#047 ✰ Mathilde Shares Stories
#11 Bicolor Windbreaker
Hey there 👋 I’m Mathilde. Every week I explore the intersection of consumerism, myth, satisfaction, desire, joy and pride. Not specifically in that order. To brag at your next dinner, Objet is the french word for 'object' and should be pronounced 'OB-JEH'. You're welcome.
Good day!
As you know, every week, I am paying a small tribute to an existing object that I live with, by writing down its story.
#11 Bicolor Windbreaker
This jacket and I have had a complicated story.
The want. Berlin, 2016. I’m in much need for a waterproof jacket to keep riding my bike under heavy rains. As a scandinavian proverb goes, “there is no bad weather, only bad equipment”. I scroll the www, but deep down, I think I know I want a Patagonia jacket. They are known for making quality outdoors outfit. Plus the brand is cool. I so much like this size and shape that I don’t mind “water resistant” instead of “waterproof”. Serious mistake.
The disappointment. Begins a series of days bike riding under the rain. The first few minutes are fine, then I am soaked. Damn it.
Since then, I’ve been wearing it from time to time. It’s somehow convenient because super light, and it fits in a pocket. But it mainly fits on the back of my wardrobe, to be honest. I can’t rely on it for heavy rains and so I need another one for heavy rains. Clap clap.
The separation. Lisbon, 2021. I finally decide to end this toxic relationship. A young local company offers to deal with no-longer-wanted, quality outfit. Thank you and bye, water resistant buddy.
The come-back. Lyon, 2022. That company shut down. They send us our stuff back. Noooo! And now I have to think about it again…🙈🙈🙈 I decide to give it another try: I go running and enjoy wearing it after the run, to keep me warm while playing outside with the kids. What should we do now, amigo?
My conclusion is that buying a not-exactly-what-I-need-but-that’s-ok-the-hype-is-there will surely disappoint. And the fact that the brand is widely perceived as “good” might make you drop your guard more easily. So stay strong and away from impulse, it sucks.
About Objet.
Objet is an app where you can track the things you own and the ones you would like to thoughtfully acquire.
Build beautiful collections of all your belongings and regain control over them. Share the stories of your favorite objects with your friends.
📣 New landing page… and countdown to a new app! (Announcing it to feel the pressure.) New onboarding starting again next week, leave your email.
Cool talks.
🎙 “You can never get enough of what you don’t really need.” Over 18 million Americans have a compulsive buying disorder (so 5.8 % of the US population in 2018). Do you? Psychologist April Benson roots the cause deep down in human behavior: “a way of denying the finality of death, and a way to prolong things.”
When confronted to a purchase, she recommends to ask yourself the following questions:
why am I here?
how do I feel?
do I need this?
what if I wait?
how would I pay for it?
where would I put it?
In brief: a much needed pause.
Til next week,
Mathilde