It took me almost two months to gather my thoughts and to find them worth sharing after every single travelling plan crushed down on my head with a loud vexatious sound. When the pandemic started in March I remained in hopes that mapped out routes for our Europe trip in May would stay as planned. Full of brave proclamations that the seriousness of the virus is overstretched by the media, hoping, daring to hope that in two months my feet would touch the grounds of London, Paris, Prague and some picturesque old cities of Germany, I kept praying for the positive outcome. I suppose it is easy to guess that no plane took off to London on the selected date. Now, no matter all temptations to share about the tears I shed and devastation I felt, I decided to control myself and instead to share some musings that were born in the middle of my acceptance of the reality.
Starting from the very bottom of the definition of mindfulness is a condition where one is fully active in the present with body and mind, lives in the moment, and responds to current experiences. It is the healthiest state one can be in, observing each day with love, gratitude and peace. It is, however, the state one must practice daily.
“My heart trembles from joy; it is raining! I wonder what it is with humans that we thrive for rain after a few sunny days. The desire for contrasts, I would suppose. But how wonderful it feels, how refreshing is the view of washed fields, hills and roads. Only a few days ago, I thought about emotions I lately lack and my thirst for them. Does that thirst explain my joy of seeing gathering dark clouds and drops on the window? Most definitely, it does.”
The last time I found myself in a long line full of impatient people at one of ZARA stores, was the end of January when the season of attractive sales was almost over. In my possession, I had an oversized cream shirt, black dress and a pair of jeans. That was the end of my rare shopping at fast-fashion stores, and beginning of the challenge to stay away from those brands for one year. I can think of quite a few reasons that developed such an idea in my mind, and that is what this post should be about. Now, I do not call anyone to stop their shopping habits. I also wish to judge no one for shopping at fast-fashion stores. However, as I developed some kind of experience in the industry, along with a particular point of view on massively produced clothes, I wish to say a few words. Obviously, I do not need to explain what most people talk about nowadays. In essence, the struggle of the environment and the impact mass production has on nature and the way we as consumers are involved in those struggles. Firstly I would suggest researching the topic on your own time because such an act of curiosity brought me to the 'no fast-fashion' challenge. Secondly, another reason that brought me to the change was my experience of working in clothing retail and fashion houses.