Shopping

I like to people watch … I’m fascinated by human behaviour.  I could watch people for hours and be entertained - well, mostly.  I don’t enjoy drama, as such, reality tv and I aren’t friends.  

I was recently out shopping with three teenage girls.  They are related, yet also friends.  We had a lot on our list and only a couple of hours to complete everything … each girl having their own priorities and wish list.  On the way to the mall, they all agreed on what stores they wanted to hit and were excited to see what their options were.  

The girls moved well from store to store, some moving on while others paid for purchases to ensure everyone was able to achieve their goals.  The fascinating part was listening to them give their opinions on their outfits … the girls are different ages, different builds, have different tastes, personal styles and personalities … yet they were supportive.  Giving advice on colour preferences, honest feedback on fit and flatter and general opinions on overall style.  They never diminished each other, attacked their choices etc.  If something didn’t look good they were honest, but nice … “not my favourite” or “I don’t think it suits you” etc. They modelled their choices, sought advice on how to style certain pieces and how to incorporate into their existing wardrobes to justify spending their money and they got excited about each other's choices.  They were patient with each other, enjoyed each other's company and talked the entire time. 

This brings me to my second point.  Listening to conversations you aren’t included in … so amazing. Seriously.  So educational.  They talked about music, YouTube influencers, boys, music again, school, girls who have wronged them - been mean, fallen out with, been hurt by - and music and boys again.  

That what wasn’t as interesting - and it was - as the how.  The animation, the conspiratorial whispers, the laughter, the support.  It was amazing to watch how they stepped into themselves when they felt safe … safe enough to be themselves, to be seen, heard and accepted … no judgement.  Just love, acceptance and support.  

Even when they were defending each other, validating their feelings while sharing stores of mean girls … they just had each other's backs. 

Point of clarification: I love these girls … my bebe’s … fiercely.  I do, however, know they have the capacity to be mean, to be cruel, to be dismissive … to be less than their best selves.  Basically … human.   But, in the moments between the rain, the clothes and the drive … they were these tiny balls of light … filling each other and the space around them with such positive energy.  I was grateful to be a witness to it, a part of it, and while I had nothing to do with it, I was strangely proud of who they were  and how they showed up with and for each other. 

I won’t go into my thoughts on teenage girls … other than to say, they carry a lot.  All the emotions, the weight of judgement … we expect so much more from them then we do ourselves I think.  I don’t envy them, starting their journey.  I have less than no interest in repeating highschool or university … not that my experiences were bad, they weren’t, but I did that once, and once was enough.  

It might seem an odd thing to write about, but lately the world has felt on edge, as if everything and everyone existed in a pressure cooker.  Shopping with my bebe’s … everything felt light.  Like we existed in a bubble and everyone who entered had that same energy and positivity.  It was a welcome reprieve.  

I love watching them human, especially when they are doing it well.  I love watching them shine and I really love watching them bring out the best in each other.  I also love that they allowed me to witness it, be a part of it.  These bebe’s, my other bebe’s … they are turning into these incredible adults, or, are on their way.  Moments like these are good reminders … to enjoy the moments, to be present, to listen.  It’s in those moments that life is in progress … and it’s amazing.