Can I be honest with you? I wrote this post a week & a half ago and have been having a really hard time hitting “publish”…. I told you yesterday that I am going to be starting a new blog series titled The Planner in Me. My vision for this series is to focus on practical planning tips – ways we can better plan, de-clutter, and organize it all. Well, part of planning is looking at all your stuff, and figuring out HOW or WHAT to do with it all. Friends, I just have TOO MUCH STUFF. And that’s where this post comes in… (and it’s a long one so prepare yourself!) …
For the last few months I’ve been seeing a hashtag pop up on Instagram: #contentmentchallenge. I wondered what in the world this was. I was intrigued. I found a blog post by Lara Casey, that then led me to a post by Nancy Ray. The Contentment Challenge is a 3 month challenge to not buy anything new – clothes, shoes, accessories, STUFF. Ummmmm.
I immediately tuned it out. Nope, not for me. I’m content.
But I kept coming back to it… in my mind, in my heart, in my life. I kept second-guessing myself until I finally allowed myself to realize that I’m NOT content.
I find myself discontent with STUFF, y’all. I constantly step into Target and think “oh I need that cardigan”, “oh those pillows would look so good on our couch”, “hey, I don’t have nail polish that color”. It’s a horrible, nasty cycle. Do you find that you do that? You see a sale and think, “well it IS on sale” even though you already have something similar and don’t need another. Kohls, Michaels, TJ Maxx, Target… they suck in me in like a vortex and I honestly don’t even want to know how much I’ve spent there in the last year. Probably a DISGUSTING amount. Ugh.
“Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5
I originally tuned out the Contentment Challenge because I was AFRAID I couldn’t do it. I talked myself into thinking I WAS content so that I wouldn’t feel like a failure for NOT doing it. Welp, friends, I AM DISCONTENT and that is so, so wrong. Target, TJ Maxx, Michael’s… those stores get my every.single.time. Shops like Emily Ley and Ashlee Proffitt are so stinkin’ cute that I buy something, even when I don’t NEED it. Or somebody I know doesn’t need it. (I say that last part because I absolutely LOVE giving gifts. Christmas is so much fun for me!!! I LOVE finding the PERFECT gift for someone. And I tend to shop for gifts all year long – I see something in March for a friend’s birthday in August, I get it and tell myself I’ll hold on to it… but then in June I see something ELSE really great for her – so I get that, too. She doesn’t NEED both. I can’t just buy & buy & buy… I have to pump the brakes a bit.)
Writing this post is really hard for me, because I’m laying down an idol. I’m sharing an UGLY sin with you… I am discontent. I am discontent & therefore I fill that void with STUFF, with shopping, with pointless things that may be cute but don’t REALLY matter. JESUS matters. Being content with the stuff I already have, with who I am, THAT’S what matters. I have to stop trying to fill a void with shopping that only Jesus can fill.
“And He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance, does his life consist of his possessions.'” Luke 12:15
I’ve loved going through the #simplify2014 series with Emily Ley. I am being CHALLENGING and it’s been amazing. And I’ve realized that my definition of simplicity is being present and CONTENT with my life. All of my life. I want to take things back to the basics. I want to be content with who I am, what I have and what my prioritize are in my life. I want to make life happen, and I can’t do that if I’m discontent. I can’t do that if I keep filling my head, my heart and my house with STUFF that is so unnecessary!
So, friends, here I go. I’m starting the Contentment Challenge, effective January 1. Seems like a pretty great time to start doesn’t it? Near year, new goals, new outlook on life. I’d really like you to join me. Actually, I desperately WANT you to join me so that we can be on this ride together!!! I’m following the inspiration of Lara & Nancy … and pray I grow & learn & love Jesus even more (if that’s possible) at the end.
(This first little bit is a direct quote from Lara’s blog because it’s SO, SO good – I just had to share it word-for-word!!! ) “…let me preface it by saying this: this is not about rules. It’s about doing what God has been urging me to do. If He puts it on my heart to buy something for a good reason, I will do just that. Like Jesus healing people on the Sabbath, this is not about following guidelines just for the sake of guidelines. God is bigger than rules. It’s about fasting from something that I feel is keeping me from a deeper relationship and understanding of God’s heart.” Amen, right?! God doesn’t work in a box. He never has. So, although there are guidelines in this challenge, it’s not about black & white rules. If the Lord leads you to do something, DO IT. But don’t PRETEND He is just so you can do what you want. I need to stop making excuses and starting practically living the way I should. I’m doing this because I’ve come to realize that I’m allowing myself to be consumed in the materialistic. I’m not doing this because I’m in debt & need to stop spending; I’m doing this because my HEART needs to focus on what really matters, and “stuff” isn’t one of them.
