Each time I move to a new apartment, I am reminded (much to my irritation) that my life is made up of small, inconsequential things that, as hard as I try, I can’t seem to live without. Like hair creams and blowdryers and straighteners and lotions and little trinkets and porcelain jewelry holders. Every time I move, I pack these little things. Then I unpack them when I get to the new apartment, and there they sit, largely unused except for a few occasions. Why don’t you just get rid of them then? You ask, quite rightly. Because. Because the moment I get rid of them, I will need to use at least one of them. Is this just the unfortunate rule of materiality? I’m sure I could quite successfully live without any of these small objects, but the fact that they exist adds a complexity to life that I don’ t feel I have to live without. This brings me to a question that I asked a few days ago after watching Revolutionary Road (which I found really insightful and incredibly well-made). Why do we perpetually get fed this idea that “it’s all about the little things in life”? Is it because we’re too afraid that if we fail at the “big things” that life wouldn’t be worth living? Because I think such a mentality sets us up for failure and allows us to be content with it. Sure we should appreciate the little things – the same way I appreciate my Fructis Hair Gel – but we shouldn’t be fulfilled just because we appreciate them. We should strive for the big things, and we should feel disappointed when we don’t achieve them, because isn’t that the only way we’ll keep trying?
