8.12.2010

less stuff, more life


My friend Sara posted this excellent article earlier this week, and I love where this conversation is headed. It seems everyone is investing more in their personal, quiet lives and letting go of the superficial, material drive for more. The mad dash to go!go!go! and the feelings of entitlement have seemed to bow to the more humble mantra of " I have enough. I have more than I will ever need."

When gratitude for what we have replaces greed for what we don't, we find abundance, and that abundance changes who we are. We finally learn that WE are the creators of our own happiness and stop buying into and believing in the myth that happiness can be bought on credit. We stop relying on things to fill in our empty spaces, and start cultivating relationships and creating fulfilling experiences. We become accountable our happiness.

This is my favorite part of the article:


"According to retailers and analysts, consumers have gravitated more toward experiences than possessions over the last couple of years, opting to use their extra cash for nights at home with family, watching movies and playing games — or for “staycations” in the backyard. Many retailing professionals think this is not a fad, but rather “the new normal.”

“I think many of these changes are permanent changes,” says Jennifer Black, president of the retailing research company Jennifer Black & Associates and a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors in Oregon. “I think people are realizing they don’t need what they had. They’re more interested in creating memories.”


The second part of the article addresses how retailers are adjusting to the "new normal", and how they have begun to rethink their strategies. Companies such as Kling and Chance, who offer gorgeous lookbooks and inspiring manifestos, showing creativity and vision in place of consumerism and consumption. I find these companies to be incredibly refreshing + brilliant; I love finding people who love + believe in what they do and the products they sell.

Read the article and tell me what you think, I would love to hear your thoughts!


Photos from Kling's stunning summer line. Happy Thursday, peeps! B and I are headed to The Lion King this afternoon, and I'm incredibly excited. I'll be popping in tomorrow for a bit, see you then! xoxoxo

5 comments:

(V.Kerr) School Time Adventures said...

Wow 100 items, seems like a lot but if you realize that has to include your pots, shoes, lotions, etc. I can see how that # could easily reach 200-300 items.
I have days where I wish I could have 2 cars, and I think it would make my life so much easier, but with a few adjustments it's always works out.

Hayley said...

I love reading your blog, you always have links to really great articles that make me think about my own lifestyle. I have way too much "stuff" but I have also always tried to spend my money on experiences as well. This post inspires me to get rid of the clutter! Thanks so much for blogging and sharing!

Lacey. Kellen. Beck. said...

Rachel! I came across your blog via facebook. Love it. I'll be checking often now! Hope you're well and love and appreciate you're thoughts! Thanks!

Rachel Swan said...

V: I hear you on the 2 cars thing! It does always seem to work out, though.

Hey, Hay! I didn't know you read my blog! I'm so happy to hear from you! I LOVE looking at your super cool travel photos, I'm just a little jealous:)

Lacey Face(was that ever a nickname for you? I hope so.): How are you? I'm so glad you said hi! Hope all is well with you and your little fam.

Sherry said...

I recall Katelyn calling her Laceface.