2 years (and a little) ago when I first moved out to Boston I had a lot of philosophies brewing in my head--one of which was that buying things is dumb. so for a while I shunned Targets and gave thoughtful letters instead of gifts and did whatever shopping I did need at second hand shops (me thrift store shopping, I know it's hard to believe). and then for a while I was unemployed and didn't have money to spend anyway. then it was really easy to be anti-stuff.
so now I am so blessed to have a new job. My first real job as a college graduate--by "real" I mean one which truly requires the education I have painstakingly payed for for the last 10 or so years.
I am working as a research assistant at Harvard's School of Public Health on a study looking at the causes of autism. I have a cubicle! (which is supposed to be a bad thing, I'm aware, but which to me is highly exciting) and a salary and I take lunch breaks. It's all very grown-up.
along with being grown-up and full time I decided I wanted to dress professionally. I bought some slacks and some shirts to go with my slacks. then I realized I needed shoes, and then of course Leslie taught me about trouser socks. I bought a dress coat (my old coat had a hole in the lining so you never knew if your arm was going to end up coming out the sleeve, or stuck somewhere in the abyss inside of it). Looking so great made me finally accept that my current messenger bag was too holey and shabby to see the light of Harvard, so I borrowed a bag of Leslie's while I search for one of those too.
there's still the matter of grown-up makeup and jewelry, hair styles. who knows what else. Being a woman suddenly seems to require a whole lot of accessories. And suddenly I am remembering why I swore off materialism in the first place: because having more leads to wanting more, leads to having more and up and up until I don't know what happens. until you end up in a park somewhere chasing down squirrels and calling them "baby" (note: this lady exists)
maybe materialism isn't bad. Maybe it just seems excessive because I'm trying to make up for years and years of living like a hippie. afterall, the things which I am replacing are things which I've loyally used for years (and have the holes to prove it).
I don't know, I'm still seeking further enlightenment. enroute, however, I'm also in the market for a good desk calendar, if you have any suggestions..
4 comments:
congrats, you woman you! way to bust into the professional world and be so cool. Imho, you can still live true to your philosophies of eschewing worldliness, and look good and fit into your work environment. You can thoroughly use things and have a nice selection. The trick here will be taming and breaking the greed beast as it tries to break free rather than completely starving it. It's a harder task to use discretion and will-power, but it is possible :) and you can still have unique style and responsible philosophies while finding your place in the professional world. that's what I think anyway. You can still be loyal to your things and use them til they can't be used anymore. It's true- it's hard to part with things that you were so loyal to, but it's ok to have a thankful farewell and replace it with something you will love and be loyal to for the next years until it wears out. oh, but please don't succumb to the world of "grown-up" hairstyles. That's an unnecessary societal convention. and no need to go crazy accessorizing extensively either. says I.
"here babies, babies, babies!"
erin. hi. i think it's so cool that you've been avoiding materialism. i also think it's so cool that you have an awesome new job that you love. i just say "amen" to your friend who commented above. do the best you can to take care of the new things you've bought and use them out like the old stuff. it's also fun to find accessories (if you choose) at thrift shops and even nice clothes and shoes (but i think you already know that if you've been buying at second hand shops for a while). i think you're awesome, i'm glad you're happy too.
thank you guys. you set my heart at ease like true friends.
I knew I liked you..!
What a fun and terrifying adventure, to be sure. Recently a friend handed me a big pile of books on earning money and I am having such a hard time getting through them, for many of the same reasons. Truth is, I need them for school, but I am a bit terrified of forgetting what I'm all about, I know it's so hard.
With you, though, I bet it won't be that much of a stretch to stay yourself, just with some cuter things to choose from;)
Please, though, no hair craziness.
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