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.
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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.
#9 Retro Toiletry Bag
#handmade • #colorful • #family
My sister is a self-made sewing star. When my first son was born, she blessed us with washable wipes and a baby pee cone (I invite you to find out what it is - you’re welcome). When first Covid19 wave hit, she shipped us fabric masks. When our second child was born, we were gifted a super soft glaze blanket, beautiful swaddles and this toiletry bag.
The magic behind these gifts is that they are entirely custom. I so much appreciate when I am asked what we need or want instead of being offered a random baby present. The feeling is even more complete when this particular thing is the result of few hours of my time and the maker’s time combined, conceiving and crafting the object. From geeking out on instagram, blogs and pinterest for the overall look of it ; to reflecting on my past experience with a small baby and my real needs during that time ; from picking up the fabric among her beautiful selection ; to finally, holding in my hands the hours she spent watching tutorials, measuring, cutting, sewing - all while listening to her favorite radio broadcast.
I am proud to take this one out of my bag every time I’m grabbing the little one to change his diaper. I had folks (mum, let’s be honest) asking me about the brand - uh uh, you won’t find it anywhere, sorry ladies 😎. My sister’s expertise remains in headbands but how cool is that to enjoy her skills on whatever accessories you need!
We all know the power of stories. Stories are the reasons why we listen to one person more than the other, why we choose a brand or a product over another. Stories are what makes objects worth millions or just a trip to the landfill.
Enter the challenge 🎯
Share some of your existing objects with their personal backstories, to the rest of the participants. Your inventory will increment naturally, story after story. And so is the satisfaction of what you have already. This week, follow the themes behind my Toiletry Bag:
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.
Cool reads.
If the secret of satisfaction (and thus happiness) in life lies in having fewer wants, according to the formula:
Satisfaction = What You Have ÷ What You Want
… here are some tips to cultivate the art of having fewer wants. Among the list, plasticity (having plans B and C and being at peace with the possibilities of them happening for real) and staying tough (value effort, always).
Can’t agree more, and I am happy to share two examples of how this has applied in my own life.
about plasticity. A birth plan. Knowing you have little to no control at all on how things will happen on d-day, this helps tremendously to just let go.
about staying tough. I always stood against buying a travel pillow, for I knew I would become addicted to this comfort and would not appreciate a flight without it. Still resisting!
