A couple of weekends ago we went to Aamodt’s Apple Farm and picked up some fresh apples. This is one of my absolute favorite things to do as soon as fall rolls around and it was so much fun to go with Kit this year! She was ENAMORED with the apples! She giggled at them, tried to grab them all, and when I set her down and let her play with a couple you would have thought I was giving her an ice cream cone! I love family traditions and I am so excited to continue to share them with Kit.
Speaking of traditions, every morning I get an e-mail from Skye Jethani and I like to read them to Kit (I am fully aware that she doesn’t understand, but you know, whatever). This morning I really resonated with what he had to say, especially this quote:
Everywhere we turn we are told what we lack, what we should have, or what new addition to our lives will finally make us feel whole. We strive forward on a treadmill of discontent powered by the advertising industry and a culture that says we are what we own.
Can I hear an “amen”?! So often we see something that we should be admiring, but instead we look at it with greed and envy (I talked a little bit more about that here). I love how Jethani uses the metaphor of a treadmill… it’s the perfect way to describe how I feel sometimes. It seems like I’m always running, running, running towards this elusive place where I will finally be content with what I have. I hate that I feel that way. I hate that I fall for the ploys of advertising. I hate that I feel like I am what I own. Because you know what? I’m never going to find contentment through consumerism and I am so much more than what I own. And so are you! It’s so hard to rise above what our culture so often uses as a measurement for worth, but we are so much more than our possessions! If we all decided to start seeing people… I mean REALLY seeing them for who they actually are instead of for what they have, we would start treating people as if they were worth something. So often I place people on this imaginary hierarchy based on whether or not I think their possessions are “cool” (or, let’s be honest, how similar they are to me). That’s terrible! I should be treating people with respect and dignity because they are made in God’s image. I want to work on this. I want to work on seeing past what people have and just loving them because, in the end, we’re all human. That should be all that matters right?
Does anyone else struggle with this? Do you have a hard time seeing past what people own? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Until next time,
Your daughter is adorable! Love both of your styles 🙂 I love browsing ThredUp! I haven’t boughten anything in awhile though. It seems like their prices have gone up. Love those jeans you scored though 🙂
I definitely think that ThredUp is hit or miss! It took several months of searching on their website before I find these… mostly because I was looking for a specific color WITH a high waste. I actually ended up getting them for $5 because I had credit from things I sold! 🙂 And thank you! You are so sweet!
I can totally relate to this. It’s so easy to get sucked into a world of dressing my kids the best and making sure we have the trendiest new items.
Right?! It’s so refreshing when you can get rid of those pressures we put on ourselves!
As a style blogger I totally struggle with this also! But on a side note you made me want to go apple picking!
Haha! Totally get it. And it was so fun so you should go!
i’ve definitely noticed this since moving back stateside. we instantly felt the pull of consumerism and i’ve found myself wanting to click more and more on the pinterest’s ‘5 ways to make your life better blah blah’. what i love most about living in europe is that the experience of life means more than the stuff to fill it with. do you want that sweater or do you want to go to spain this weekend? um, duh 😉
I love hearing a perspective from outside the States. I find that mindset so refreshing… one thing I love about doing this capsule wardrobe is that it forces me to focus more on experiencing life just like you said!
I wish we had a place to go Apple picking around here! Such a fun family activity. Your little one is adorable, and I love that wine/burgundy colour for fall!
I also love the jeans. What brand are they? I’m actually trying to minimalize what I have. My goal is to have 100 personal belongings. Whenever I say that it freaks my husband out. But we’re wanting to live in an RV within three years so that’s our goal.
Thanks! They are !iT jeans. I had never heard of them before, but they are sold at Amazon… although I couldn’t find the exact style. I’m impressed that you are trying to get down to 100 personal belongings! I don’t think I could live in an RV, although it would be fun to have one to travel around in!
apples and cute babies and jeans – i love it! 😀
Thanks Andi!
<3 What a fun day at the apple farm! I love how going to farms makes me want to live simply and intentionally. I need to find an apple farm to take my family to! <3
I agree! I think Fall in general kind of does that for me.
I totally understand with wanting to dress your kids in the “best” (in my case I value the best quality of clothes). Thankfully I have been blessed with many many hand-me-downs from friends and did not need to buy lots of everyday clothes and I was able to splurge/invest on the things that we needed to last (like outerwear and shoes) if we plan to have a big family with lots of kids.
Definitely! And that’s a good idea… although it’s really hard for me to spend $80+ on a coat for her… 🙂
This is so true! I find myself basing my worth of my possessions all the time or comparing myself to others. I think if we all changed our attitudes the world be a better place. Well said. xo~ Megan The Fashionista Momma
Thank you Megan! It’s so hard not to isn’t it?
I love your apple picking pictures! So cute! I often feel stuck in wanting wanting wanting, too. I think there are some great ways to stay simple, now if only I could put them into place. 😀
Right?? It’s easy to SAY you’re going to do it… 🙂
You shared quiet a word! This is a great way to look at the fight against mass and blind consumerism. I look at it in terms of sustainability and making wise choices for the earth, and this is another way to add to the fight!
Definitely! I love how we each have our own unique passions that we can bring to the table… if we all work together then we would have a complete answer! 🙂
Hello howwwww do you make flares look so good!? Haha. I hated them, but they look amazing on you. I love the vintage feel to this outfit! Also, I want that donut. NOW. Haha.
Gee thanks Misty! You’re making me blush! 🙂 I can’t lie… it was a pretty amazing donut!
your crimson red cardigan and striped tee are perfect for your apple picking date! And the bell bottom jeans are a current fave of mine, too!
Thanks Sylvie!
What an adorable baby! I love the flared jeans <3
Thank you Wendy!
Your daughter is so cute! So jealous, I would have love to take my son to an orchard. You are so right about consumerism…it is so American. I remember the days when something broke down, we just fixed it. Here we are we replaced a perfectly ok iPhone with a new version.
Thank you Madelaine! And you’re right about our need to replace things that are perfectly good!
I agree about consumerism. I just started spending less. I also go to a thrift shop for most my clothes.
Thrift stores are the best!
I totally read things aloud to Aiden that he wouldn’t understand when he was a baby! 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only one haha!
Excellent Article! We should be focusing on experiences instead of things. Stuff doesn’t define us.