There was an interesting piece in the most recent New York Times Magazine about how the recession has impacted our boom-era lifestyles, particularly our home and family life. In the article, Judith Warner analyzed recent research which suggests the silver lining of the economic fallout has been a moral re-centering of sorts -- a move away from thoughtless consumption.And it must seem incredibly stupid that I'm talking about this subject in a post immediately following one about thousand-dollar wedding dresses -- and it probably is -- but even those dresses reflect something that speaks to my own experience as an early/mid-twenties yuppie watching the recession from a relatively sheltered place.
I was one of the lucky ones -- my job always was secure (or maybe just seemed like it was thanks to strong leadership at my company), I suffered almost no professional repercussions, and am fortunately unburdened by debts or the worry of having to support anyone other than myself.
So now you all probably hate me! And yet, I think a good chunk of my generation has actually found themselves in my comfortable spot. Old enough to have missed a soul-crushing job search, but young enough not to worry about mortgages, kids and retirement accounts.
I have yet to see any articles about this experience -- probably because it gives off the sense that we're the people living it up in the stands of the Roman Coliseum while the less fortunate are fighting tigers below -- but I still don't think its an invalid story. Just because I haven't been personally affected by the recession doesn't mean there's been zero impact on my perspective.
I've noticed a change in my priorities that represents a real shift from where I was at 21. Some recent mentions of a burgeoning Slow Home movement from folks like Leslie Carrothers and Amy Beth from ABCD Designs have really captured my imagination and I wonder if this inkling of a movement is where my generation will take things home-wise.
I'm not silly enough to think this is an original concept -- lots of nesters before now have prized craftsmanship, locally-sourced goods and sustainable design. But after years of thinking -- no, expecting -- I would someday own a suburban McMansion, filled with luxury items and rooms you never even walk in, I am happy (happy!) to report that I now recoil at the thought.
I want a house with a history before me and a future after me. I want to fill it with treasures from my travels or handmade by people who inspire me. I want to salvage a home's remnants and give them a second life as something else beautiful. I want to snack on homegrown tomatoes and strawberries and wash my dishes next to simple glass jars filled with flowers cut from a hedge in the front yard, instead of a weekly, delivered floral arrangement.
So, I'm curious -- what does Slow Home mean to you? A lot of people think it means buying less, but I interpret it as buying more of what resonates with you, and less of what doesn't.
Have you been leaning in this direction, and, if so, do you think it's inspired by the recession or just by getting a little bit older and wiser?
P.S. If you made it this far, thank you. I know most of you come here to see cute things and not for "deep thoughts with Jenn". So...thank you. :)
Image from Lonny Mag
