As a teenager in the 80’s, I eagerly awaited my Interview magazine every month.  Andy Warhol founded this oddly elongated and very stylish magazine.  The advertisements were amazing…Valentino, Absolut Vodka, Calvin Klein.  The pages featured everything and everyone that was cool at the time.  Cristy, Naomi, Linda, Cindy…I was really taken with one particular brand called “Organically Grown”.  I dragged my mom to shop for clothes with this label.  My first pair of Organically Grown shorts cost $32.  The was quite expensive back then.  I was so happy and wore those silly shorts everywhere for a long, long time.  Izod shirt, my new shorts and penny loafers were my uniform and brought me pure happiness and joy.  I felt invincible in that outfit cracking my Hubba Bubba bubble gum, listening to The Clash on my Sony MegaBass Walkman.

These days, I don’t get the same thrill with buying things, clothes or anything else for that matter.  Happiness is so different in my 40’s.  Both my sisters and many friends like designer labels.  I can’t imagine what the inventory of designer goods adds up to even in one of their closets.  Don’t get me wrong, I like nice things too,  but I just don’t get that feeling I used to get in my younger days.  Spending $1,200 on shoes doesn’t bring me elation.  I have bought many overpriced items only to realize that I don’t feel any happier with them.  My mom tells me I have become “an old lady” just like her.  I don’t have a desire to acquire things anymore.  Maybe it is a characteristic of getting older.

These days, I like feeling good.  That brings me happiness.  Nowadays, long runs make me feel like I’m invincible.  And not being injured is priceless.  Cooking keeps me content.  And illustrating lets me express myself.  My kids make me feel young again.  My husband makes me feel appreciated (…in his own way…that’s another post).  My parents make me feel important.  And my friends make me laugh and laugh at my lame jokes.  Excellent coffee and a really good margarita also make me happy!

I have become a minimalist.  Simple things and being content really do bring me happiness.