Are You Ready for Less?
Well you can lump this in to another New Year’s
Resolution, but this is more of a lifestyle change. Why do we have resolutions?
We want change. Change in our world, in our life, in our diet, etc.
Let us discuss my 3 month resolution/challenge:
minimalism.
Ok, wait, don’t leave.
I’m not selling my house and living in a tiny house
and becoming vegan.
I’m just challenging myself to live with less, consume less, and live more. That doesn’t sound so
hard right?
As Christmas season draws to an end, it is clear that
we consume way too much and call it happiness. I get it. I love to shop. I love
to shop FOR people. But, what is the cost
of every decision we unconsciously make?
Lets take a different direction. What do you want in
life? If you could have anything you want, what would it be?
Think for a second.
Things will run across your mind like, “healthy family”
“more vacations” “more money” “a maid” “Xbox One” etc etc.
Now, let’s go ask someone in their 90’s or 80’s if
they could have anything they wanted, what would they want?
It won’t be an xbox or more money or material goods.
They would want things that we take for granted, time, health, and family. In fact, when you ask your grandparents what
they want for Christmas, is it a long list of material goods? Probably not. Was
that your list? Or are you so SICK of THINGS, that you couldn’t think of
anything? If you were either, good news.
You are ready for the minimalist challenge.
I recently came across a job opportunity which in all
aspects seemed wonderful, but my heart wasn’t invested, and the only thing
drawing me towards it was “money”. We take job opportunities for money and call
it love. We spend money and call it love. We make more money, then buy more
things, and still never have enough….money.
In my quest to understand why I said no, I’ve been
learning about what I truly want. (My boss who is wonderful, said that indeed,
you will learn more about yourself just by entertaining the thoughts of yes or
no.)
Let’s see if you want to take the minimalist challenge
for 3 months with me: Do you identify with any of these quotes?
Number 5, was my calling. Mindless spending does have a cost. When I say, I could never afford a European vacation now that I have a kid, I’m lying to myself because it’s easier. I COULD afford it. Other things would have to make a sacrifice.
1. For the longest
time, I thought I needed to be more organized. Now I know I just needed less
stuff.
2. Stop trying to
impress others with the things you own. Begin inspiring them by the way that
you live.
3. You might get 85
years on this planet- don’t spend 65 paying off a lifestyle you can’t afford.
4. Kids don’t
remember their best day of television.
5. The price of
anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.Number 5, was my calling. Mindless spending does have a cost. When I say, I could never afford a European vacation now that I have a kid, I’m lying to myself because it’s easier. I COULD afford it. Other things would have to make a sacrifice.
I’ve always been a frugal person, never cared much for
new brands. I’ve never owned a coach purse or shopped at high end stores. But I
still consume so much that I don’t need. Clothes go out of style within months.
Electronics are useless within years. We haven’t been consumed by a
materialistic society; we have consumed the materialistic society.
My husband’s cousin Chris dropped his corporate job
and traveled the world. Now he has created his own business. Here is an excerpt
from his blog:
Something had to change.
That something was me.”
Are you convinced yet that you need LESS things and MORE
life experiences?
Are you up for the challenge? Post a pic of your purge and tag me! Come back soon for February’s challenge.
Remember he who buys what he doesn’t need, steals from himself.-Sweedish Proverb
*If you want to learn more, there is a documentary on Netflix: minimalism.
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