courtesy of WeddingClipArt.com
Judging from the blogs I've been reading, I'm guessing that many of you feel the same way.
Aren't we lucky?
But I'm wondering if any of you can also identify with this problem...
I find myself going through long periods of time where I become so immersed in that long ago world of the 1920's to 1960's...
...that I'm hardly conscious of what's happening in the world around me today -2010.
I'm gloriously happy being in that state for months at a time.
Completely surrounded by my old, musty & worn things, day in and out.
Spending evenings and weekends caught up in antiques: buying, selling, researching, and blogging about them...
And then suddenly... BURN OUT!
Things that are old and worn lose their charm. Life feels out of balance. And I have a longing to be part of the modern world, but I don't quite know how to pull myself out of the time warp I've been in, and move into the present.
Photo courtesy of Creepy Shack
Well, that's what happened to me about a month ago. Big time vintage burnout. You may have noticed - my blog posts were dwindling, I stopped selling on eBay, and I had to drag myself out of the door to estate sales on Saturdays.
Does this sound familiar to you at all? Do you go through these cycles too?
Luckily, a few weeks ago my thoroughly modern sisters...
...came to my rescue and took me to...
...for a post-birthday celebration and a huge dose of modern-day commercialism.
After being surrounded by old, chipped, cracked, crazed, torn and worn for months - I was suddenly immersed in shiny, bright and new.
I loved it! It was exactly what the doctor ordered. I felt like going on a buying spree, but I limited my purchases to a couple pairs of brand new shoes from Payless Shoe Store. (I'm used to shopping in second-hand stores, so this was a step up. ;-)
These are my favorites. As you can see, there's nothing vintage about them...
See how they sparkle! I can't remember the last time that I bought something so shiny...
No way was I going back to the 20's, 30's, 40's... Not yet. I needed to get a good dose of the 21st century first.
The first item on the agenda: Sign up for Facebook.
I swore I was never going to do this. I spend so much of my day on the computer already! But I'll admit that I'm enjoying it. I've accumulated 30 friends so far (whoopee!)...and I've been writing on Walls...and changing my Status...and all those exciting things that I was missing out on in my pre-Facebook days. I feel so hip.
Next on the list (to go along with my new shoes and social life) - Start Exercising Again.
As luck would have it, the college where I work just opened up a brand new athletic and recreation complex - with a huge pool, and an aerobics and weight room. What perfect timing!
And they have all the latest in workout technology...
Sears advertisement - Look magazine, Dec. 2, 1969
So I've been heading to the gym about 3 or 4 times a week these past few weeks, and have lost a pound or two. It's a good start...
Today, I had the urge to play dress-up with some pretty vintage costume jewelry.
I'm a little shy about having my picture taken. But I always appreciate seeing photos of all of you in your blogs, so I figured that fair is fair!
And then after I took these photos, I grabbed a big pile of old magazines and catalogs, and plopped them on my bed...
So, no worries - I've still got that passion in me. And I won't desert you. Because I've still got plenty of visions of vintage sugar-plums dancing around in my head that I want to share with you.
But I'm also determined to try to lead a more balanced life, and avoid future burnout by keeping at least one foot firmly planted in 2010. That probably will mean less blogging for a while - but I know you'll understand.
Thanks for your friendship...enjoy the rest of the weekend!
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Posts
Since my vintage world revolves around socializing and music, there comes times when I just don't want to go to another car show, etc., but after a couple weeks,my feet itch to dance and be with "my people."
ReplyDeleteI have gotten burnt out on estate sales,and since I'm working full time now, I can't even go to them anymore. I also have the money from working so I don't have to get everything on trade (working at the vintage shop) or at estate sales and can buy from vendors. I never go as far as to shop at the mall, unless it's for shoes, bras or make up. Today I did buy some overalls at a surplus store and am thinking of buying some high waist navy pants and having the waist altered to fit me. Both are new, but yet are vintage style.
Good morning, Kim. It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who gets burnt out on all this good stuff. Our vintage focuses are different (yours is external/social and mine is more introverted)- but the need for balance is the same.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is I tend to take an "all or nothing" approach with things that I'm passionate about. I've got learn to find a happy middle ground.
