Vacation Notes
Dear Friends,
I read this book over vacation called “7” by Jen Hatmaker. And it basically ruined my life…in the best way ever, but still. The chapters of that book made me ask really hard, uncomfortable questions. It made me question the way I approach life, the way I approach my ministry and the way I live the 1 life I have to offer. I should dial my dramatics back and be honest that Jen Hatmaker did not ruin my life but she did challenge it. The whole premise of 7 challenges the excess we all have in our life in the following areas
1. Shopping
2. Food
3. Waste
4. Media
5. Possessions
6. Clothes
7. Stress
I picked the book up because we all know I have an excess of stress in my life and my body is revolting against it. I really didn’t expect to get a whole lot from the other chapters because stress is my issue, it’s my punch in the gut, the rest should be supes easy.
And then I read the book. I laughed out loud every stinking chapter. She gave me hope in so many ways. She challenged my thinking, my definition of “excess” and you know what I realized. Stress wasn’t my only problem – its a leading problem and I had to read that chapter twice…but I can’t ignore the other areas.
So of course I’m reading this book and like “I have to change all my things and all my life and all the alls right away!”. And then I came home and told everyone about the book. Most ran away. Some covered their ears. Two of them bought the book. And then I hid my book – literally hid it so I didn’t have to deal with all that gold I had read just 2 days prior! What the what!?
I can’t avoid it anymore though. This week has been one of realizing that things HAVE to change and that change has to be initiated by me if it’s for me.
So I’m adopting my first part of 7 in September – a spending freeze.
Why a spending freeze?
1. I spend way too much money on nothing. Absolutely nothing.
2. It’s an easy way to guard my time and take stress off my plate. “Oh sorry sure can’t go to that awesome event I don’t want to go to in the first place b/c I’m not spending money this month.” or “Ya totally love you but I’m at my cap for human interaction and I can’t spend money right now so I’ll have to take that rain check” or “yes I want to spend time with you, come drink hot tea on my back porch and look at these pretty trees with me.”
Yes I know this will suck. I love to spend money. I think sonic ice is a need not a want. The cutest baby is going to be born this month and he’ll need the perfect little outfit (don’t worry Archer I have 3 days to go buy it lol … call it cheating it you must … I call it planning ahead. Also…don’t worry Olivia I have a starbucks gift card so I’ll bring you post labor coffee and it won’t break the rules). Yes, I’m aware that it’s event month and that cooking at home will be the last thing I want to, planning ahead to pack my lunch instead of buy it will feel like a chore but….at the end of the month I’ll know that I hit a goal, I can buy Christmas presents for my little babies without wanting to throw up at the cost, I can feel healthier by fueling my body correctly and I will have fought for space to rest and recharge weekly.
The following are things that I can/will spend money on:
1. Bills – I gotta keep the lights on folks
2. Farmer’s Market and the outer edges of grocery stores. Give me all the veggies and all the protein.
3. Work related purchases. They can’t be punished for my crazy.
4. Gas. Because there is no way I’m walking to work. No way.
I’ll keep you updated on how it goes. In theory it should be so fun and so easy. But I know myself and I know how many times I drive past that $.36 cup of ice water with lemon from Sonic.
I’m off to go spend all my money in the next 3 days! (I kid I kid)
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