what does it mean to tend?

For months now I’ve felt the pull of a changing wind, whispering to me about new and blooming fields.

I started Tend during the pandemic, seeking to connect humans to beautiful, pre-loved objects for their homes. Tend represented my own personal wish - for a community that celebrates a soulful approach to creating spaces. For me, this has always meant prioritizing items that already exist in the world, rather than new things, whenever possible.

Since opening in May of 2020, I have moved thousands of vintage objects and clothes to new homes, been bowled over by the support of customers and fellow vintage sellers, and made many new friends. Finding, mending, and presenting special objects for you has brought me unexpected, tremendous joy. I have wanted to have my own store since I was a little girl. But now I am seeking a more impactful way to share my love of slow, sustainable design than my small retail business could manage.

Which brings me back to the question, what does it mean to tend?

I believe that to tend means practicing deep and mindful listening, welcoming, and nurturing, within and around ourselves. To celebrate - and also respect - the interdependent wellbeing of planet, nature, humanity, community, place, home, and self. We cannot truly nourish one while ignoring the other. I visualize these realms as spiraling, connected rings.

One way that I practice this awareness is in caring for my home and the everyday objects in them. Through meditative acts like sweeping, sanding, scrubbing, sewing, patching, and painting, I hope to support my belongings as they support me. I express my gratitude for the resources of labor, energy and natural materials that went into their creation by helping them last.

Of course, tending to our possessions is just one facet of a much larger dialogue about what it means to take good care - of our bodies, our land, and each other.

I’ve been reflecting on the space that might exist between what I love (old things and beautiful spaces), what I’m good at (photography), and what the world needs (to preserve, teach and celebrate the slow art of taking care). My hope is that in this space, I might share what is inspiring, challenging or informing me, through my own discoveries and through conversations with folks who have their own forms of tending to offer.

I’ll still have the occasional vintage treasure for sale, but I am equally excited to focus on so much more than that, while leaving room for the clever spring breeze.

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Thank you for being with me through the years, and especially in this time of introspection and transition.

Love,
Caroline

All images by Caroline Goddard.