…….
The Guidelines for #ContentmentChallenge: Jan, Feb, March 2014 (modified just a bit from both Nancy’s version and Lara’s version)
I am fasting from shopping. I do not need more STUFF. I am fasting from new clothes, accessories, household items and general “life” things. I am fasting so that I can focus on what really matters in my life (whatever that may be for each of you). I am fasting so that I can focus more on JESUS and less on my materistic purchases. I am laying my idol down at the cross & LEAVING IT THERE. I will RUN AWAY from temptation: from shopping, from the mall, from Target, from a really good sale, from whatever is it that takes away the place of Jesus in my life.
For the next 2 weeks, 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. For me, I had to get really specific with myself. I sat down and made a list of what I need to purchase before Jan 1 (ex: more foundation, tampons), and EXACTLY what I can & cannot purchase for the next 3 months. (You’ll laugh when you hear that my husband said I should only need two things: gas & tampons ‘cause he’ll buy all the food. Gesh, I love him, ha!) There are a few SMALL things I may need during the 3 month fast, so to keep myself accountable, I made a strict list. Matt is so supportive & I know it’s going to help me having him around to keep me in check. And, no, I’m not going to be legalistic with it; if the Lord puts something on my heart, I’ll follow His lead. BUT, I will pray, pray, pray before making ANY purchases not on this list!!
Here are a few examples from my list: NOT ALLOWED: “extra” food/beverage spending (no Starbucks-cravings or Diet Dr. Pepper’s at the gas station), “stuff” from Target or any other store (clothes, décor, accessories, makeup, etc.) ALLOWED: necessary food, gas, dog food, gum, medicine that may be necessary and necessary business expenses (I don’t NEED any more washi tape, ribbon or notecards. We have decided I DO need a camera, so if we find a good deal, I will allow myself to purchase it. And I will still have client dates at Starbucks, etc.)
Choose 1-3 inspiring books to read during this time. Nancy recommended: Seven, Weird, The Celebration of Discipline, 1000 Gifts, Kisses from Katie. Lara recommended: Seven, Interrupted, the Bible, Radical and Not a Fan. I think I’m going to pick up 1000 Gifts before the challenge starts so I can read my way through it; and I want to STUDY my way through Luke, not just READ it.
Gifts are okay! If someone gives you a new dress or piece of decor during that 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. I have to be REALLY careful about this one. Meaning, shopping in GENERAL (whether for myself or someone else) is hard for me. Therefore, I REALLY need to limit myself, even in gift-giving. It’s not at all because gift-giving is bad; but since I’m trying to fast from all excess spending, I need to be careful here. So Matt’s my accountability in this. Example: Baby Showers? We’ll go to Target together, so I don’t go crazy in the baby section.
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.” I know I’m going to have to really watch myself with this one. I don’t NEED another pair of shoes even though their super cute & on sale. Ugh. SO HARD, RIGHT?! To get rid of temptation, I’m not going to carry around ANY credit cards. I’m only going to carry my debit card, and since Matt and I have a joint checking, he’ll see what I do and help me stay strong:)
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. For me, this will be wholeheartedly focusing on Jesus, my marriage, my relationships, my business and my heart (remember my priorities from #simplify2014 ?!). I will focus on free movie nights from our own collection, and on craft nights from my already-plenitful supply; I will focus on lazy Saturday mornings, on training for the 10k and, most importantly, on PRAYING when I find it near impossible not to buy/spend.
…….
Alright friends. There it is. The #ContentmentChallenge.
I promise to post updates throughout the next three months. I promise to cry out to you when I need encouragement, when I don’t think I can do it. Will you hold me accountable? Daresay, will you JOIN me??
(Pray about it. Don’t make a rash decision. This is a BIG deal. And it WILL be hard! But, if you choose to do it, shoot me an email or comment on this post; I’m going to start a Facebook group for anyone who want’s to join. We can uplift & encourage each other – and even vent when it seems too hard!)
“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” Philippians 4:11-12
xo, kat
(( Photo credit: Pinterest ))
