favorite things :: collage part one

 

part of an assignment was to photograph some of the favorite things i surround myself with.  here are a few of them. 

i think about things a lot. 

i wonder what it is that i like about certain things and why we are, each of us, compelled to surround ourselves with them.  things.  stuff.  i wonder if these are my golden statues, that i worship.  why they bring me comfort.  whether or not i really "need" them.  what their purpose is. 

many of the things i love are either handmade or of vintage quality.  i love those things because they feel loved enough to have been hand made or loved enough to have made it this long, passing from one life to another.  what does that reflect in me? 

and then there are the other things i have that have become more like obsessive collections than purposeful objects:  my baskets upon baskets of yarn and wool; my piles of fabric.  things that symbolize the wonderful, beautiful, creative whatchamacallits i could possibly make with all that time i don't really have.  is that sad?  that i surround myself with these representations of something i can't really carve out for myself just yet, but obviously long for?  is that normal?  am i hoping that by surrounding myself with these things, i might be able to make that happen in my life?  am i willing more creative time into my surroundings?  i don't know.  maybe.  probably. 

i strive to live a simpler life filled with less to do and yet i consistently overfill my own bucket.  why do i do that?  why is it so hard to let go and find peace with just a few simple treasures or activities?  whatever the case may be, it seems to be a big part of my journey right now, i realize, as i photograph these things that i love, that surround me.  and i am happy to embrace that journey, wherever it may lead me.  as long as i am learning.  as long as i am growing. 

and these favorite things of mine,  i embrace them too and all that they represent and are here to teach me.  i do love them and are happy they are here to help me guide myself in the right direction, wherever that may be.  i do.  

what things do you surround yourself with?  have you ever thought about why?  i love hearing other people's stories and seeing what they love to surround themselves with.

i'll show more of my things tomorrow.  happy friday. 

Comments

[Fiona]

Hi, here from Unravelling. Had to comment here as this expresses exactly how I feel about crafting supplies. I'm a relatively new crafter and before that I was very minimalist. If something had no immediate use, it went straight away. Now I have boxes with sewing supplies, knitting supplies, papercraft supplies... I find it hard to marry these 2 different parts of my personality. If I find an answer, I'll let you know ;)

[tifanie]

hi fiona,
so glad you stopped by. i'm really enjoying our unravelling experience together. i'm glad you can relate to my conundrum. you've expressed it so beautifully. it is as though there are indeed two parts to my personality: one that strives to be more minimalist and the other that obsessively stocks up on craft supplies. i, too, find it hard to marry these two parts of my personality. i'm trying to find a balance in there somewhere - to tone down any unnecessary stocking up of supplies and yet still feed that part of my soul that gets nourished by the creativity i find in crafting.
thanks so much for your comment, and yes! if you find an answer, please let me know.
have a beautiful day,tifanie

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