Balance is good. I know I feel better when I log off, exercise, read a book and write.
ReplyDeleteI just think it's awesome that we do have passions we can incorporate into our lives, that are not only fun for us, but also preserves history. But like everything, we can OD on it! Maybe you should go to a Rockabilly music weekender sometime. Those actually fuel me up to want more vintage! It's also kind of cool to be totally surrounded by other women, and men, who share the same passion. Only in the Rockabilly scene do I know men who love and wear vintage as much as I do! I have certain male friends that get it when I say "You will never guess what I found today at the flea market!"
ReplyDeleteLinda - you are clearly a smarter woman than I!
ReplyDeleteKim - that's so wonderful that you have so many friends who share your passion. I'm pretty sure that most of my friends, co-workers and family think I'm pretty quirky when I talk excitedly about my latest vintage finds. Hmmm...maybe I'll have to see if there is an active Rockabilly scene in the Minneapolis/St. Paul are.
Oh, sweetest S... This was actually quite good to read. You are NORMAL! Good for you! And - Starting to train again is just the best way to give the body and mind the kick-start we need to find new energy :)
ReplyDeleteYou should not feel shy about showing us pic's of yourself - you look lovely!
Have a nice upcoming week in 2010, hihi. Enjoy!
Luna, you are so sweet! Hope you have a great time in whatever year you choose to be in this week. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting blog post! I don't get weary of vintage but do get tired of lugging boxes of stuff around, moving furniture, and trying to find places to store things that won't get me in trouble with my hubby! But just like you, I've found that an occasional trip to the mall to buy clothes is refreshing. I like to see what jewelry designs are being shown at J. Crew etc. too. Often take-offs on vintage.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Mitzi - you may have hit upon something. Maybe it's not so much that I'm weary of vintage, just weary of seeing the chaos that I've created from all the buying, research, photo taking, selling, shipping.
ReplyDeleteWith a full-time job, it's impossible for me to keep up - and my house suffers. I ignore it for a while because I'm having so much fun. But after a time, coming home to chaos every day is very draining.
So now you know - I'm definitely not a Suzy Homemaker!
So cute! And I know exactly what you mean about getting burned out. I get so immersed in this stuff that I forget to read new books and barely turn on my radio. Lovely blog! I will certainly be back.
ReplyDelete-Desiree, Pop-o-matic Deluxe!
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI swear, I saw that "P" in a window in Prague. Am Iosing it? I found a Czech ledger book toway. Now if I could just find some Art Nouveau wallpaper for cheap...ha!
Suz
I love the way you write about yourself Susan...and you've got beautiful eyes on the pic with the jewellery!
ReplyDeleteand talking about passion, I have a passion for old things too, like a lot of the girls here, and sometimes people around me tell me it's silly, but it's usually people who doesn't have any sense of style so I just don't listen to them!;) And I also love the era we're living in, the fashion, the design, the architecture, the fact that women can have a carreer...etc so I'm not completely outdated!
Anyway thanks for your post!
balance is necessary for you.if you maintain a balance between vintage and modern world you can live your life with ease and grace.Now i think you are ok and have a good balance between the vintage and modern world.now you are alright and don't take panic about the vintage phobia.i love your post....
ReplyDeleteLexy, thanks for the compliment - I'm feeling very old lately so I appreciate it. Lexy and Costa Blanca - you're right, balance is so important. I don't know when I'm going to learn my lesson on that.
ReplyDeleteDesiree - Thanks, you're sweet. I'm so glad you stopped by - it led me to your fun blog. What a great name, Pop-o-matic Deluxe!
Suz - Perhaps you are losing it! You're just having too much fun in Prague...
We know just what you mean!! Sometimes it starts to feel like a chore to give up Saturday and Sunday to sleep in!! Then we all need a break from vintage. But if it's in your blood, it will call you back!! And can any time tunnel be all that bad if James Darren is in it?!!
ReplyDeleteSheila and Sherrill