More Than Enough

As a continuation from my last post, I thought I would let you in on another little project that I am working on this year. No one knows about it yet. Not my husband, not my mother, not any of the ladies in my Bible study group. It's something I thought about and prayed about for several weeks before I came to a decision in early December.

Ready for it? I know, I know, the suspense is killing you!

Awhile back, I read about a woman who had made the decision to give up purchasing new clothes for herself for an entire year. This idea really stuck with me, and though I have read and heard much about the various things that people give up in their lives for one reason or another, this one seemed to call my name. It was like I was being told that I needed to make this sacrifice too. Therefore, I decided to make the commitment that for the entire year of 2011, I would purchase no clothing for myself. My only exception to this is undergarments, ie: bras, underwear, and socks. Nothing fancy, just whatever gets worn out and needs to be replaced as the year proceeds.

Now, I don't want you to get me wrong -- it's not like I'm this huge clothes horse or closet junkie or label monger or anything of the sort. Yes, I appreciate clothes that look good and flatter me, but I'm definitely not above buying gently used, normally sky-high expensive jeans on eBay if I can find the right size and style. Typically, I'm the queen of good deals.

But the idea still stuck with me that maybe I still hadn't really gotten it that I already had everything that I needed -- way more, in fact, than a girl really ever needs. Every time I get ready to go out for a lunch date with a girlfriend, or a night out with my hubby, I pick an outfit from the same set of clothing time after time -- and I realize that I have way more clothes than I need. Of course you have enough clothes!, a voice inside me screamed.

Two days ago my son and I went on a major grocery excursion to Wal-mart. Even the cupboards were pretty empty of the various canned goods I usually keep on hand for emergencies. It was time to do some major restocking.

I will tell you, it was every bit as hard as I thought it might be to stop myself from automatically throwing items of clothing into the cart as I walked through the store, back towards the dairy section. Oh, that's such a cute coat! And so well priced! I would think as I scanned the Women's clothing. It's so cold right now, surely I can justify that purchase! Ummm...wrong! No new clothes! Not for the rest of this year!

Now, you might be reading this and thinking how very stupid this might all sound, but to me, it's a very real "experiment" on my values, my psyche, my heart, and soul.

I am happy to that we are officially 42 days into the New Year and that I have not purchased any clothing for myself. At the same time, this is the first time that I have taken the time to write about it and make it public. I guess that would have to do with the fear of commitment of it. Like, if I actually spend some real time blogging about this and reflecting on my feelings about it and the implications, then that really commits me. If I don't, then it's just something that I was mulling over at one point but never really took to total fruition. The problem, however, is that I really feel this pull to do this thing.

I know this is going to sound really, really stupid, and incredibly spoiled to some people, but the thought of not getting a single item of new clothing for an entire year is actually pretty scary to me. And not because I feel like I need to have new clothes all the time, but rather, because it is just so darn easy in this society to get them, and I'm actually more scared that I will be at Walmart or Target purchasing groceries and home goods, see a cute pair of jeans on sale that actually fit, and just totally forget about my clothes fast and buy them on the spot. It's truly just too easy to buy clothes in my world these days.

That is probably the exact reason why I need to do this.

I need to lose the taken for granted attitude that I have started to have about clothes, as well as other things, in my life. How easy they are to get, how simple it is to replace them. I need to remember that it's not nearly that easy for many people. I need to appreciate everything I already have, because God certainly knows, it's more than enough.

Many blessings to you and yours, Kristina

Location:Union St,Clarksville,United States

Purging of the "Too Much"

Purging.  That's what's on the the agenda today.  No, not of food.  That's one area of my life where I'm actually doing pretty well, living pretty healthy -- thank you, God!  No, this is a purging of things.  Things have multiplied to the point where I can't open the linen closet in our bathroom and find anything I need without a plethora of objects crashing down all around me.  Soap, shampoo, shampoo samples, lotions, toothpaste, various kinds of hair products, all partially used, and the list goes on and on and on.

