SHOPPING AS INSPIRATION?

Shopping as Inspiration?

I’ve never been a shopper. I tell people, “I”m not a shopper.”

But..deep down, I think I could be. It’s just restraint. I used to shop, look for bargains and come home with a bunch of junk I didn’t need. Then I quit doing that, made a point of not going to the mall because when I went to the mall I found things I didn’t even know I needed. But now…now I think I maybe I’ve gone too far in the other direction.

A few key things here:

• I like little shops, not big super-stores.
• You don’t have to buy everything you see, or even everything you like… or anything at all. I’ve learned that if I think about it long enough I might either go back and buy it or decide I really didn’t need it in the first place.
• My artist friends and I have designed some really cool art that is on products – buy that.  (well…I am in the business of selling a product…it just needs to add beauty to the world, in my humble opinion).

So, back to creativity and inspiration:

Seeing new products, color combinations and fresh ideas brings me a bit of joy.

Ok, I said it.

Does that make me shallow and materialistic? I’d like to think not. It’s about the visual party for my artistic eyes, not the acquiring, although sometimes that is fun too.

I LIKE to look at new designs, new ideas and interesting objects.

People who designed them expressed their creativity and it’s contagious. Even mass-produced objects at the big box stores is fun. I enjoy seeing the color combinations, new stationery and new candle smells for the season.

So I’ve decided to quit being the anti-shopper and step out of my comfort zone. Would it make more sense to own a very cute, unique blouse instead of the 10 white t-shirts I own and wear?

Maybe it would. I think it has to do with planning. Know what you have, know what you like and only buy it if you love it and can afford it or have budgeted for it. And I mean LOVE it 24 hours later.

Either you love it or it is functional, or both.

If not, enjoy it, feast your creative eyes on those fresh new colors or patterns or design elements and move on.

Let the result be the new idea, fresh color combination or inspiration piece, not the purchase…shopping as inspiration.

…and if you find a really cute top along the way, then so be it.

Want to read more about creativity? I like this post,