Strange, isn't it, that no matter how wealthy we get, it's the little things that continually tap us on the shoulder to remind us where we came from.
I've frequently noticed myself buying my toilet paper in bulk and feeling abundant and secure when I'm stocked up and anxious when I know we're down to our last four-pack. It's only recently, though, that I analyzed what these feelings convey.
As you might know, when I was growing up, we didn't have loads of money so I guess toilet tissue came somewhere after food & shelter on the list of necessities. (Sorry, I know it's Sunday and you might think this a little distasteful, but bear with me and you'll see where I'm going with this).
There were times I remember when we'd ran out and had to use newspaper. When I complained, my parents would remind me that my Grandad used newspaper all the time and could be found sitting in front of the fire ripping the paper into 5" squares and threading these onto string for hanging up in the outside "facility".
But still, I hated when we didn't have any always worried about what dreadful newspaper reports I was unwittingly carrying about my person (even then I knew that newspapers favoured negative reporting).
So I reckon my obsession with always having plenty of stocks is a hangover from those days. Having a cupboard full of the things gives me an abundant feeling and yet, I never buy the super-duper quilted, padded, puppy embossed, aloe-vera impregnated, rose scented stuff. Oh no, that would be wasteful.
After all, newspaper is quite good enough!
Great blog - well done!
I know what you mean - I panic when no loo roll too. Shampoo and condtioner, cotton wool pads... gotta have the pack I'm using and a spare besides.. Washing up liquid. I think it's not just a hangover from childhood but from my late teens / early 20's when I would rather go out on the razzle than buy food and toiletries when at college. Occasionally I still yearn for pasta noodles (you can't buy them now) with butter and lots of black pepper - and the All Bran with banana's I used to live on then.
It's not just you Maria - but I do challenge you to go for the "luxury" loo roll.
You are SO WORTH IT!
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 30, 2007 at 07:42 PM