Buy less things. Focus on the intangible. Give more.

I spend lots of time attempting to "get my life together."  I make lots of lists and fun little printables of everything I think I should be doing or improving.  I tend to make way too many insignificant goals instead of focusing on a few that are actually valuable.  So this year, instead of making a laundry list of "goals," I am making just a few real meaningful, achievable goals.  Of course, I am always going to have goals of being healthier, wealthier, less stressed, and more organized but I feel like those are just more along the lines of things I can improve upon instead of my actual goal.  And if I really stick to this goal, I feel like the others will fall into place.  Does that make sense at all?  No?  I feel like I am rambling...

Buy less things. Focus on the intangible. Give more. 

I buy waaaaaay too much stuff.  I buy too many clothes, too many books, too many treats. I buy my kids way more than they could ever need and then get stressed and frustrated that the playroom and closets are overflowing and that they are spoiled and unappreciative.  I spend too much on wants instead of just appreciating what all we have and actually need. I have gotten so much better at this over the years but I am really going to try and do even better this year.

One way I plan to achieve this is way less shopping!  I have more than I could ever need.  I don't need a new dress for every special event and my kids don't need 25 spring outfits.  Kids grow so I am sure we may have to buy a few pair of shoes and pants but my goal is really focusing on all the "extras" and getting so much.  I don't need more picture frames and decor.  Sure it would be nice to decorate the house a little bit more but it's functional and comfortable just the way it is now.  I don't need more tshirts or exercise clothes.  Mine are just fine.  I don't need 25 different kinds of makeup and two drawers full of hair products.  When mine run out and I actually need it, I will buy some more then.

However, I will buy trips to the movies.  I will buy tickets to concerts.  I will buy trips to the zoo and nights away from home.  I want to focus on the intangible things that I can give my kids.  Fun times and great memories.  When they grow up, they won't remember their Barbie dolls and frilly dresses.  But they will remember running with their mom and playing with their Dad. They will remember seeing new things and smiling with their family. I want to free up my money that I spend on stuff and give them more of those memorial moments.

Most of all, I want to give more.  I want to give more time, more energy, and more money to others.  I want to give others more than I give myself.  It has taken me so many years to finally get over my selfishness and really realize that my resources are not my own.  God gave them to me to further his kingdom, not to buy 8 more pairs of blue jeans and fancy little signs to hang on my walls.

It's going to take some real self-denying and some true discipline to learn to say no more and honestly, it will probably be a bit of a learning curve on this whole process but I am going to strive my best to do better.

Okay I have rambled enough and I am still not sure if I even said what I was meaning but that's okay because I totally "get" my plan.  I am going to try and track every thing I buy too so I can hold myself accountable.  I am looking forward to this "challenge" and hope to see some great things coming our way from it all!