Meaghanldawson

The Pretend Farm after a rain is my favorite place to be.
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

When it comes to two of my personal goals this year (still working that low-buy lifestyle AND a commitment to staying off my freaking phone) one of the most helpful approaches I've taken has been to focus on what I can ADD to my life instead of what I'm taking away by limiting my time online and/or shopping 'til I drop.

This has led me to pursue a creative life, one filled with whimsy, craft, and a healthy dose of weirdness. And let me tell you, it's kinda fun.

I've taken up sewing. Well, let's be clear, I'm attempting to sew. So far, I've managed one bag, one pillow case, and failed miserably at a pair of pajama pants. Yet still, I persist. (because the creative life is all about resiliency)

I'm watercoloring again. Am I good? Not really. But there is something hypnotic about blending colors and watching something (sort of) come alive from your mind to the paper.

I've been embroidering like a madwoman. I always have at least two projects going, and I've gifted quite a few to friends and family just because. It's a lovely way to engage my hands and my mind.

And, yes, I'm still reading like a fiend (not pictured). I've taken up journaling and writing again (will a blog come back, who knows?), and I'm getting the spring garden started with seedlings and baby plants getting ready to go outside.

This is my creative life lately, but yours might look quite different. And that's ok. But what I would encourage you to do, especially right now when things are more than a little bit chaotic in our world, is to insulate yourself a bit from that. Your attention and your heart are not for sale to the highest bidder. Get off your phones. Stop scrolling and listening to all of the nonsense. The world will be there when you come back from a little whimsical sidequest into creativity. It doesn't need your constant connection.

And, I would argue, you will be so much better off if you find a way to disconnect. Make it your own. Find what you like again, not what is trending. I promise you your step will lighten and you'll feel a renewed sense of freedom as you grow.

I don’t want to alarm anybody, but if you live in North Texas and you want to have summer tomatoes, NOW is the time to start your seeds indoors.

You can start eggplant, peppers, herbs, and any spring annuals you want now, too.

I sow mine in a healthy mix of seed starting mix and potting soil, grow them in a tray under lights with a warming pad just until they sprout their first true leaves then I pot them up and put them outside in a greenhouse.

You don’t need a fancy set up or any special equipment to do it, but I do recommend you start now so they’re ready to go in the ground by March (with protective plans in place for a late frost). I even have a few I started on NYE to go in the ground in February with frost caps.

Need help or advice? Reach out! I love helping people get started on their gardening journey!

If you've been following along in my stories (where I consistently show up more than the feed), you know how this little "Low-Buy Year" experiment has gone. But, for those who don't, and are wondering, here's a little recap of my personal LOW BUY 2025 Challenge.

What I bought (new):
Black Athleta Barrell Pants
Burgundy Thursday Boot Company Penny Loafers
What I was gifted:
Blue and Pink Adidas (for those who know the green Nike drama in my stories, this is why I never went back to get them)
Quince Clogs
Quince Cashmere Wrap

What I bought thrifted or vintage: SO many cool things.

The Bigger Impact:
This challenge was initially about sustainability. I wanted to lessen my personal impact and see how hard it would be to stick to the recommended five new items per year (ref: Berlins Hot or Cool Institute).

But what started as a global well-being challenge quickly morphed into a personal one. It changed everything about how I see the world, the media I consume, my own style, and my values. Once I forced myself to stop impulse shopping, I began to experience more freedom. When the pressure to buy the MUST-HAVE item disappeared, I started to figure out what I really like. Once I began thrifting, I noticed the difference between mass-produced fast fashion and quality. I learned how to mend so my favorite pieces can last. And I am teaching myself how to sew, because WHY NOT?

All in all, this became less of a challenge and more of a core value I will carry forward. I can't imagine going back to my old spending habits in 2026. And I hope, on some level, that I can at least influence you to be more intentional with your spending in 2026.

Now, for those who read through to the end, let me know if you want to see more thrifting, mending, and sewing content in the coming year. I have fallen off of social media as a whole lately because it has felt ICK. But if this is something you want to see more of, I'd be happy to show up and help you along with your own Low-Buy Year Challenge, however that looks!