I’m going through a phase in my life right now…but it’s more than just a phase.
It’s a transformation. A new way of being. An “up-leveling” of sorts.
Since moving to New York, I’ve been living in a state of more calm and quiet than ever before. Which is both a utopia and a goldmine for a thoughtful introverted boss lady like me, who needs a LOT of alone time to not only recharge my internal batteries, but also to be the observer of my thoughts and what I REALLY want.
On a surface level, this whole notion all started with spring cleaning and buying new furniture for my new house.
For the first time in my life, I splurged on pieces that were not from IKEA or Target. A beautiful (HOT PINK, BTW) desk that will last me for YEARS. A loveseat. New rugs. Furnishing and decorating a house is a work in progress, but the entire intention behind the way I’m living now is quality over quantity. I would MUCH rather spend the extra money now and invest in high quality pieces that will last me a LONG time than buy cheap crappy throwaway furniture that is sure to break in a few years. The new pieces just bring a new energy to the place. A fancy one ;}
Same goes for the random crap I had all over my house (as most of us do). I went through each piece, Marie Kondo-style, and if whatever object I was holding didn’t make me feel instantly happy, it got tossed or donated. I also live and breathe by the “if I haven’t touched it in a year, I’m getting rid of it” motto.
I’m a FIRM believer that (especially as someone who works from home most of the time) that the state of your environment has a direct effect on the state of your mind, which can be good or not so good, depending on how much of a mess you’re living in. Even when the mess is shoved away into a closet somewhere. This also helps me have no emotional attachment to material items because I know that, ultimately, if I REALLY, TRULY needed something that I got rid of, I can just go to the store and buy it. No need to have 25 extra empty picture frames laying around “just in case” I feel like going on a nostalgic photo framing spree one day.
Same goes for clothing. I’m now finding myself spending a lot more money on high-end brands, but I’m also finding that not only do I take care of them more consciously, but I also wear them for WAY longer. Like, YEARS longer. Instead of buying a $100 jacket that I’ll wear for one season, I have a $1000 jacket that I’ve worn for ten years straight, 6 months at a time. Broken down into the cost per wear, it’s certainly been well worth the investment. And, when I go to sell it, it will hold its value FAR greater than a dupe version of the same piece. Plus, wearing nice pieces makes me feel fancy as fuck and I just carry myself differently. It is what it MF is.
If we wanna dig deeper here…food. Especially since 2018 when I went vegan…I became WAY more conscious about what I put into my body and became no longer available for grocery shopping with the intention of buying as much as possible for as little as possible. If I’m not actually going to eat and enjoy what I’m buying, what the fuck is the point of buying it in BULK, or saving $3 to get the crappier version of what I truly want. In my case, I try to buy organic the vast majority of the time unless it’s just not available.
Much like the other examples I gave here, this is also an investment. It’s an investment in the health and longevity of my future self. I would rather get a smaller order of GOOD, high-quality, nutritious, REAL food instead of buying a fuckload of it all at once that I feel just “meh” about to horde, and not enjoy the meals I prepare very much.
Or…friends. I’ve got a big circle of dope acquaintances and colleagues, but the people I keep SUPER close? That number is so small. I would much rather have this be the vibe than be keeping tabs on a fuckload of humans…we only have so much energy to expend in one day!
The bottom line is…I’m following my heart. I’m investing in quality of life. I’m going and doing and being what feels the best to me, using my emotions as my guidance system. What makes me feel lightened up. What makes me feel more alive. Which makes me show up to my own life with more pep in my step, at my best. I’m no longer available for anything that I just feel “meh” or “it’s fine” about, no matter what it pertains to. It’s either a “FUCK YES” or I’m not interested. Thank u, next.
Quality over quantity, always.
xo, alix
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