Those Days Are Long Gone

There's something I've been thinking of for some time and today I decided to write about it, to see if I'm the only weirdo in such situation and if it's normal, or not. Talking about normal. What is normal these days? Can you answer this question for me?

When I was a school kid, we used to have tough winters, meaning snow for months and temperatures down till -25°C, for weeks. Our winter gear consisted in snow boots, warm trousers, stockings, jumpers, scarves, beanies, gloves, warm, lined jacket with hood and so on. Winter was a lot of fun though, especially during the holidays as we spent it outside playing in the snow, skating, sledding and enjoying every minute of it.

Photo by Irene Kredenets on Unsplash

However, nothing lasts forever and at some point, around this time of each year, we got fed up with winter and could hardly wait for spring to arrive. Spring at that age meant you go to school without your beanie, which you could only do if your parents let you, or you took off your beanie the second you got out of your parents' site. But the real evidence of spring was when you could swap your snow boots with your spring shoes and take a lighter jacket as well.

At that age, you're constantly growing and almost every year we needed new shoes as the old ones were not only in bad condition but didn't fit either.

Photo by Iman Ameli on Unsplash

Back in those days, life was pretty tough, people were happy if they could make ends meet. Shops and grocery stores were empty and to buy a pair of shoes, you had to visit all the shops in the city and buy what you could get your hands on, not what you wanted or liked.

Photo by Mohammad Metri on Unsplash

Yet, I still remember that amazing feeling that I felt when I was finally allowed to get my spring shoes, or sneakers for school. It felt like putting down some weight and moving faster, especially with a good pair of sneakers with flexible soles. Or going to school with your new jacket that had definitely brighter, happier colors and design than your winter coat.

For the record, we didn't have a whole wardrobe full of clothes, meaning several winter coats, boots or jackets. You were happy if your parents could buy you new clothes and shoes as often as was necessary. Demand exceeded supply hundredfold and most people were equally poor. Kids inherited their older siblings' clothes most of the time.

As the title of the post says, that amazing feeling that I had when getting something new is long gone. Today I can afford what clothes or shoes I need or want, and even though I value a lot what I buy and have, somehow I feel less enthusiastic about new clothing items or shoes.

Photo by Tom Sodoge on Unsplash

It may seem strange as I'm a woman and women are known to love fashion items and some are willing to go to extremes in this regard, having an impressive collection of everything, but not me.

I tried to figure out the reason, but I don't think I have an answer. is it because I can afford what I want and have everything I need? Is there another reason? Like clothes and shows serve the purpose and that's all? I was trying to think back if showing off was a thing and most likely it was, although there was not much to show off with and most kids had the same brand of clothes and shoes. Was this the reason? As today I definitely don't want to show off anything I have.

Does this seem crazy? Do you feel the same? Let me know in a comment, let's see if I'm the only weirdo here in this regard 😂

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