Until recent years, I couldn't understand others attraction to antique items. "They're so drab and colorless," I thought. This changed when I turned 40 and came upon the loveliest spools of thread at a flea market. The sellers had removed them from a mill to be demolished and were selling each for 25 cents. These spools were the start of my love of vintage items that are colorful, functional and simply designed.
Below is my collection. Though the dollar values are small, for me they are treasures. My plan was to simply take pictures for this blog. But after seeing the photos together, I noticed similarities and wondered," Why am I drawn to these at this time in my life?"
- They're all simple. As I'm getting older, I value simplicity in daily life.
- They're colorful. To me color represents life. I hope to live fully at any age.
- They're functional. I want to be useful and contribute something while I’m here.
- They're old. I now see the beauty of life experience. Though I hope to age gracefully, I hope more to be accepting of my own physical wear and tear.
- The items have soft edges. I like that with age, my edges are softening. I’m more patient, more compassionate than when I was younger.
- Most are circular. I’m learning that life is more like a circle than a straight line. Rather than continually moving in a forward direction, I hope part of me is returning to the person I was as a young child – the me before I learned to take cues from others rather than myself. Perhaps part of what makes forty and beyond so satisfying is the return to our instinctive and intuitive selves.
What are your favorite five to seven?
What do you see when you put them together?
What do they tell you about where you in your life, what you value, aspire to or long for?