Tip: Thankfulness
I am living in a season of abundance. Officially in the third trimester of pregnancy, and on the brink of moving into a 2,700 square foot home, I find myself consuming and acquiring more than ever before. It's fascinating to me - one who shouts the merits of simplicity from the roof-tops. It makes me question my credo - and/ my commitment to it!
Which is a good thing, I think. To question my choices. Not to the point of second guessing every decision ever made, but rather as a tool to check in with my motives. Right now my motives merge with nesting - and not just for the nursery but for all things in the new household! I want everything just so - prior to baby arriving... because once she comes, something tells me I'll be a bit too busy to think about decor.
But I have to tell you, I never thought I'd spend so much time window shopping window treatments. That's all I'm going to say about that.
And don't get me started on the registry. I have culled and honed and curated that sucker more times than I'm proud to admit. But the more I research, and the more simple, stylish mothers I talk to, the more I learn! So I switch items out, I delete items... and I add. I do believe that's all part of the Power of Pause and the Art of Conscious Consumption. It will definitely be worth it in the long run - because it definitely lessens the unnecessary items that will enter our abode - but man, mama is shopping. (More about the registry in a future blog!)
So, in this season of abundance, I like to ground myself by using thankfulness. Our loved ones are showering us with love and necessities in preparation for this little one. The generosity is rather overwhelming. And YET, I am still capable of spinning into lists of what else I 'think' we need right now. For the new house OR for the new baby.
ALL THAT TO SAY, here's how I use thankfulness when the spinning begins: I walk around our home, and look at all we already have. (This also works wonders when wanting to purchase new clothes -- take a gander inside your closet, and inside EVERY dresser drawer. Look at all of it. How often do we forget the wonderful pieces that we haven't worn in a few weeks?) When I look upon all that we already own, I am immediately thankful. I am no longer left wanting for more. Life becomes more serene. And that list of items that I'd created that would make the new house 'just so' -- it can wait for another day.
