Illusion of perfection

We are all gauging each other's actions as per what we think is the right way to exist. Woven with intricate relationships we all are simply walking on pins and needles.

I try to survive on my own terms and focus all my energies on myself. I do not want to be someone else's 'version of existence or expectation or perfection'. I will stay true to myself, being myself no matter what. There is no perfection and there is no illusion of perfection either.

Shoes: Converse, Shirt: J Crew Factory, Jeans: 7 for all mankind

Shopping Ban

I do not condemn shopping, it builds and nourishes the economy. But here is a thought, in the good old days, people got their clothes mended from tailors, shoes fixed from the cobbler, got small little parts of the blender and stuff from the dingy little stores located in some tiny alleys - this all paid the small local businesses. Now the mentality is we are looking for something to go wrong with our stuff so that we can buy new stuff and throw away the old stuff.

So I say - I do not condemn shopping but I condemn the stigma attached to repeating clothes, needing something new to wear to every party, having things in the closet with their price tag on and yet complaining about having nothing to wear, throwing away stuff without even trying to get it fixed first and just mindless shopping for self-gratification or shopping for the sake of having-everything-everyone-else has.

That is why I follow a shopping ban every other year or so. I have enough stuff to mix- match - use, I think most of us do. Imposing a ban gives a break to the mind and forces you to make most of your existing closet, try to make things work. While sometimes the temptations try and take over your sanity but staying strong gives you a greater sense of achievement later. Not to mention the money and time you save you can spend on hobbies, activities, travel or maybe go towards paying your loan.

If you are interested in pledging a shopping ban then -

Things that are banned:

• Clothes (all kinds!)

Shoes

Accessories/Jewelry

Bags/Purses/Clutches

Cosmetics

Electronics/Gadgets and anything that is unnecessary

Things that are allowed:

• Food
  


• Water
  


• Home Supplies
  


• Medicines
  


• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)
  

Jeans: American Eagle, Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger, Top: J Crew Factory, Sweater: Nordstrom Rack

Ban...

Every other year I impose a shopping ban on myself. So I do not shop for even a hairpin in that year (I am obviously not talking about the essentials - such as groceries). The max I have gone with the ban is 3 years straight. I must tell you it is quite challenging because there are temptations all around us. I get to try out many combinations in the ban periods and use everything that I have.

So why the ban? Because I cannot help but cringe over the materialistic world we have formed around us. We are all dwelling in excess. Believing in retail therapy more than believing in ourselves. Why do we feel we need to shop to feel happy? We buy things we don’t need, with money we don’t have, to impress people we don’t like. I am just trying NOT to be that person.

I have always been a big believer in savings. If you give me money, chances are I will straight away put it into my savings, planning for real estate investments. I didn't buy anything in 2018, and 2019 is a ban year too. Anyone interested in trying out the ban?

Shoes: Nine West, Jeans: American Eagle, Top: Ann Taylor, Sweater: J Crew Factory

Video Log - Carl Sagan

Book Reviews. 2017. 2

Reviewing books that I read in 2017.

6. Death by black hole - Neil deGrasse Tyson

This book is a collection of essays that Tyson wrote for Natural History magazine over a ten year period, on a variety of subjects related to science and scientific inquiry. Tyson's perspective and his voice always make his books stand out from the crowd. 4/5.

7. Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of cosmic evolution  - Neil deGrasse Tyson

This book covers an enormous period of time, fourteen billion years, and even provides some interesting thoughts concerning the future of our planet and galaxy. The theme of the book is clear, it deals with the origin of the universe, the various types of galaxies, the formation of the clusters, all the types of stars, the origin of the planets and life in general. It concerns itself with vague topics like dark matter and dark energy and black holes, all the mysteries of the universe. 5/5.

8. Astrophysics for People in a hurry - Neil deGrasse Tyson

. The book is for people in a hurry and I am not in a hurry
. Astrophysics is not Sophie Kinsella's book story that can be told in three lines (just being a hypocrite, I read all her books).
. People in a hurry should not make an attempt at astrophysics, to begin with ;-)
. The book left me wanting to know more, high time Tyson writes a book for people at leisure!

3/5.

9. Belles on their toes - Frank B. Gilbreth Jr.

Cheaper by the dozen is one of my most favorite stories of all times so I had to read it's the second part and I was beyond disappointed. 1/5.

10. A little life - Naya Yanagihara

This is a very well rated and a famous book, unfortunately, I did not enjoy it at all, first of all, it is huge and second of all I had to drag myself every day to read it. 1/5.

Dress: don't remember, 15 years old, Shoes: DSW, Jacket: J Crew