I really have no one I can blame it on but myself.  It would be so easy to blame it on my husband and son, but if I really look at it, the vast majority of the "stuff" is mine.  And I am sick and tired of looking at it, rummaging around it, and having it take up space -- especially the stuff that we don't even use.  Time to get rid of it -- throw it away if it's no good, recycle it if possible, donate it if I can, give it to someone who can and will use it.  Basically, if I'm not using it, and there's not a spot for it where it can be easily stored and accessed, it's going to have to go!

This isn't just a spring cleaning thing.  Yes, it will feel so good to have things cleaned out, organized, and pared down (and my husband will probably jump for joy that I've finally tackled this project).  However, this goes much deeper.  It's going down into my health -- physically, mentally, and spiritually.  And I don't care what anyone says -- you just can't be totally healthy in all of these areas with a bunch of junk surrounding you.  At least I know I can't.

This is a process I started months ago.  It probably started with going to Bible study every week last summer, something that I have continued to do with each new "semester".  I began to realize that I really needed to get my heart right about some things.  Then, I started working out 5-6 days and week as a part of getting my body healthy.  Now, organizing the house, getting rid of what needs getting rid of, and even starting this blog are all a part of getting myself mentally healthy. 

For me, it's all about taking a proactive approach to all aspects of my health.  Today, a big part of it is purging the physical things in our home that just don't have a place anymore.

I must be off now to continue this project I have started...wish me luck!

As always, until next time...many blessings to you and yours, Kristina

Introductions, please!

I guess the best way to start off a blog is to take a moment to introduce myself, explain who I am, and what I hope to do with this blog.

Currently, I have been blessed to be a stay-at-home mom with a two-and-a-half year old son and a wonderful, loving husband.  We live in downtown Clarksville in one of the historic neighborhoods.  Three years ago, we bought and restored our 1835-built home.  I have to say -- there was a time when you never would have gotten me to live in a house so old -- but I absolutely LOVE it!

In my "free" time, when I'm not cleaning, doing laundry, or grocery shopping, I spend a lot of time volunteering as a Co-chair on the Parent Advisory Committee at my son's preschool.  I am also the Secretary on the Preschool Board.  (I'm sure you are wondering what on Earth a preschool could need a board for -- I mean, what could we possibly do, right???  Wrong!  We are busier than I could ever imagine supporting the Director in her duties, as well as making recommendations and decisions on things such as budgetary concerns, staffing issues, and even building maintenance issues from time to time!  It can get crazy, but helping to serve in my son's school makes it all worth it.)

I also attend a Women's Bible study group on a weekly basis, and try to make it to church services every Sunday.  Both of those things have proven to be life-altering in my views of living, and I hope to shed some insight on the hows and the whys throughout this blog.

This is my first attempt at a blog, so please bear with me.  I have to admit I have been mulling the idea around in my head for two years now (I can even prove that -- I have a whole folder on my computer entitled "Blog" that dates back to February of 2009 that contains ideas, thoughts, and possibilities to include in my blog, should one ever come to pass.)

I have no crazy ideas that I am going to have some huge audience of readers that just can't wait to read my next post (though, if that ever happens, I would be eternally grateful).  If all this blog ever does is to help me journal, organize and record my thoughts and moments worth remembering, that will be more than enough for me.

Right now I need to go sneak in a quick treadmill workout before heading off to pick up my sweet boy from school.  (I can't wait to hear what brilliant new thing he comes up with to make me laugh out loud today!)

Let me finish this post with a short disclaimer:  If you do happen to read this blog, please don't ever get the idea that I am trying to force any of my ideas or beliefs onto anyone else.  These are the things that I believe, as I make my journey through life.  And sometimes, I may change my mind about things.  This is my blog, so I'm allowed to do that!  ;)  If I can ever make a point or a revelation that helps someone else come to a new conclusion in their own life, then I count that as a blessing.  We are all here on this planet together, trying to take care of our families, pay our bills, get along, be happy and healthy, and hopefully have a little fun along the way.

Until next time...many blessings to you and yours, Kristina