Miko enjoying the fresh air on his new "dog bed".
It's been almost year since my last blog post - OOPS!! There have been lots of little self-discoveries along the way, but today I felt inspired to take the time to sit down and write......Why? I chose to spend the morning sitting in the backyard with the dogs, working at my computer, writing down teaching ideas in my studio planner, daydreaming and laughing at the dog antics. Not a big deal, EXCEPT that I had a 40% coupon at one of my FAVORITE stores that was only good today.......I could have missed a bargain, but the relaxing morning was worth a great deal more than the one more "thing" that I really don't need, as they say.
Several months ago I read a book titled "Consumer Detox - Less Stuff, More Life" by Mark Powley. I have spent much of my life right in the thick of consumerism - participating freely, enthusiastically and willingly. In my 20's, I had a perfectly decorated apartment, until I saw another way to more "perfectly" decorate it - I had the perfect wardrobe to express my sense of style, until something better and "more perfect" came along. There was so much to choose from and I wanted a life filled with as much as possible......I thought "stuff" would bring fulfillment. Perhaps it did, temporarily......along with that pesky credit card debt - YUCKY!!!
Then came my 30's...I had to learn to spend less, with more financial responsibilities, such as home ownership, balancing a budget for two after getting married. These were the years of thrift shopping, where you could find anything for a bargain. Out went my obsession with having the newest and latest styles or home decor - I just bought things I liked found thrift shopping quite a fun adventure. I found LOTS of stuff at bargain prices. Of course I would have relapse moments and return home with a bunch of new unneeded "stuff" from my latest "non-thrift" shopping spree.
But by my late 30's, I began to question whether I really needed every bargain I found. Did I really need to have the latest home decor to live a fulfilling life? Even if I needed all that stuff, WHERE was I going to put it??? How would I pay for it all without running up a huge bill? It only takes a few times of moving and a couple times of paying off debt to make you revaluate your need for "stuff".
By the time my husband and I settled in Indianapolis, I realized our great accumulation of "stuff" wasn't bringing more fulfillment, it was actually creating more stress. We had to organize all that stuff, clean all that stuff and pay for all that stuff......and probably, in the future, move all that stuff again! There had to be a change, but it would not be easy, because, sad to say, I do love a bargain, I do love stuff and I do love to shop - so that is how I became a "recovering consumer". I had to reprogram my desire for things, I knew this would not be an easy task......so I created an arsenal of tools including the following....
1. My handy book and journal "Consumer Detox" by Mark Powley. I highly recommend it if you want to make this change in your life. It makes you think.......
2. A budget and a desire to stay in the budget, stay out of debt and save money. I now get excited as I see our savings grow. If that excitement can match the excitement of a bargain. WOW! Then I have arrived!
3. My church community: I recently joined the Mennonite Church and I have no doubt that this has helped strengthen my views. Being surrounded by an entire church community that places great value on living simply and frugally, as well as giving generously to those in need certainly provides an invaluable model, as well as encouragement to continue on this path. In addition, as we live more frugally, we have more to give to the less fortunate. I also find myself experiencing great joy when giving, more so than a great bargain for myself. Again - WOW! I love this change!
4. Friends, Family and Life Experiences: It's essentially free to spend time with family, friends have what I call a "life experience". I can chat on the phone or have coffee with a friend - that brings me great joy, other than the cost of the phone call, which I pay for anyhow, there's no debt or stuff piling up. My choice this morning to relax in the yard was a great "life experience" - it inspired me to write this post and didn't cost a dime! Some experiences cost money - I'm ok with that too, my husband and I have two yearly traditions: Camp Arcadia in Michigan and Indy 500 tickets - but, it is money well spent, without debt AND we aren't left with more stuff at the end to clean, organize and pay for!
It has been a wonderful day, it will always be a challenge to resist the urge to buy something I don't really need, but today was a big accomplishment in my opinion......I hope there are more days like this ahead. It will most certainly lead to a life full of joy and possibility!
Gilbert taking in the fresh air - one of his favorite pastimes!
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