Not Buying It

Following is an email Emily sent me that she asked me to post.

I like her idea of a "book club". I was thinking it would be fun to have some sort of Green Mommy get-together. Maybe we could have some sort of standing date once a month. Let me know what you think.

Jennifer

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Hi Jennifer -

I really enjoyed your blog entry today about shopping (or not shopping). I have had the same sorts of thoughts. I have tried to figure out why I shop and have realized that many times it is out of boredom. I think we are taught at an early age through TV commercials, peers, EVERYWHERE we turn...that shopping will make us happy, bring us excitement, contentment etc. I have been slowly learning that it does none of those things LONG term. In fact, I feel it does the opposite. The more I look around at all our "stuff" the more I feel weighted down, heavy, "consumed" as a consumer. I have caught myself buying things because they were cheap, not because I needed them MANY times. The times when I am able to resist buying something I initially had an impulse to buy or give away things that were just cluttering our lives instead of adding to our lives, I have felt lighter, even happier.

I remember during one episode on Oprah (yes I am guilty of being an Oprah watcher) she had on a guest that helped people "purge" their unnecessary belongings that were literally causing chaos in their lives, relationships, marriages, etc. These people were wading in stuff in their homes and it was all because they thought that the more "stuff" they had, the happier they would be. Anyway, he explained that many people view their stuff as a life raft/safety net when really it is an anchor pulling them down.

There is a book I have been wanting to read called "Not Buying It: My Year without Shopping" by Judith Levine, ever since I heard her interviewed on NPR's Forum program a month or two ago. I bet you can listen to it online if you wanted (kqed.org). But it was a really interesting interview about her insights, struggles, inspiration during that year of not (or very limited) buying STUFF.

I don't envision myself not buying anything for the next year, or even the next week....or day (in fact, I think in our society that is virtually impossible since we no longer make our own food, clothes etc) but I do think the book would pose some interesting discussion topics and thought if you and the other moms involved with your Eco-blog were interested, we could read the book together and set up a meeting time in the next month or two to discuss it...What do you think?

I would have posted this on your blog but I don't know how yet. I have just figured out how to comment...Maybe you could post this email on your blog and see if there is any response?

Thanks Jennifer. I appreciate your blog and have really appreciated all the ideas and insights from everyone. Living in more environmentally friendly ways is a gift to ourselves and our chidlren that will continue on for generations....

Emily