I'm a Great Depressionist

Growing up, I never had to want for much. I was given all my needs and more. (Who said 40+ Barbie dolls isn't necessary?!) Yet, my parents always taught the old adage, "waste not, want not." Even at a young age, there was a strong connection to those who had nothing; those that would go to bed hungry. This idea was unfathomable to me. When I was young, I remember wanting to send my food to Bosnia. I saw the people who had far less than me and wanted to share and make a difference in their lives. Even as a child, I could see very clearly how much waste there was in the world. Waste in this disposable culture has become a greater issue. Industrialization has made it increasingly easier to take and toss. Now, as an adult, establishing and discovering my own way, I realized how much I throw away. Whether it's food, plastic plates, cups, plastic ware, or larger items such as appliances and clothes, I was and am guilty of waste. What started out as a way to budget, turned into a discovery that this throw away culture goes much deeper. I never considered myself an environmentalist, but a person who should be a good steward of time, talent, and treasure. Just because we can afford it, doesn't mean we should do it. I quote Pope Francis: "Human beings too are creatures of this world, enjoying a right to life and happiness, and endowed with unique dignity. So we cannot fail to consider the effects on people’s lives of environmental deterioration, current models of development and the throwaway culture." The idea of restoring and using things to their fullest has become more appealing. It is both a holy poverty and a treasure to do so. Pope Francis has called me to a deeper realization of this. In my personal journey, I have seen what becoming materialistic can do. On the surface, shopping can be a fun sport. Yet, when it becomes a source of entertainment, many times it is an attempt to fill a void of something deeper that is missing from our lives. Do we use shopping as a means of escaping? Is this time that would be used thinking, reading, or praying? Is it to make us feel better about ourselves, more secure, gain admiration, or to just be "normal"? I'm not saying shopping in and of itself is evil. No. Yet, when used to replace dealing with other more complex issues, yes. It can be. It is, perhaps, something we have to evaluate in ourselves.

So, I guess that's why I have become a "Great Depressionist". Old furniture, vintage fabric, old sewing boxes, having a garden, raising my ladies (uh, oh, I mean my chickens!), using my 'rag bag' invention (a bag of rags used to replace paper towels), repairing clothes, and making bread are some of the ways that I can contribute. In so many ways it is absolutely bizzare for me to say. I went to fashion school to design and create new clothes. Fashion changes and it changes more and more rapidly. I guess 'fast fashion' is just not for me. I hope that I can become more aware of our world and strive to bring peace, faith, and love in all I do. Yet, I still have so far to go and so much to learn. Journey on.