Day 11: Enough vs. excess and my version of retail therapy.

Enough can be like an elastic waistband. It seems to stretch with more and more and still feels comfortable..even after a line has been crossed and what was good enough has become excess. 

And that's the message our society is shouting. 

You don't have enough, you need more. 
Anything you desire, you can and should have. 

Sadly, there are times I have bought into that message. I have tuned into the clamor, nodded my head in agreement, felt the discontent arise and let myself fantasize about the full-price retail life. 

But ya know what I've been finding? When I'm not willing to wait, save, and evaluate my level of need, the things that so persistently call my name come home and sit on my shelf or in my closet. Maybe I wear it once, use it a few times. Then it joins the I-was-wanted-then-she-got-bored-with-me club. Also, full price just isn't as fun- for my wallet or for my thrifty self. I spend more than I should and walk out with something every third person owns. 

So I'm practicing enough in a practical way. 

Maybe you can practice with me. Before hitting Target or Anthropologie for some retail therapy, I ask myself:

•  Do I want to shop because there's something specifically that I need? Or am I just bored with what I have? If it's simply boredom, maybe it's time to do an inventory of what I have. Maybe there's something sitting in the back of that closet, neglected and waiting to be rediscovered. Maybe it'll save me from a potential financial hangover. 
• Does it need to be brand new? Sometimes the craving comes from the desire for variety, for something new to me. In this case, it's time for some thrift shopping! Shopping second hand can mean finding a whole outfit (accessories included) for the price of one t-shirt. And bonus, you won't even accidentally match anyone. It's the joy of new for half the price of retail. Not to mention, NOTHING beats the thrill of scoring that name brand treasure for a fraction of the price. Well okay, maybe the success stories afterward. 
• Do I need it now? Sometimes just waiting a while helps me distinguish between bad day impulsivity and a real need. Also, if I'm willing to wait a few weeks, I typically find what I'm looking for (or something real close) on sale or on clearance. Be patient! Avoid full price. Anyone can go out and immediately buy what marketing says they deserve to have. Strategic shoppers do their homework and aren't disappointed. 
• Am I willing to let go of something in order to get something new? For the record, this idea came from my very creative and very rational husband who took a look at my overstuffed closet (bless him). For every new item I bring home, I let go of something I no longer need. Sometimes it's hard. Actually, it's pretty much just hard for the 10 minutes it takes to choose what to get rid of. After it's in the donate box, it leaves my mind and I'm better for it. In fact, while I'm at it sometimes I get rid of 2, 3, even 4 things. I never miss them and life feels immediately simpler. 

Abundance is not the same as excess. Abundance refers to a lavish gift. Excess is the overdose of plenty. 

Our God is a God of abundance. 

This concludes our field trip into my closet. Let's keep learning about enough together.