3.25.2011

Cabin Fever

I thought we were finally free and clear from all illnesses, but sadly, I was mistaken. The entire family has come down with spring colds. Stuffy noses, sore throats, and some serious cabin fever. 


As a result, I've slipped into the familiar pattern of too much tending, too little sleep and exercise, which always leaves me feeling listless and dissatisfied. I'd like to combat it with a few DIY projects I've been mulling over, but we're broke. 


As in buying-milk-on-the-credit-card broke.


So even the minimal supplies I'd need for my projects are too extravagant for the moment. 


This has provided quite the eye-opening experience for me. 


Don't get me wrong, I've been broke before. I just haven't considered myself a materialistic person. In fact, I've always thought that if I limit how much I browse or window shop, I can pretty much eliminate the false sense of 'need' that commonly arrises. {Out of sight, out of mind, right?}


But we live in a digital world, and much of the time I spend on the computer searching for inspiration {art, decor, fashion...} inevitably link back to shopping. As much as I hate to admit it, I've developed a list of things to buy and make that feel almost... necessary. 


Yesterday, J had the camera, so I tried to compose a post without using an original photo. I told myself I couldn't write about anything that would cause me to buy, eat or make something that we didn't already have. And I got stuck. 


I just sat there.


Yeah. Pathetic. So this weekend, I'm combatting my cabin fever with some good old back-to-the-basics. Home cooking. Good books. And an epic workout. Fingers crossed that they help me get my mojo back, so I can be creative again. 


Without buying anything.


{image}

3 comments:

Jennifer said...

I am suffering from the same problem.

I've never had a ton of money, but I guess I never really knew what broke was until this new year. Babies are expensive! lol

I have a desk job that it relatively slow, so I have waaaay too much time to surf the internet for "inspiration". I have a giant mental list of all these things that I absolutely HAVE to purchase once I have enough money.

Unfortunately real life intercedes: dental bills, hospital bills, my husbands old old debt, the ever increasing price of gas, childcare... that's where my money will be going instead.

Apis Melliflora said...

You are always so very creative. I can't wait to see what you transform from what you already have or from what you find (free).

I did that today with two little girls:

made cookies from ingredients we already had
made collages with left-over crafting stuff
picked springy stuff from outside and brought it in

Hope your plans pick you up!

Crys said...

Gosh this sounds like something straight out my life for the past month, and with all the stress/excitement of new baby it is really hard not to relieve some of it with shopping. I haven't figured out how to do this yet and I too am buying food with the credit card. I guess it is good to know your'e not alone right? Did mention my sewing machine is broken? how cruel is that?

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