Perhaps as one gets older our prospective shifts and our ability to evaluate becomes so sharp that we find it painful either physically or emotional or even spiritually to chase the “lifestyle.” What seemed so important growing up until now is well ‘not so’ and whether through necessity or boredom we seek within.
First on the outside: I desire clothes that actually come in trends that actually suit ones body type (not necessarily gender) as opposed merry-go-round of changing fashion trends that are restricted to age and weight. If you are like me you desire clothes that are cut to fit and fare on the body no matter the size and shape instead of mass produced activewear. Activewear has it’s place but really affordable clothes are basically dressed up PJ’s and super thin materials guaranteed to last until you wear it, once. I have no beef with being creative and reinventing style etc. but when the prospective shift comes, you’ll buy less!
Gone will be the importance of matching sets, double accessories and numerous overpriced jewelry and bags. Your fingers swell so you either have to resize, switch fingers, forgo altogether or buy new. Let it go! As for bags, remember your shoulder and wrists will ache so bags because a different priority altogether. Better to get a nice light weight cross body with possible handle and call it a day while others prefer the “fanny pack” to each their own. Maybe two bags if you live in a climate that changes – my rule is if you loose it will it matter?
For Clothes: Wear what you like in the colors that suit you and is appropriate for your situations. What is so refreshing about the generations after me is that they embrace color and wearing clothes outside of the mainstream media. I celebrate this global influence by wearing a Sari like garment or long cotton shirts in the summer. Breathable material, drawstring or elastic waist for comfort and pleats/patterns that give it the necessary hint of style.
Investments mentality: It is amazing how people judge what they deem worth. Much of the worth of youth is focused on outward appearances and that is not always a bad thing. We are social creatures and likeness or the duplication of likeness is pretty much human nature at this point. However, likened to age the financial status is declining and so is how we view our “investments.”
So purchases for investment are basically a thing of the past for most working Americans. The raise in small crafted businesses, man made stones and decline is fur coats, unreachable capital for designer hand bags and other items are tell tale signs. Value and worth (as in worth to oneself) has changed. While companies still sell the “dream” of glamour or escape people don’t tend to buy it – no pun intended. But they sure do watch it on TV. I see Bling this and Bling that reality shows from different countries. Oh, Boy. These show paint a window dressing of what is deemed luxury but the more you own the more it owns you. Perhaps with age or from necessity people are starting to think about being their own investment as opposed to owning things or wearing them. Couple this thought with being open to real connections with others and compassion for simple living and the whole world changes. One person at a time! It may not be glamorous or make a reality show but then again life is about living happily, healthy and connected and these things can not be brought or altered by plastic surgery.
In closing:
Life is real, life is self responsible, Life is joyous by its nature, Life has possibilities, Life is experiencing without judgement, Life is connecting with such deep Love. Lifestyles change, Lifestyles demand, lifestyles are consciously imposed, impressed or learned, Lifestyles crave something or some image of yourself that can not be maintained and generally does not align with ones higher self. Lifestyle is not bad or good it is an immersive experience that encompasses most of ones time, effort and energy for little inward benefits.
Words to ponder: May you shred what does not work for you, stop to ponder if comparing yourself to others has any real value and move forward living your life with grace, balance, self-love and compassionate actions towards all things.
RA