A Season of Spending
Posted by Anne
This woman seems to have an even bigger problem than I do.
What is it about spring? This perfect season—nascent and cheerful—is upon us. It makes me want to open the windows, let in the fresh air, make pesto and hot cross buns, and…
Spend Money.You see, something happens to me with the promise of spring. And apparently, that “something” is greed. Or perhaps it’s the softer form of greed—good old fashioned materialism. I hope I’m not alone on this, but I’m outing myself regardless.
This troubling bout with materialism occurs every year…right around March 1st. I’m not sure why I can’t hold off until at least April, except that late February/early March is about the time the “early spring” catalogues begin arriving in the mail—depicting earthy and fresh blond J Crew models posed on the edges of sailboats—wearing shorts and darling cableknit sweaters. (Digression: Would someone like to tell me when that combo ever works? Or is living in Maine a prerequisite?)
I wish I could identify the origins of my deep desire for a “spring spending splurge”. But I’m at a loss. All I know is that it’s like some invisible alarm that begins ringing in my psyche. My need for a “fresh start” materializes (get it? Materializes?!) in the form of multiple visits to the Anthropologie website and that time-waster of all time-wasters…Craigslist. And since I can’t really afford much of a shopping spree, I appease myself by exiting that virtual Anthropologie store with random (and inexpensive) items like…oh, maybe a pastel-hued egg cup. Or that new door pull I just had to have. Trust me people…it’s a problem.
Normally, our checkbook makes it through my spring fever relatively unscathed. In addition to the egg cup and door pull, I usually treat myself to one new outfit, which I shamelessly claim is my “Easter Outfit” (as though I’m still 8 years old and need an “Easter dress”).
But I really do wonder—why does this season of beginnings cause me to search for reasons to spend? A few theories…
Oh-so-tempting...
1. The US retail industry wants me to spend and expects me to spend. Thus, it’s a national phenomenon. A little springtime manipulation, if you will.
2. I’m a greedy person.
And last but not least, I give you the most likely contender…
3. When we’re looking for a “fresh start”, we seek to find one by changing the external as well as the internal. And these external changes (in my view) often boost us internally. Of course, there’s a limit. You can’t just spend, spend, spend.
So, if #3 is at the root of my need for new clothes, new furniture, and new kitchenware, I have to believe there are other ways to satisfy this desire for a “fresh” look or novel environment. Some possible solutions…
Spring cleaning. I recently learned this is a global phenomenon. In Iran, there’s a word for it that means something akin to “shaking the house”. Even though I like my clutter, I could stand to make my environment a little more orderly.
Change something minor. A new throw pillow perhaps? A springy-looking mug for my coffee? I could buy something that creates a permanent visual novelty, but doesn’t break the bank.
Plant a garden. This would be so perfect if I owned a home, or didn’t kill plants. I do, however, generally pot some herbs each spring…pretty AND edible. Can’t lose.
Focus on a different kind of “external”. Instead of buying a new wardrobe, maybe I could stand to do my hair more often…instead of the perpetual ponytail. Or maybe I could pump some iron—build strength from the outside in.
There you go. Four external solutions to an internal problem. I think I’ll start this weekend…when my fingers reach for the newest Williams-Sonoma catalog, I’ll take them right over to our disastrous hall closet—a great place to start an external makeover.
Am I alone in this one? Anyone else love some good old “spring shopping”? Or do you have other springtime rituals that satisfy your need for fresh beginnings…that DON’T cost money? Or if you totally indulge, what’s your favorite springtime indulgence?
March 5th, 2010 at 8:06 am
I’m going to add a fourth theory to your list, Anne: external changes are usually a whole heck of a lot easier to make than internal ones. When we’re sniffing out something new in this season of growth, it’s much easier to turn out energies outward than inward. It will please you to know that I, too, suffer from this spring fever. I’ll never forget reading in Sarah Ban Breathnach’s “Simple Abundance” (you should read it if you haven’t — you only read one day at a time, so it takes all of five minutes a day) that when SHE feels the need to spend, she collects and gathers up all the catalogs from stores that she covets. Then, she spends a long, luxurious afternoon flipping through the catalogs, marking things, clipping things, creating outfits. She finds this very satisfyingly puts the “shopping demons” to rest.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:22 am
I’d never thought about it this way, but my spring wardrobe is much more varied than my winter one. I suppose it’s from the accumulation of spring purchases year over year. I haven’t had the itch to shop yet this year, but I suspect it’s coming. At least now I’ve been forewarned and can curb the spending before it starts.
(PS – One nice thing about having a 1-year-old is that I can get some of this out of my system with his shopping. He legtimately needs new spring/summer clothes since last year’s are teeny-tiny.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:52 am
I think it’s a habit. And actually, there are times when I miss traipsing along behind you and your sister on a spring clothes shopping spree. Take Ryan along and let him sit and watch you try on things, and then go to a tea room for finger sandwiches. No doubt, he LOVE it!!
March 5th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I was just thinking about my spending habit today. And you’re right–there’s something about spring. I think it’s the fresh start. I am so excited to see the sun in all its brightness that I’m more relaxed, calm, less uptight about money. (But I should be, you see.) Once spring hits, people want to shop for a new wardrobe, new sandals, plan a vacation. It’s our excitement coming out externally, like you mentioned above. But what I’d really, really like to do, is take a few lessons from some friends I have, and focus on simplicity. I’m going to repeat it as a mantra, and hopefully it will stick.
March 5th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Wow, I’ve never thought about this particular phenomenon before, Anne, but I think you are on to something and your analysis certainly persuades me. I’m with Gale and Jana: my closet is relatively more full with Easter egg hues than any other.
I also had to giggle while reading this because you and I share taste in stores. (Not to enable your habit, but have you ever checked out the Boden catalog? Yum.)
March 6th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Ah, Boden. A girlfriend turned me onto Boden and somehow I’ve successfully avoided getting that one in the mail. We obviously have similar taste:)
March 7th, 2010 at 3:57 am
Hi,
I used to hit shops for something new and exciting each spring too! Then I’ve read about the ‘rotation system’ and it was working for me ever since.
I put all the spring/summer clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery, scarfs etc. away around September/October time. I keep them in the attic, totally out of my sight for 5 months or more. I do the same with some home decor pieces (like the mentioned egg cups etc.)
Come March/April… I am eager to go shopping to my attic! Bliss! No expenses! New (or well forgotten) stuff!
Kat
LiftMyDepression.com