Giving up shopping for an entire year? Is that even possible?! For a self proclaimed shop-a-holic, these words are scary to type-- like "making me feel sick to my stomach" scary. But, I'm GOING to do this. It's not an option.
Why, you ask? Well, it's quite simple, but it does require a bit of a back story. In April of 2013, I felt like my life was going to change, I felt like God had called me to move to Nashville, TN and I spoke to my job about it and they seemed 100% on board with making it happen. As a part of this process, I proceeded to purge and get rid of any excess "stuff" as a part of my move and storing my belongings. I wanted to start fresh, to start anew, without anything I didn't want or use. It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be, freeing would be the better word.
Fast forward six months, October of 2013, my boss came into my office and shut the door. I knew something was up. He sat down in front of my desk and uttered a phrase that still sends hot daggers into my heart (yes, quite dramatic, but it's how I felt). He told me "The answer is NO." Four words that completely shook me to the core. I wasn't able to keep my job and move to Nashville, it wasn't going to work out. I don't remember any of the other words that he told me, because I couldn't make sense of it. How can something that seemed so sure, so "God-ordained" not be happening? After patiently waiting for six months, the answer is just flat out....NO?! I was incredibly angry at God...so, so angry.
So that's when I decided, I will learn to be content, no matter the circumstance. (Phillipians 4:11) I feel like over the past two months or so, God has really been working in my heart on this. I have learned to be content with the fact that I am not moving. Once that was conquered, God provided me with a wonderful condo to live in, in an awesome area of DC. I had given up finding a place to live, and He showed up! (As He always does...)
Because of this, I will have to live on a pretty strict budget, which leads me to the Contentment Challenge. Aside from my new rent payment, I have been feeling convicted in regards to the value I place on "stuff." Silly things, that new shirt or piece of jewelry, that provides temporary relief from a bad day or a hard life situation. I am totally suckered into buying pretty candles at Target (every.time.I.go) and random bits and bobs here and there. And what has this brought me? A whole lot of "stuff" and a closet that when I stare into it, I like about 20% of the articles of clothing in there. I also have some debt that I need to get paid off from credit cards (that I had no business opening) and student loans. I'm less worried about the student loans, but DEFINITELY need to get the credit cards paid off. There's no excuse for that, EVER.
Also, as I become older, I'd love to be giving back more--to charities, adopting a child overseas, etc. We are SO blessed and should be helping wherever we can. On a completely material note, I've also learned the value in saving up for quality pieces that I can use over and over that will last. For example, I used to be a handbag NUT, I had so many different bags of colors, shapes and sizes, and two and half years ago I decided to save up for a Louis Vuitton bag...now to a lot of you, that sounds crazy, but it's something I've wanted for quite some time. So I saved and I paid cash for it. And can I just say, that I have carried that bag virtually EVERY.DAY. since I've bought it! It goes with everything, and two+ years later, looks almost like the day I bought it. (See, there is a reason why those darned things cost so much!) But all kidding aside, if you are buying things of good quality and also that you love, it cuts down on the need for extra "stuff."
I'm not swearing off shopping forever, or saying that everyone needs to jump on this bandwagon, but for me...this is the right thing for right now.
And I am determined to try it--or die trying. We shall see...
So, here are the Guidelines: (I've taken this from THIS blog, her challenge was for 3 months, but I am hoping to last the entire year!)I am also modifying it slightly for the first few months of the year as I'll be moving into a new place and there are legitimately things that I am going to need to buy during that time, but I am giving myself a cut-off point of March for any household/décor items.
• For the next 10 days, your homework is the following: prepare your heart, organize your closet, and make any necessary purchases that you might need during these months. (This is not a last minute shopping spree! This is one final trip to the store for items you will need, and the opportunity for you to say your goodbyes to Target.)
• Choose 1-3 inspiring books to read during this time.
• Gifts are okay! If someone gives you a gift during this time, receive it graciously! If you need to buy someone else a gift, by all means, do so. The point is not to be rude, but to learn more of ourselves and the Lord.
• Necessities are okay! If you drop and break your phone, please go get a new one! If you lose your glasses, buy a new pair. Just don't start justifying new purchases for items that you already have. ("I really NEED this bathing suit, even though there are 8 in my closet already.")
• You must actively pursue something - anything - that replaces your tendency to buy stuff. Begin thinking about something you love or a hobby you've always wanted to do, and make preparations to actually do it.
I'm still working through some of these points. But these are my overall guidelines from now til the end of 2013 (which is less that two weeks away!)
"We are rich only through what we give, and poor only through what we refuse." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
