Make Do

I admit, like any good member of a capitalist society, part of any new endeavour includes a frisson of excitement over the acquisition of new stuff to go along with it. A baby is no different. In fact, having a baby in Western society is kind of the epitome of this cult of things. From the $800 bugaboo stroller to the baby Mexx garb to the of-the-moment organic bamboo baby wrap, there's always something more to get to (supposedly) make the whole parenthood experience better, and richer, and to show off that fact to all your mommy and daddy compatriots (or is that competitors?) with logos ablaze. I've participated as gamely in this as anyone else, I admit it. Did the nursery up to the nines, got the austentatious but not-quite-bugaboo-level-pimped-out stroller. But now, as I struggle my way through the first few weeks of motherhood for the second time, it's come to me that the things aren't what have the power to make a mommy, or a baby happy. Let's face it, some of the most joyful, and precocious and accomplished people out there in the world came from very humble beginnings. They probably even endured babyhoods completely devoid of mei tei carriers and sophie the giraffes and organic purees!

I'm bringing this up for a few reasons - first of all, one of my plans for this year is to be *alot* more careful and responsible with my money. Second of all, I am hoping to find some fulfillment over the course of this year, not from acquiring things, but from what I accomplish, and how I feel about myself and my baby, beyond the filters of the adorable ruffly baby garb and all the other trappings of motherhood. Hence the motto "make do". This saying has two connotations here - first of all, it bears the usual meaning, to "make do" with what one has. I intend to spend this year, not by spending money on all sorts of extraneous stuff, but by appreciating what I have already, by learning to live on less, and by wringing meaning and experience and happiness from the raw material we already have at our disposal. This flows into the other meaning of "make do" that I will try to abide by - to "make" and to "do". Last mat leave, and in general, we try to pull far too much meaning and emotion from the act of getting, or buying, of acquiring the new. I want to switch this up - by taking what I have already in terms of raw material (my two hands, my sewing machine, my talent, my time, my camera, my computer, etc.) and making and doing with these raw materials. Making - making stories, making photographs, making memories, making clothes, making crafts, making money eve, maybe! Doing - doing more than sitting in front of the computer or the tv - exercising, photography, writing, crafting, creating, spending time with my family, learning, reading. I am hoping that this mantra will carry me through the year in such a way that I can look back on this time fondly, and feel better about myself and the future of my family as 2011 comes to a close and 2012 approaches.