We spend a lot of time blogging about stuff, don't we? It's a little weird for me... I've never been a "stuff" person. I'm more of a life and adventure person... Stuff tends to tie us down... I've noticed, that in recent months... I've been collecting more "stuff" than usual... I have a lot of plates that I rarely use. I have glassware that I've never used. Now I find myself spending time trying to organize my stuff... find a place for my stuff... what's up with that? I've designated two whole days of my vacation time next month to organizing "stuff".
Some of my favorite blogs are written by people that apparently have a lot of time and... they've got tons and tons of ... you guessed it... stuff! So why am I buying all this stuff?
Maybe it was that walk in the cemetery Ricky and I took after church tonight... that got my mind thinking in this direction... but anyway...
I was reading one of those favorite blogs tonight and I realized... of all the posts I've read on this blog... not once have I seen any... people... just stuff. It made me feel lonely... sad... life revolving around stuff .
Rethinking stuff down here in French Lique...
21 comments:
Hi Dixie,
Very insightful and very true. I like blogging because of the people connection and not the stuff. If I can't communicate with the blogger at times then what's the point. Cindy
So true Dixie. I am not much of a dish or glass or collectible girl (well, except for books) and my favorite posts to do are usually about family or events. Those are my favorite to read too. I love looking at everyone's lovely homes and tablescapes and such, but they almost don't seem "real" to me if you know what I mean. More like looking at a magazine and dreaming.I think that's why I enjoy Wordless Wednesday so much - I love looking at what people post and try to get a sense of their personality. Kathy
oH, Dixie girl, I am so glad for this post..it makes me feel so much better because, if you read me very much, you know that I blog a lot about my family and friends. I have thought, at times, that bloggers are sick of seeing my family and friends, even in my tablescapes...but...family and friends are what I am about and so...I blog about them.
Like you, tho...I have found myself buying things I really don't need...dishes, flatware, just 'trinkets'....because others in Blogland have them, I guess. Weird!! I refuse to buy any more dishes..I can't find enuf places to stash what I've got. We DO use them...but I sure don't need more.
GREAT POST...
xo bj
Very thought-provoking post, Dixie. Even though I blog about stuff, I think I blog more about family and pictures to go along with the story of some of my stuff. "Stuff" gets broken, but families seem to be a bit more durable for the long run.
Wishing you a happy Memorial Day weekend☺
Dixie, that is a great post. When I first discovered memes, I was hooked. I wanted to do every one of them every week. Then I found that it was just too hard. First, for many of them you have to have lots of "stuff" that I would rarely use.
I do enjoy writing about people and family and things I remember from my childhood. So if I can incorporate a meme around one of those things, then that's great. I think that's why I love Wordless Wednesday. I don't have to buy any "stuff" to participate.
When I first started blogging I found myself wanting more stuff when I already had enough stuff to last me forever and I really had to step back and re-evaluate that I started blogging for companionship and possibly to find a heart type friend. I am over the stuff and while I will share some from time to time I want to know more about experiences, faith and how to get my act together...
The Raggedy Girl
In the process of blogging and reading blogs it can be a little bit like "keeping up witht he Jones's". That is sad. It is only fun to participate in some of the meme's if you truly enjoy it and can afford it or already have all the stuff. I participate in some of the dish stuff if I find it at GW. Spending hundreds to keep up is sad. Great post. Hugs, Marty
Dixie I do hope that your lovely post will help us all! :)
Dixie, you have spoken so well to some things going on in my heart. You are right - so very right. I have been struggling with this for some time. On the positive, from blog friends I have learned to be a thrifty shopper, be creative, re-make, re-do, re-cycle, up-cycle, use what I have in a different way...and that I appreciate. On the negative, it can make you focus and spend precious time and money on "stuff" instead of people. It takes a while to prepare a post, photograph it, write it, post it! That is time that will never be re-spent. I've only been blogging since January, but have been struggling with these same thoughts since February! I have a friend who does NOT have a cell phone, does NOT know how to use a computer, and definitely does NOT read any blogs - I sort of admire her for that! Oh, 2 things....I am so afraid of hackers and identity theft, etc., that I don't show face shots of me or my family (although I did show my daughter and me on Omaha Beach for my most recent post). Is that "over the top"? I don't know. One more random thing....what in the world does the word "meme" mean? I keep seeing that word. Anyway, LOVE your post, appreciate it and the thoughts, and I'll be giving it some more thought. Blessings to you, Linda
Mornin' Ms. Dixie! I don't post as often as most folks for exactly the reasons you have so beautifully articulated. Stuff and things don't 'do' it for me. Don't get me wrong, when something I stumble upon a new something I dearly covet I might write about it .... but it's people, places and experiences that I truly love writing about. Thank you for writing this ....... have an amazing week in French Lique. Cowgirl Up!
