Day 101/366 days Towards Self-Mastery. Mood: feeling accomplished
When it comes to thrift shopping for clothing I'm no expert. To be able to find labels at ridiculously give-away prices is a gift, and not one that I have perfected.
Too spoiled by the pleasure of shopping for quality I just can't get myself into the feel of hunting our bargains in a thrift shop. If you've managed to achieve this, good on you. From what I hear, it's well worth the effort.
Foraging in consignment shops and vintage clothing stores is where you'll find hidden bargains.
The idea is to make a point this week of visiting your favourites or exploring those you haven't yet discovered. In view of the fact that we are all in isolation, you'll probably have to follow my cue and head for Pinterest!
For me, I'll thrift shop for just about anything else, from garden tools to furniture, but when it comes to what I wear, I have my gardening kit, then I prefer to have just a few really nice pieces that I wear regularly than a load of pieces that I didn't enjoy purchasing.
So it's more than just the price for me, it's the feel of the whole experience.
On the other hand, give me a few hours in a recycle shop and I'll come out armed with all sorts of goodies, from vintage garden tools to art deco mirrors, pieces of furniture begging to be uplifted with a coat of chalk paint, pieces of thingies to make into bug hotels and old chairs for my deck.
Recently I've ferreted out beautiful pieces of pottery, large candelabras and crockery jars to help to balance feng shui in my home.
That's where I find my joy. Lovingly restored pieces of furniture discovered in tip shops that are perfect for my tastes make my home cosy and lived in.
For clothing, I'll save my pennies for that piece that I truly covet.
366 days Towards Self-Mastery
When I considered my New Year's intentions for 2020 I had just one: To allow my heart to love what it loved...and let it lead me. (If not now, then when?)
I've spent months working on integrating my life. To live life more fully with my home life, my interests, my work, my responsibilities, all coming together, all connected. I want to give each the attention that they desire and need, and still have time and energy for the others. That means living and working from the heart.
As I was clearing out my bookshelf over the Christmas break I discovered Simple Abundance. I set it aside to explore it on New Year's Day as I lazed through another delicious day of nothingness. Sarah, the author, says this book is about living in grace. Living in grace I realised, is about Self-Mastery.
My thirst for understanding the human condition has driven me all my life, and hand-in-hand with self-mastery it has been a life-long goal. And seeing as I love to write, that living in grace is about self-mastery, and I love a bit of a challenge, then if I am truly going to let my heart lead, I really don't have any other choice. So scary as it feels, I'm starting out on a daily mission of leaning into the suggestions of this daybook and making a daily post to keep me accountable. If not now, then when?
I'm Josie. You can find out a little more about me here.
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy: by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
This book is written for the Australian and NZ market because it refers to seasonal changes. It's available on Amazon here if you'd like to follow along.