I enjoyed the forever home article. My husband and I were lucky enough to buy a home shortly after we got married in 2016. We had our first child in 2023, and since then I have been obsessed with buying a "forever home," despite the fact that it is not economically feasible for us right now. Just a few weeks ago my husband had to sit me down and tell me that there is nothing wrong with what we have and should be thankful for it. If the time comes for us to move on the opportunity will present itself, and if not, we can do a lot with what we already have.
I just feel that there is so much pressure to have things like bigger homes or SUVs with a third row that we lose sight of what is really important. We have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, a refrigerator full of food, can afford all of our utilities, cars that get us to where we need to go, and a beautiful healthy child. Forget about the forever home- I have found my forever life.
Ah, I'm glad that you shared this, Jessica. I relate to it so much! There are numerous reasons Sam and I aren't ready to buy right now (work, finances, etc.), and it can be incredibly hard not to scroll Zillow and dream of what "could be." (Especially with the beautiful homes we're confronted with on social media, TV, etc.)
But when I remind myself how much I love where we are in our lives -- even if it means getting *very creative* about use of space at times -- I'm able to be more present, more grateful.
The most shocking thing in the Brandy Melville doc was the forced sending of Polaroids of the teen employees to adult men in charge. How normalized: "Hey we need to send your pic to the CEO", gross. Obviously they were looking to steal style inspo for free, but also deliberately pervy. Don't tell me those pics aren't on some website somewhere now, they totally are.
From a business perspective, the fact that each store is individually owned by a shell company is an additional layer of business security that I'm surprised hasn't been made a bigger deal. Where was a business attorney talking about how out of the ordinary this is?
And the global waste perspective was good to get out there as well, it was an unexpected but welcome section.
I would say I LOVED the doc, but did find it interesting.
The global waste perspective was my favorite part! I wish that had been a much bigger focus. The True Cost is now on my list; will report back once I've seen it: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3162938/
I appreciate the home ownership article, especially this bit:
“Maybe it’s more healthy to just plan for right now. “It’s good to keep an open mind no matter what your situation in life,” she says, “if we approach more things as, ‘this feels good for this point in my life,’ it opens more opportunities for us to check in.’”
As someone who bought her own home as a single woman a few years ago, hoping to one day meet a partner and then cross that bridge when it came, I didn’t see it as my forever home. But I also didn’t want to wait to live my life. I used to think home ownership was so permanent which felt limiting and stifling; this article is a helpful reminder that nothing in life is guaranteed/permanent and to be mindful of the societal ideals we’re fed and critically evaluate what’s right for us as individuals in a given moment.
Thanks for sharing, would love to hear more on what you’re thinking Aliza!
Place I am dying to go back to: MEXICOOOOO. Dan just got back from his bachelor trip to its Pacific Coast and I had huge W-MO (Was Missing Out). Beach Mexico, Mexico City, somewhere in the highlands, ANYWHERE!
Wow, yes, please write about not buying a home! I would love to hear your thoughts. My husband and I have been renters for our entire adult lives and while there are so many reasons to be looking for a forever home, it's just not been in the cards for us and neither of us have a strong desire to go through the process. I always love hearing other's opinions and thoughts on this, since so often buying a house feels like this marker of adulthood that society puts upon us.
Oh, it’s really nice to hear from someone who’s in a similar place! (I guess I feel a little defensive of the choice now that I examine it.) Ok, definitely gotta write about it.
I enjoyed the forever home article. My husband and I were lucky enough to buy a home shortly after we got married in 2016. We had our first child in 2023, and since then I have been obsessed with buying a "forever home," despite the fact that it is not economically feasible for us right now. Just a few weeks ago my husband had to sit me down and tell me that there is nothing wrong with what we have and should be thankful for it. If the time comes for us to move on the opportunity will present itself, and if not, we can do a lot with what we already have.
I just feel that there is so much pressure to have things like bigger homes or SUVs with a third row that we lose sight of what is really important. We have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, a refrigerator full of food, can afford all of our utilities, cars that get us to where we need to go, and a beautiful healthy child. Forget about the forever home- I have found my forever life.
