As we all know, change is the only constant force in our shimmering universe. Most of the time I enjoy change unless I have been caught off guard and cling to outdated thinking when clearly the tide has shifted. To keep myself on top of the tidal waves, I follow cultural trends to keep me in the know. I don’t see trends as superficial, but an important indicator of changing attitudes and beliefs. I especially relish in learning about the new words created to match society’s new thinking. Given the events of 2008 and our current economic climate, my favorite new addition for 2008 is
FRUGALISTA, defined as, “a person who lives a frugal lifestyle but stays fashionable and healthy by swapping clothes, buying secondhand, growing own produce, etc.” (Most likely the only time I have agreed with NYT’s William Safire, who voted Frugalista the best new word of 2008, on anything!)
As Frugalista enters the mainstream lexicon, most will attribute its popularity and use to the current recession (or pre-recovery period if you prefer!). I would say that the ethos behind frugalistas has more to do with increasing the quality of life than falling stock prices. The word frugal is often viewed as a product of lack yet, the word is related to the Latin frui, meaning to enjoy. Frugality essentially means the best use of resources and the limiting of waste in the pursuit of a higher quality of life. As I mosey around shops and malls today in search of new possessions I wonder what has happened to the appreciation of quality? The long tradition of craftsmanship around the world, has always valued quality and was centered on the idea of creating functional objects that withstood the test of time. The magic of handmade objects is their high quality, beauty, and resourcefulness.
Look around your home, office, school, or neighborhood, and take a look at how resources are being used? How much waste can you identify in a mere 5 minutes? How many objects in your space do you treasure and how many things are disposable? How have we benefitted from the seemingly endless supply of cheap goods lining the shelves at the Wal-Marts, Forever 21s, and Pier 1s of the world? The vulgar appetite for cheap, throwaway goods has depressed labor wages and created an unsustainable level of consumption and a reckless use of resources. The irony for me is that during a time of “conspicuous consumption” many filled their homes and closets with unsightly and poorly made goods! Ms. Cosmopolite says, “having things and having beautiful things are not the same”.
As a proud frugalista, I am committed to filling my life and home with beautiful, well-crafted goods, made with respect for the materials and the makers. I will delight in unearthing treasures from bazaars, resale shops, craft and artist cooperatives, and farmer’s markets while being fashionable, healthy, and fabulous!
“Frugality is founded on the principle that all riches have limits” – Edmund Burke
Onward,
Ms Cosmopolite
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