitely have too many things. Because I’m not into Things and don’t really spend any time on social media, I forgot about the whole Stanley cup craze. When I saw the title of this my mind went to THE Stanley cup and thought this was gonna be like a how it’s made episode 🤣🤣
Well, the “ Thing “ is you absolutely nailed this one!!!….. individuality has become a rare trace!!!
I agree wholeheartedly with this concept. I've never been one to care about trendy products and never really understood the appeal. Especially for something as basic as a cup 😂 Things have definitely gotten out of hand with the rise of social media.
However, because I'm a shameless Swiftie and someone who attended the Eras Tour...I do have to go on a slight tangent about Taylor Swift. To me, the Stanley Cup trend and the popularity of Taylor Swift are two very different things. The Stanley Cup is an actual thing, an item we buy and use (and a very basic every day item at that). Taylor Swift is a rare phenomenon. And her concerts (namely the Eras Tour) are an EXPERIENCE. I spent a lot to attend that concert and I have absolutely no regrets. And I never ever spend that much money on stuff like that. But this was an exception. It was a once in a lifetime experience. She 150% lives up to her hype and there's a reason that she is able to unite so many kinds of people from all over the world with her music. She is an incredible performer and mind-blowing to watch. Her shows are quite honestly a spiritual experience. The ways that strangers bond and share a collective experience together...it's art. It's magical. It's all the things. And I am proud to be part of her world.