During a trip to IKEA a few weeks ago, a strange thing happened. No, I didn’t discover that the Billy bookcase now comes in hot pink or that my children have the ability to walk patiently through an entire store without touching a single thing. What happened was that I didn’t want to buy anything. I didn’t see one item I felt any desire for. I know it’s hard to believe, but I didn’t even feel the tiniest flicker of want for the economy pack of tea lights. I walked those aisles — while my children ran around like wild boars — and didn’t come home with a single thing. Not even a meatball.
Now, you might think that’s not a big deal. But it is for me, because it’s a sensation that has slowly been permeating my life for the past year. By now, I feel it almost every time I enter a store: I want to buy nothing. It’s completely crazy! That’s why I’m taking a new turn with Sweden With Love‘s cover story this month. Instead of a celebrity interview, I’ll explore what happens when we pierce the illusion that having more — a beautiful house, a cool car, designer clothes, a gorgeous spouse, vacations at five-star exotic resorts — will make us happier.
What happens if we no longer actually want the new duvet cover at Anthropologie? Or the latest Tom Ford sunglasses? Or our incredibly wealthy friend’s gorgeous beach house? Or the new BMW X6 (for which I admit I have a soft spot)? Logically, we know these things won’t make us happy, but how do we get to the point where we believe it in our hearts? When we can look at it and say, ‘Nah, don’t want it,’ and shrug and walk away. And how does that feel? Come back on Tuesday, March 11, for a journey worth exploring.
This month, I’m incredibly proud to feature the photographs of VII Agency’s Ron Haviv in our Mindful Living feature. It’s been a long process for this story to come to fruition, but it’s worth it.
Healthy Treats also introduces three new contributors: Interior and prop stylist Lauren Kelp together with Stancy Higley and Katie Pinson of the photography team Half Orange. Check out their beautiful websites and come back on Thursday, March 13 for our yummy treat! As always, it’s vegan, gluten-free and contains no refined sugars.
Next up? On Friday, we’ll kick off the issue with this month’s Ask 3 — I’m keeping the question a secret for now — with Grammy-nominated singer Jewel, luxe vegan handbag designer Heather Belle and event producer extraordinaire Heidi Mayne of Red 25 Events. And don’t forget to enter our giveaway! Paloma’s Nest — named one of the “Best Online Shopping Sites” by InStyle magazine — is giving away a unique, handmade giraffe or elephant chalkboard that will make the perfect addition to any fun-loving kid’s room.
I hope you enjoy this month’s Sweden With Love, and know that I’m grateful to be on this journey with you!
xo, Ulrica.
Photograph by Elizabeth Messina ©2014.
I have a need to learn that. I’ve been a shopaholic of late as I redecorate a few parts of the house including the big shop at IKEA.
Hallelujah! I am SO OVER American celebrity culture. I cringe when I see the way it is used to perpetuate this fantasy of wanting stuff and lives we don’t have. What about celebrating regular people who do extraordinary things? And simple pleasures. And natural beauty (not the Photoshopped kind). I find that so much more inspiring, and motivating, and relatable. No offense to your former employer, but I think what they do is really not helping anyone (particularly women) on this planet.
Sell, sell, sell is the road to ruin in my opinion. What the world needs is more love, compassion, and understanding…and certainly not another pair of $300 Tom Ford sunglasses or an update on some poor woman’s cellulite….just because she happens to be ‘famous’ and the paparazzi won’t leave her alone.
Tanya, I already love you and you are so right on the money again! Thank you. I’m so absolutely 100% with you!!! Perfectly expressed, all of it. You rock.
Also agree 100%! I don’t really understand how somehow throughout the years that women have been relegated to terms like “shopaholic”, or that we need retail therapy when we’re down. What happened? Thanks so much for this refreshing course of action this March!! Cheers!
I’m so with you Silvana! Big hugs!! xoxo
I love that notion!! It’s so liberating and freeing to know that all you REALLY want and need you already have in the form of love, family, friends, compassion, humility, generosity and kindness. We are bombarded daily with images of how our lives could be better if only…especially young women are force-fed materialistic illusions of what happiness and true beauty are, leaving them unhappy, confused, insecure and deeply sad because the world is trying to squeeze a round peg into a square hole..or whatever shape you are trying to squeeze into ANYTHING!! Because once you’ve squeezed and contorted yourself long enough to fit into societal norms you eventually come to the realization that that didn’t make you any happier….XO
WORD Sara! Love it!! xo
I love that you are exploring having enough. It’s something I can certainly do better. I look forward to reading how to you got to this place. xo
Thank you Jen! I’m so glad our paths crossed 🙂 xo