The shoes looked fantastic. On sale, and they had my size. My little arrow hovered over them, and after staring, debating, picturing them with my best jeans, I hit the ‘x’ and left the site.
In my efforts to accumulate less stuff and occasionally flirting with minimalism, I gave myself a pat on the back. Those shoes were really, really cute. But a sigh later, I went to bed.
A couple of weeks ago, I was looking at my book wish list (which keeps growing), and in the mood I was in, I clicked. And clicked. Seven books were set to automagically zoom over to my house in a couple of days. I didn’t give myself a pat on the back. I just smiled big for the rest of the day.
I love the idea of less stuff, particularly the part about saving money, not having to keep track of it or go around picking it up and putting it in the right place. There are things in my house that I’m not sure even have a place.
But driving it down to the bare minimum? I’m not there yet, and not sure I want to be. But the stories of those who’ve “made it”, their bliss is seductive. It gives me a sense of lightness and freedom.
How about those smoothies for a healthier diet? All the skinny beautiful people with their glowing skin, they swear by it, and look lovely in their pictures. I got caught up in the “it’s so easy” enthusiasm of it once and gave it a whirl. Not bad, but I’ve always loved vegetables so I missed eating them.
And that wonderful book that famous person recommended, the one that would change my world? I read it. I learned a thing or two, but the world-changing part? I’m still figuring it out. Next week, I’ll try a different book (I’ll have seven to choose from!), and maybe I’ll learn something that changes my mind.
There is so much advice now you can drown in it. But then, if we don’t learn from each other, we’re wasting a great opportunity. And time. Yet I’ve found the way through the do-or-don’t is to experiment for myself. So much for saving time, huh?
What worked for you may not work for me, but I won’t always know till I try it. And if it doesn’t, and I’m still searching for an idea or a solution or direction, what you did could spark a different idea, guide me to do the complete opposite, or at the very least, help me learn about myself.
When other people’s advice doesn’t work, experiment for yourself.
It’s tempting to want to duplicate someone else’s success. I mean, who doesn’t want success? But success is relative and rarely lives on the streets of shortcuts. Sometimes even beautiful people don’t have someone who loves them.
Today, I typed in a question asking how to duplicate a document in my folder. Thanks to Google (and other people), it worked like a charm. Success!
As a writer, I know the seduction of using “study the craft” as a form of Resistance.
Sometimes we should be learning.
Sometimes we should be practicing.
Sometimes we should be doing, without any focus on the other two. Just create, accomplish, progress, do, and finish.
When I get that balance right, I secretly know I’m one of the beautiful people. And I don’t even drink smoothies.
Some secrets should be stay hidden, but sharing our gifts shouldn’t be one of them (hint hint). Let’s all stay beautiful as often as we can. Smoothies optional.