So beautifully said — thank you for sharing.
Ah, I'm glad that you shared this, Jessica. I relate to it so much! There are numerous reasons Sam and I aren't ready to buy right now (work, finances, etc.), and it can be incredibly hard not to scroll Zillow and dream of what "could be." (Especially with the beautiful homes we're confronted with on social media, TV, etc.)
But when I remind myself how much I love where we are in our lives -- even if it means getting *very creative* about use of space at times -- I'm able to be more present, more grateful.
Thank you and Aja for putting out this publication!
The most shocking thing in the Brandy Melville doc was the forced sending of Polaroids of the teen employees to adult men in charge. How normalized: "Hey we need to send your pic to the CEO", gross. Obviously they were looking to steal style inspo for free, but also deliberately pervy. Don't tell me those pics aren't on some website somewhere now, they totally are.
From a business perspective, the fact that each store is individually owned by a shell company is an additional layer of business security that I'm surprised hasn't been made a bigger deal. Where was a business attorney talking about how out of the ordinary this is?
And the global waste perspective was good to get out there as well, it was an unexpected but welcome section.
I would say I LOVED the doc, but did find it interesting.
The global waste perspective was my favorite part! I wish that had been a much bigger focus. The True Cost is now on my list; will report back once I've seen it: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3162938/
I appreciate the home ownership article, especially this bit:
“Maybe it’s more healthy to just plan for right now. “It’s good to keep an open mind no matter what your situation in life,” she says, “if we approach more things as, ‘this feels good for this point in my life,’ it opens more opportunities for us to check in.’”
As someone who bought her own home as a single woman a few years ago, hoping to one day meet a partner and then cross that bridge when it came, I didn’t see it as my forever home. But I also didn’t want to wait to live my life. I used to think home ownership was so permanent which felt limiting and stifling; this article is a helpful reminder that nothing in life is guaranteed/permanent and to be mindful of the societal ideals we’re fed and critically evaluate what’s right for us as individuals in a given moment.
Thanks for sharing, would love to hear more on what you’re thinking Aliza!
Nothing in life is guaranteed/permanent — yes! I've been coming back to this idea a lot lately.
Oh geez I put the wrong name in my comment above, sorry Aja! 🙈
No apology necessary!! I knew what you meant 😊
PLEASE write about potentially renting forever! I am thinking about doing this, but as a "mommune" with friends.
Also, Iceland for a place I'd go back! Absolutely stunning, and easy to get around.
Tell me more!! How many moms? How many kids? What kind of place??
Place I am dying to go back to: MEXICOOOOO. Dan just got back from his bachelor trip to its Pacific Coast and I had huge W-MO (Was Missing Out). Beach Mexico, Mexico City, somewhere in the highlands, ANYWHERE!
Oh biiiiig same. I've bookmarked some incredible hotels in Mexico...
- https://amomoxtli.com/en/
- https://www.coquicoqui.com/izamal
- https://www.anticavilla.com/
Wow....!
I dream of being back in Mexico City.
Wow, yes, please write about not buying a home! I would love to hear your thoughts. My husband and I have been renters for our entire adult lives and while there are so many reasons to be looking for a forever home, it's just not been in the cards for us and neither of us have a strong desire to go through the process. I always love hearing other's opinions and thoughts on this, since so often buying a house feels like this marker of adulthood that society puts upon us.
Oh, it’s really nice to hear from someone who’s in a similar place! (I guess I feel a little defensive of the choice now that I examine it.) Ok, definitely gotta write about it.
Completely agree!
I will be keeping an eye out for that butter👀 - MF
Let's stay in touch...
The corndog I had at Dollywood changed my life 😂
i'm putting Dollywood on my "fun to do list"
The fact that I grew up 3 hours away and have still never visited is...a sin. It's happening this decade though!
I'm inviting myself along lol
It depends on how many women want to join! So far I have one friend, but we've talked to others about joining us and they're into the idea :)