So, in browsing blogs I like, I discovered an interesting question that an interesting woman posed from an apparently interesting article:
American’s don’t know how to savor. They only know how to consume.
(this may have been a better stream of consciousness topic) I stand in a very uncomfortable position on this very issue. On the one hand, I wholeheartedly agree. On the other, I like to consume.
I’m constantly battling between wanting to go through the simple feng shui de-clutter everything and live very simply and then on the other hand, I want a Hogan bag and a Juicy smocked dress. And I’m not sure if I’m a sucker for the mass media and consumer society or if I really just like these nice things and also happen to really love reading about and experiencing the simple life.
I am very interested in the Slow Food Movement, for one. And I do my best to support the smaller gorgeous markets with gorgeous smaller market food items. I think that we should all be eating artisan breads and cheeses and local wine with local fruit and savor them in candlelight in stone cottages in big fields - you get the point.
And yet, I eat almost all of my meals (though they are home-cooked) sitting on the couch with a book open and something in the DVD player.
I’m working on the art of the single meal, eaten by candlelight (I do sometimes remember to light the triple wick as a mock fireplace) and savoring every bite and really focusing on eating what I’ve created with good quality ingredients and a fine glass of wine.
But then, the point of the getting the good ingredients is to “consume” from these smaller gourmet artisans and thereby support them. So the real question is, can I make the same argument for consuming haute couture?
I don’t think being simple and having a less cluttered life means deprivation. Silence when you are eating is great once in awhile to ’savor’ the moment and let your mind meditate or wander. But like anything, too much of a good thing…. makes me numb to it. Nice blog you have here!
Comment by Dawn — April 9, 2005 @ 11:05 pm
I don’t think that being simple means deprivation. A few nice quality things can go along way. It the stuff that we seem to devour and toss that give us a bad name. Like anything though, even silence during a meal can become a numbing experience because you stop appreciating it. So once in awhile is good, in my opinion. As the saying goes… to much of a good thing…
Nice blog you’ve got here, I like it!
Comment by Dawn — April 9, 2005 @ 11:10 pm
Hi Chloe — got your blog URL from the Frugal for Life blog, where that interesting question was posed. I agree with your viewpoint 100%. I too wish to live a simple life, but want to dabble in the art of cooking with high quality ingredients to fully enjoy the sumptuous taste, and to purchase quality things that will last and look good. There’s that saying that goes, “Being cheap doesn’t pay”. Yes, I’m a budding foodie and I prefer to purchase quality goods that will last and make me FEEL HAPPY - I won’t feel happy if I’m surrounded by cheap shoddiness that wears out in a few years (or months!).
Comment by Amy — April 10, 2005 @ 12:44 am
I think simple living doesn’t mean that you are deprived. A nice car or shoes that you make last 5-10+ years is good. Keeping minimal, Quality items are great. But like the saying goes.. ‘to much of a good thing, blah blah…
Comment by Dawn — April 10, 2005 @ 6:35 pm
Thanks for the comments - it’s good to know that there are others who feel the same way. I constantly struggle between “simple” and “frugal” which I think is also part of this dichotomy.
Comment by Chloe — April 10, 2005 @ 6:58 pm
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Comment by testanchor160 — October 15, 2005 @ 10:27 pm