I was born in 1962. I tell you this because it means I was a bit too young to fully appreciate the flower power generation, but old enough to be totally captivated by the colors, music, clothing, and peaceful message I associated with that time period. The modern hippie lifestyle captivated me – and definitely influenced my childhood.
Modern Hippie Lifestyle: Growing Up
My closet was filled with paisley prints, rainbows, bell-bottoms, and anything with flowers. My portable turntable endlessly played the Beatles, the 5th Dimension, Simon & Garfunkel, and the Mamas & the Papas. When I was done listening to albums, I ran outside barefoot in cut-off jeans and walked through the woods looking for pretty flowers. And, once I was old enough to be allowed to walk to the mall by myself, I took my allowance and bought a black light and funky poster to hang on my bedroom wall. I remember staring at that poster for hours.
Music and art were in my blood, too. I played several instruments, painted, and drew whenever I could. And I wrote a lot. I wrote poems and short stories and kept a diary that stored the names of my latest true loves. By all accounts I should have grown up to be a hippie, living the modern hippie lifestyle in an intentional community and practicing yoga and daily meditation.
But somewhere in my life journey I took a sharp turn. I left my music and art behind (much to my parents’ dismay) and instead determined I needed to fit in with a different crowd. I traded bell-bottoms for power suits, Birkenstocks for high-heeled pumps, and the hippie handbag I lovingly crocheted for a designer bag. I stopped thinking about becoming a music teacher and instead pursued a career that offered steady income, medical benefits, a few weeks of vacation every year, and an office desk with phone and computer.
Modern Hippie Lifestyle: Losing my Roots
With great determination, I traveled on this career path for decades. And ultimately, with hard work and long hours, I became a “success” in the eyes of the world. I earned a corporate title, bought a nice home, took beautiful vacations, and even tucked money away for my retirement. I had clothes in my closet, food in the fridge, great friends, and a loving family. It would have been easy to continue this way and retire relatively young. Life was good.
Frankly, I was not unhappy with my career and the life I’d chosen. There was nothing “wrong” with it. As a matter of fact, there was really so much “right.” But, in the back of my mind was a voice I couldn’t ignore. It was a sweet childlike voice that never stopped singing “Aquarius” by the 5th Dimension. You know the lyrics, right?
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!
Sometimes the voice sang loudly—sometimes softly. But it always sang the song that became my personal anthem for living a more creative, free-flowing, eco-conscious, and sensitive lifestyle.
Modern Hippie Lifestyle: Embracing My Inner Hippie
One day, while I was sitting at my office desk, it struck me. All these years, I’d been hiding my inner hippie. I had suppressed my inner flower child. I’d denied a big part of who I was and hadn’t been truthful about the things I loved to do and the life I wanted to live. So, five years ago, I closed one chapter and began a new one. I left my corporate job, sold my NY home, packed all my belongings, and moved to the mountains of Tennessee. That’s where I married my husband and we started a brand-new adventure together.
The good news is that I no longer hide my inner hippie. Now I run free, dance around in tie-dyed, eco-friendly fashions, sing ‘60s songs at the top of my lungs, and spend as much quiet time as I need. That inner hippie is free to hike in the woods, create organic vegan recipes, paint, write, see live music, and play music.
Modern Hippie Lifestyle: No More Hiding
YUP! No more hiding. I have no regrets about that sharp turn I took in my life. I’m grateful for all the lessons I learned, the people I met, and the opportunities I had. But now I’m following a different (yet strangely familiar) path. And I bet you can guess what song I’m singing as I go along. Would you like to sing along with me?
Let the sun shine . . . let the sun shine . . .
Peace,
Katrina Mayer
Laura
May 24, 2016 at 3:28 am (9 years ago)Thank you for such an inspirational read Katrina, I just loved it! You put a smile on my face and a new attitude in my heart to pursue my long-denied inner hippie. Much love to you!
Katrina
May 29, 2016 at 12:26 pm (9 years ago)Thank you for your kind words, Laura. Wishing you great joy on your journey!
George Peters
May 25, 2016 at 1:12 pm (9 years ago)I loved the story. For those who were unlucky enough to miss 1968, the song lyrics should be credited to the musical Hair. Yes, the 5th Dimension did a great cover of the song but the musical was the album all of us long haired crazy freaks carried around. Thanks for posting that great story of metamorphosis.
Katrina
May 29, 2016 at 12:30 pm (9 years ago)Ahhh… yes! My parents had both the 5th Dimension and the Hair albums. However, I wasn’t allowed to listen to the Hair album because some of the lyrics were not considered appropriate for a six-year-old. LOL! So I only heard the 5th Dimension sing Aquarius until I was a bit older. Then, when I discovered the Hair album I couldn’t stop listening to it. Thanks for the fun memory, George! Big hugs!
