“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Felllowship Of The Rings
Sometimes it feels like I’m wishing my life away by always looking forward to the weekend, to the end of the workday, to the vacation or day trip. And then I remember that having something to look forward to is an important key to happiness. And then I remember that looking forward to something we enjoy is not the same as wishing away what we have right now.
I like my job and don’t mind my work day. I like doing chores at home when time allows. I even like running errands that others don’t enjoy, including grocery shopping. For the most part, I’m satisfied about everywhere I am.
So, I guess what I have decided to do with my time is just make the best of it.
If you read the headline in the voice of the rock band Chicago, we are kindred spirits. Their 1969 song “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” has been on my mind lately.
While my work life revolves heavily around the clock, I want my personal life to be less centered on the time and more on how I feel. Feeling like we answer to the clock 24/7 is exhausting.
So I was delighted yesterday when I realized I had no idea the time, nor did I care.
This feels like a sign of success to me. To be unaware, uninterested and blatantly disengaged from the clock means that we are so busy living life that we forget to note time passing as we do it.
When do you check the time most? When you are doing something you don’t enjoy, right? You check the clock at work, from the treadmill, during a boring meeting. In these situations you are likely monitoring the passing time and willing it to move more quickly. This isn’t the case when you’re having fun or satisfied with your current circumstances.
Yesterday was a standard Sunday at home beginning with CBS Sunday Morning followed by light chores that will make my life easier this week. I have written about this kind of day as a self care day and you can find that story here.
This was hardly a fun day but I was content.
Isn’t that what it’s all about? Being so content with our lives that we can’t imagine doing anything other than what’s that’s in front of us right now is a true gift.
Even after all these years of doing an annual No Spend Challenge, I have to occasionally remind myself why I do what I do. It requires checking in with my habits and employing my 2024 word of the year. In other words, I REJUVINATE the why and the commitment behind my temporary no spending habits.
If you’re not familiar with my No Spend Challenge, you can click here to read a recent story and here’s the story about my word of the year.
The fact something is important to us doesn’t mean we can take our commitment for granted. We all sometimes need a boost to keep us on the right path. So far, this month has gone pretty well.
All bills are paid.
Groceries have been purchased.
Things that are important to me are taken care of.
No shopping for entertainment.
Eating out has been avoided as much as possible.
In case you’re struggling with your challenge and think I’m bragging about being perfect, let’s take a deep dive into what I’m saying here.
Groceries – I keep my pantry and freezer stocked well enough that I never have to go to the store. This week, I needed specific ingredients for a special meal and I stopped at the store to grab a few needs that were accompanied by some frozen food deals outside my regular grocery shopping. I didn’t need them right now but stashing them away for cheap now means I don’t have to buy them for full price later. Why is that important? Those dollars saved will mean gas in the tank for a daytrip this summer!
Things that are important are taken care of – This is vague, isn’t it? When I went to pick up a rental car last week because mine lost the contest against the deer, they required a cash deposit. This was a need and it was important. I’m gathering items to donate to a thrift store with a cause I support and plan to give them some cash while I’m there. This isn’t necessary but it’s important to me.
Entertainment shopping – This one is the hardest for me because I truly enjoy shopping even when I’m not buying. Antique malls, thrift shops and TJ Maxx all call my name. I don’t think I’ve bought a single thing in a store other than groceries since late December with one exception. I was in downtown Chillicothe Friday night. I long ago made a pact with myself that anytime I’m close to Wheatberry Books I will stop and make a purchase. Even if it’s small, I want to support having a bookseller nearby. This probably aligns more closely with taking care of important things. I gave myself a budget for one book but panicked when I got inside and bought two. Imperfect but that’s ok. Supporting a small business I like is important to me.
