If you remember, Thursdays are going to be my weekly post about the Contentment Challenge. And, today’s Thursday 🙂 It took me awhile to figure out what to say. Usually, I pre-blog. I write my posts a few days in advance since life gets busy & blogging takes time… but today was different. This Challenge, y’all, is rocking my world…

It’s been 1 week & I can already see the highs AND the lows.

Let’s talk about that time I walked into Michael’s for a few DSE supplies, and over half the store had a giant 80% sticker on it. So fun.

Or that time I really wanted a coffee when I was running errands, but I drank my water-from-home instead.

Or how about that time my devotional was so spot on it literally brought tears to my eyes. God’s really good like that.

How’s it been going for you? Really?

(Be honest here. This is a no-judging zone.)

If I’m being honest … one of my biggest issues has come with owning my own business. Yes, there are DEFINITELY unnecessary purchases (who really needs 4 different shades of pink washi tape?), but there are also some expenses that I DO need; I’ve been really trying to make sure I differentiate my business NEEDS from my WANTS. Does that make sense? See, I have several styled shoots coming up in the next few months, and the perfectionist & detail-lover in me wants to blow them out of the water. But at the same time, I have to be wise with what I purchase. I’ve found that, so far, not buying clothes, food, “stuff” hasn’t been that hard… but not buying that really-amazing-vase-that-would-work-so-well-in-the-shoot is a LOT harder. So instead of walking through Target on my lunch break, I’m spending more time walking through Michaels or a Thrift shop. Again, it’s not that these purchases are BAD… it’s the fact that my heart BEHIND them is. When I buy them, I’m not just thinking about my client’s needs… I’m thinking about my prideful heart & being discontent with the vase I already own that would work JUST as good as the one I’m buying. Do you see how gross my heart is?!

So, 1 week in and I already had to re-evaluate. Don’t you hate when that happens?! Ugh.

I’ve re-evaluate what constitutes as a “business expense”. AND why I think I “need” it in the first place. That’s my biggest tip, y’all. When you feel tempted, when you feel like you-just-hafta-have-it, consider WHY. Why is it so important? Why has it become a “need”? And justify THAT in your pretty little mind. When I walked into Michaels yesterday (hence that horrible 80% off story), I had JUSTIFYABLE needs – floral tape, floral wire, floral scissors (do you see a theme, ha!). That vase on sale, the extra ribbon, the sparkle washi tape… NOT needs.

When you look at that cardigan, or those adorable clearance earrings – think WHY. WHY do you “need” it? And I betcha 10 bucks you’ll realize you don’t. Your head is telling your heart you do. But you really don’t.

This Challenge is 100% about the heart. About our pride, our greed, our lust for what isn’t ours… “be on your guard against every form of greed” – that’s my prayer. That I know what my REAL needs are, and shield my heart from every form of greed.

xo, kat