Rene Nitz
May 27, 2016 at 1:12 am (9 years ago)I liked reading your story. You and I have a lot in common! I was born in ’64, loved looking at all the hippies of that period and the music. Went to college, worked in corporate. Married later in life, left corporate, moved to California and now do what I love: make handcrafted vegan soap and do volunteer work with incarcerated women. Yay for our inner hippies!
Katrina
May 29, 2016 at 12:31 pm (9 years ago)YES! We do have a lot in common, Rene. Thanks for sharing a bit of your story. Hugs!
Hollie
May 27, 2016 at 2:06 pm (9 years ago)Fabulous story. I can definitely relate. <3
Katrina
May 29, 2016 at 12:31 pm (9 years ago)Thank you, Hollie!
Izzy Dasti
May 27, 2016 at 6:00 pm (9 years ago)Wow, thanks for sharing. I can completely relate. I tucked away my inner hippie while I was raising my children. I can’t even really begin to tell you why, I think it’s because I felt I needed to put myself aside & just be mother, wife, employee. There was no time to be me. Well I am happy to say that I changed that a couple years ago when I couldn’t ignore my soul screaming form attention. My inner hippie is back & happier than ever. My husband almost forgot that I was what he calls the tie dye tree huggin hippie 🙂
Katrina
May 29, 2016 at 12:53 pm (9 years ago)Awesome! So happy to hear you released your inner hippie, Izzy. Doesn’t it feel great?
jessyca
May 27, 2016 at 7:43 pm (9 years ago)Thank you so much for posting your wonderful article Katrina! I too was born in 1962 and have always felt so in tune with the music and clothing and soul of the 60s that I have often felt that I was born 10 years too late! I have been hiding my inner hippie the last 15 years but now I feel that I have reconnected to that glorious part of myself again and Thank Soul Flower for making the clothing that my soul longs for! Thank you for sharing! My soul Thanks you too! Jessy
Katrina
May 29, 2016 at 12:57 pm (9 years ago)I agree! Soul Flower clothing definitely helps to reconnect us with the free-spirit feeling, Jessyca. So fun to wear an outfit that reflects our inner (and outer) flower child. Thanks for sharing your story. Hugs!
Burnell Yow!
May 28, 2016 at 12:34 pm (9 years ago)Wonderful message and beautifully written, Katrina. As a former Vibe Triber and senior hippie, I can relate. I am thrilled your inner hippie is now free to express and create.
Katrina
May 29, 2016 at 1:02 pm (9 years ago)Burnell, I read your posts from last year. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and showing us how to be Vibe Tribers through your unique style and grace. Hugs!
Jerry Laskin
June 24, 2016 at 7:01 am (9 years ago)I too was born in 1962, and was in fact your neighbor on 224th Street just 2 doors down I believe. Remember Pamela Leeds down the block? Remember the cherry tree in my backyard and my favorite Siamese cat named Ming? I too remember purchasing my very first Partrudge Family, 5th Dimension, the Association and Jackson Five’s greatest hits, I remember your mom and dad Werner I think his name was. My dad was a professional piano player and teacher. I too feel I’m a product of the 60’s despite being born way too young for this decade. I’ve been a devoted Beatles and Paul McCartney fan my whole life. Music and the arts have been such a lifelong passion for me which in turn inspired my little DJ and event planning business for the last 30 year! I recently discovered you on Facebook Katrina and wanted to say hi. I have old photo slides my dad took of you and Eric and me when we were little. It’s great to see you happy and pursuing your passions. Your words are very inspirational. Please stay in touch and feel free to look me up on Facebook as well
Regards from your former Laurelton neighbo and early childhood friend,
Jerry 🙂
http://www.jerrylaskin.com
[email protected]
(516) 375-0217
Katrina Mayer
July 7, 2016 at 8:06 pm (8 years ago)Hey there, Jerry! Of course I remember you and Pamela Leeds. But I don’t think I remember the cherry tree. LOL! Somewhere my mom has a pic of us in an album. Laurelton was a happening place back in the 60’s, don’t you think? It looked a little different when I went back to visit 224th St about 10 years ago. I’m happy you are doing well and thanks for finding me. It’s fun to stay in touch after all these years. I’ll send you a FB friend request if that’s okay. Have a great day! Katrina
Mary
August 3, 2016 at 2:41 am (8 years ago)Your story is my story. Born in 1962, I was raised on a farm and allowed to roam, listen to music, create, and live. My inner hippie was lost in the 80s to shoulder pads, Monday to Friday regular hours, and materialism. I’m finally beginning to rediscover that part of me that was tucked away for so many years, and I feel as if my life is beginning again. Thank you for your inspiring words.
Katrina Mayer
August 6, 2016 at 12:22 am (8 years ago)Another kindred spirit! How wonderful, Mary! Peace, love and happiness on your journey.
Nancy
April 6, 2021 at 2:11 pm (4 years ago)I liked reading your story. You and I have a lot in common! Look forward to read more about you.