Eating out – This one is tricky. Technically, I have paid for one fast food meal. That was the day I picked up the rental car at lunch and really didn’t want to wait to eat at home. Nine bucks on a fish sandwich, fries and drink. However, I have actually eaten in restaurants two other times when other people were buying. One was a work lunch and it was a fluke that I didn’t have to pay. Also, I went into this challenge planning to buy a meal out with a friend. However, my handsome fella went with me to meet my friend and insisted on buying. He’s such a gentleman. Otherwise, my tally would ordinarily be much higher. Also, I bought a bottle of water one day because my water bottle was in my banged up car.
There are things not reflected in the bottom line. For example, I spent a lot of Sunday fighting off the temptation to go antiquing because I was just “in the mood” to go see what was out there. So I spent a lot of that day cleaning in my craft room. This is the place where all my extra home decor, craft supplies and every other random thing gets shuffled around like deck chairs on the Titanic. Truly, the room is awful and is tangible, undeniable proof of bad decisions made over the years. Nothing makes you want to not shop like facing a pile of stuff you have bought.
I gathered up about 80 things from this room to give away. There’s a large stack of boxes to recycle and a bag of trash to go out. This went a long way toward scratching that itch to treasure hunt outside my home.
The point of all this is to say that, even after all these years, I still need gentle reminders that I do this challenge for a reason and that the reason is controlling bad habits and cultivating better ones that will serve me. It seems I would have learned the lesson after all these years of repetition. You know something? That’s ok. I am only human after all and sometimes humans need reminding that what’s easy or what we want right now may not be the thing we need or want for the long distance.
A little rejuvenation goes a long way!
Who’s doing a No Spend Challenge? Comment and tell me all about it!
It’s Monday. For many of us, those two words mean just one thing: there are five days to survive to get to the weekend.
It’s like we’re wishing our lives away.
I’m certainly guilty of this. The workweek can be busy and tiring. I like my job but have a rich and fulfilling life outside of work and look forward to living it.
This week I’m committed to focusing on appreciating each day – even the long and frustrating ones. After all, we aren’t given many days in this lifetime and it’s best to not squander them wishing for another.
So, friends, I wish you the very best this day and the rest to come. Happy Monday!
Anticipation is one of my personal keys to happiness. No matter what, it’s important to always have something to look forward to. Luckily, that something doesn’t have to be big.
Sure, it’s amazing having an exciting trip to anticipate. Yet, it’s just as effective to look forward to browsing at the library or settling in on the couch with some popcorn and a movie this weekend.
I suppose this is why I like to plan as much as I do. I looked forward to my trip to see the Franklin Park lights starting the minute we scheduled it. Today I’m looking forward to a much needed tune up at the chiropractor. I lead such a glamorous life!
It is much healthier to dwell on the good in life so I’m always looking for ways to be more satisfied with what I have and to be generally more happy.
I’m also anticipating the start of my No Spend Challenge. Officially, it begins on New Year’s Day but I’m thinking Friday would be a great kick off day.
I have enjoyed months of excess – holiday shopping, eating out, travel and fun have again defined this year. At least the good has tied with the bad – the thyroid issue – for top billing.
I crave the quiet of winter and the calm that comes from a No Spend Challenge. Consequently, I’m excited to get started.
When I do this, I focus more on self care and relaxation. I go to bed early and cook nourishing foods. I read more and cozy up with a soft blanket more often. I am kinder to myself during a No Spend Month than any other time of the year. That doesn’t mean I don’t do anything. Part of this month involves decluttering, getting organized, picking up old hobbies or even trying something new.
If I adventure out of the house, it will likely be a cold Saturday hike on the way to the grocery store or maybe a morning getting lost at the library. But don’t worry. Adventure season will be here in a few months and I’ll be back at it sooner than you think!
It is incredible how full and beautiful life can be when you focus on appreciating what’s before you at home rather than constantly running around seeking more.
Stay tuned. I’ll write another day about my own No Spend Challenge rules and my perspective on what it really means. I was kind of surprised that this will be my sixth year in a row and I’ll tell you about how it all has evolved since that first year.
It wasn’t always so easy and I have never before anticipated January so eagerly as I do now. Just a couple more days of commitments and vacation fun and I’ll get started!
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
