A while back, I was in a store buying something (and yes I recognize the irony here) and they wrapped it in a bag which had their slogan on the front: Own fewer, better things. I’d heard this before of course but this time I was in a receptive mood to really confront that idea. It’s never been something I’ve been good at; I definitely have a bit of hoarder in me (reference my earlier post about cables).
Fast forward a few months and I’m in Denver at the art museum, looking through the gift shop, when I come across this exquisite ceramic coffee mug with a bronze bottom. Immediately I loved it. I’d been drinking coffee out of whatever I could find laying around; usually a Bob’s Donuts coffee mug (which, to be clear, is an amazing donut store but not really a great coffee mug supplier). But it was $37, which is a totally outrageous amount of money to pay for a coffee mug. I’m still not sure why I bought it. I think it’s because I was on vacation. Anyway, I’ve been using it for a month or so now and, while it certainly hasn’t turned my life around, it’s amazing how interacting with one small but really well made object every day can make a nice little bump in your happiness. It’s really a tiny piece of art. Every time I touch it and pick it up, the weight and balance of it and the way it keeps my hand safe from the hot coffee just gives me a little happy wiggle.
I know I’m privileged to be able to even think about spending $37 on a coffee mug. I’m aware of that. But what I’m really saying is that all of us could invest in fewer, nicer things. Now it’s time to see if I can bring myself to throw away some of my older, crappier mugs.