Thanks Dixie for the great post! Since I started to blog in November my interest in doing crafts has been awakened...and my stuff is craft supplies to make all those wonderful crafts I see in blogland. Of course, ask my family and they will tell you I've always been a collector of "stuff" which I tell them I'm selling on Ebay! Warm wishes for a great holiday weekend, Esther
Hi Dixie...Great post! I'm afraid, though, that I am guilty of being a stuff collector....mostly from Goodwill. I tell myself that I am helping create jobs. But I do ask myself...why am I putting my perfectly good stuff in the closet to make room for other people's stuff?? So I am really trying to collect less. I am fortunate, however, that a lot of my stuff was my mom's or my grandmother's and has memories attached to it. About the pictures, though...when I first started blogging one of my blogger friends advised me to remove all family photos from my blog. She had a friend whose picture got photoshopped into something horrible and then publicized. So I only show me or other bloggers with their permission. Isn't it a shame that we have to be so careful? I love my family and spend a lot of time with them, but they are in a separate world from my blog...a world I need to spend more time in!! Thanks for the reminder of what is important...hugs...Debbie
Dixie,
Well said!!! I am a less is more kind of gal. I do not own one "knick knack"
Moving into the 700sq feet soon and there will be no room for much but, I will be happier!
Hey, I am having a GIVEAWAY! some home decor if you need some more stuff :-}
Have a great evening!
Oops, I love stuff! Stuff is all I have left of a lot of my family and it is a pain to take care of sometimes but I guess I'm the "memory keeper" for my friends and family. I'm not into getting new stuff but I love finding something old and making it useful or pretty again. Some things I enjoy for a while and then I'm ready to let go and someone else can enjoy them. I think the alternative would be a lot easier but it would be really hard to get there. Thought provoking post. xoxo Nancy
Love this post Dixie! Some of the first blogs I gravitated to were the unrealistic high end designer blogs. You are right that those leave you a little disappointed. The people focused blogs are so much better. Like some of the other commenters, I'm still struggling with the privacy issue of family photos and info, though.
Ahh, Miss Dixie, we all must be thinking the same things this week. I love pretty stuff, but as I've said over and over it has to have meaning. Most are treasures from my past, with too many memories to part with, I love talking about my family and my memories,that is why I started my blog..thus the name Molly's Country MEMORIES... but I was beginning to feel like everyone was tired of hearing about them.
I also love showing folks how to make cute non-expensive Christmas gifts. I can't say I won't buy anymore stuff, some of my collectible at good prices, but I've never been one to run buy something cause someone else has it, I'm more likely to not want it if too many people like it.
Thanks for putting our thoughts into words.
You have made an excellent point. I love to post what is precious to me. You'll see my girls, my dog, my garden. And yes, I do put my children on my blog. I'm just not worried about any weirdo showing up on my doorstep because I put them on there. I do not put other children on their though. But I try and balance my blog and my blog reading with a variety of topics.
♥
Joy
Wonderful STUFF post!! Makes one stop and think about what should really be important to us. Thanks for giving a jolt. Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and I love your blog banner.
Debby
Oh Dixie, is this post directed at me? I know I have a lot of "stuff" (most of which was inherited or reminds me of some important or fun event in my life). I enjoy a lot of different types of blogs - family, travel, religion, decor, crafts, and yes, "stuff". I also realize that there are millions of blogs out there that I wouldn't enjoy reading, so I don't go to them. I know not everyone wants to see my collections or my stuff, and that's ok too. I'm glad that we all have the option to go visit the blogs we enjoy. I enjoy coming to your blog and will continue to come to your blog, but if you don't enjoy mine, that's ok, and I'll understand if you don't stop by, since I realize my blog is mostly about "stuff". I don't believe that the fact that it is easier for me to post photos of my "stuff" than to write something about family or something meaningful, makes me a bad person (it may indicate a lack of intelligence, but I hope it doesn't indicate that I'm a bad person). I pray that I am still laying up treasures in heaven. I have sat here a long time trying to decide whether or not to post this comment, and I certainly hope it doesn't offend you or anyone else. Sorry to write you a book, but you know I'm not a minimalist with my words or my stuff! laurie
Uh... No sweet Laurie... Your blog did not even cross my mind when I wrote this... who could ever visit your blog and not read in all the warmth and love that you share... along with your stuff... LOL...
You wouldn't believe how many people thought I was writing about them...
I was actually writing about me, and the way I've been swayed to buy things I don't need...in pursuit of a great meme post... I love even the blogs full of stuff... I just need to curtail my need for stuff...
Actually, It was more than just one blog that got me thinking about the stuff... but your's my dear, was not one of them...
Just wanted to share this little thought that I had in my very first post just a week or so ago, "It's not just about the "things" though. As much fun as we all have collecting, making and arranging, it's the feelings the items bring out in us, the places they take us, the connection they give us that makes them special." I love hearing about everyone's life and family. I also love seeing their stuff! It often brings back memories of important people in my life.
Thanks for shareing,
Dawn
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