Trendy
I’ve known for a little while now that the whole “going green” and even the “voluntary simplicity” movements have become mainstream and even trendy. I’m ok with that, in fact I’m happy about to a certain extent, more folks embracing living better with less, being responsible with resources, recycling, reducing waste, etc. What’s not to love about more people embracing those ideals? The interesting thing to me, however; is how its almost become a sort of badge of honor, not to mention the amount of marketing behind it now that it is “trendy.”
Recently I had the opportunity to meet with a group of folks interested in simple and green living. Despite what I thought would be a group of like minded people, I discovered I had relatively little in common with the folks. For these folks it was more about the eco-friendly products they’ve purchased recently and the most recent book written on voluntary simplicity instead of figuring out ways to do without any purchases. It seemed to me that these folks were involved more because it was en vogue than because they believed it was the right way to live (I could be wrong, I’m not judging). It seemed like these people will abandon this current path when the next trend comes along.
It pointed out just one more way I don’t fit in. For me, the way I live isn’t a trend, I was living this way before it all went mainstream and will continue to do so after it falls out of favor with the mainstream. Sometimes I feel like I should fit in with this group, whatever group it might be, but I didn’t know there was a uniform I was supposed to wear. Does anyone else ever feel that way? I try hard to find commonalities when I meet new people and groups instead of focusing on the differences, but sometimes the differences are too glaring to ignore.
—
PS: Kristine received her giveaway package and posted all about it this morning. Go see all the goodness and sign up for a package from her.
You’ve summed up my feelings as well. Green is “in” and that’s good, but there’s a big difference between yielding to the new green consumerism and actually living the simple, green way.
p.s. thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.
I understand how you feel. Perhaps one of those in that group will some how be enlightened by the trend and make it a permanent lifestyle and forget it was something they did to be “in” in the first place.
As for new people and groups, I’m trying to connect with like-minded people through the place where I volunteer. I’m happy to say I have found some kindred spirits there. Outside of that small group, I’m still trying to find some common ground with other folks.
I know this might sound sad, but I’ve gotten used to feeling a little out of place amongst a few family members and some of my friends. For a long time, it truly bothered me, what they thought. It was a lot of wasted energy and emotion, worrying and wondering, that I just don’t give a darn.
Well, thank goodness you don’t fit in! You’re an original
You have said what has been on my mind for years. Thank heavens for the blogging “community” or I would feel like a total crackpot. We too have been living like this for a long time. I read on blogs about giving up things, and my list seems insignificant because we have so few modern conveniences, and it is not green to say I don’t want to give up our tractor and hay equipment or my greenhouse plastic. I can’t give up a microwave or dishwasher since we don’t own these things, and I don’t feel deprived because of that.
My neighbors all have acreage, yet don’t even come outside – so sometimes I feel isolated or hungry for conversations with someone involved in the process of real life.
Thank heavens for blogs like yours. I agree with Robbyn – it’s a good thing you’re not fitting in!
BTW thanks for linking to my blog.
Even as a new recruit, I would say I have to agree. I too hope it adheres as the only way that the planet will really turn around is if people actually take to heart what the “trend” is all about. But amongst my friends, I am by far one of the “strange” ones when I deny going out, want to entertain at home, or don’t want to buy as much as the others. It can be a hard place to be, especially when you are the one changing and the social circle remains the same. However, it’s all about what has meaning and significance internally for all of us. Let’s still keep hoping that others will truly join in and society will adapt as well!
First, Robbyn said it best!
Second, I feel very much the same way-somehow always skirting along left of center even when the trend swings in a direction that suits me. I, too, joined a “simplicity circle” last year and I realized after two meetings that we were not all on the same page. The group ended up dismantling after a few more meetings.
You have a lot of us out here that carry the same square peg!
I have felt this way my whole life! I’ve also felt this way lately about the “green is in”. I had a conversation with a friend about a bunch of people I thought were like minded and was quite disappointed when I realized I didn’t fit in well with them and her response was that the difference between myself and them is this is that i’d be doing what I’m doing even if it wasn’t in and they won’t when its not!
It still does hurt sometimes to realize that you really don’t “fit” into any group. We move a lot and it makes it hard to make meanful friends and those I do make I usually end up leaving by moving.
I don’t fit the christian mold either!