Fighting the Wants
The last few weekends I’ve traveled with my husband, and if you’re like me, when you travel, you pick up and read lots of magazines.
I do love to read magazines to get ideas, be inspired, dream … see what’s “new.”
As long as I don’t get caught up in the “wants.”
We walk into Pier 1 or Home Goods or TJ Maxx … it’s fun to browse, but do the “wants” come over you?
They do me.
Just one more set of dishes, cloth napkins, new picture on the wall, outdoor furniture, new pillows … another white bowl … beautiful table cloths … runners …
The list goes on and on for me.
“You are in the prison cell of “wants” if you feel better when you have more and worse when you have less,” says Max Lucado (inspirational writer).
“If your happiness comes from something you deposit, drive, drink or digest, then face it–you are in prison, the prison of want.”
Many times I’ve filled my basket, only to remove most of what I’ve added because I ask myself, “Do I really need this?”
Learning to be content. I wrote about it, here.
Discontentment is really an ugly way to live.
I wish learning to be content was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it seems to be a lesson that we learn over and over again.
What will I have from being content and not always “wanting more?”A deeper marriage, more time with the family, valuing “who’s coming for dinner” over “how it all looks when they come for dinner,” joy and peace. And self-respect when I learn to say no.
It just feels good to have some sort of self-discipline.
Gratitude.
Contentment.
Do you have a hard time saying no to your wants, or how do you keep them under control?
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I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Ugh! Your timing couldn’t have been better! With a toddler in the house and a baby on the way we’re feeling the squeeze and wanting more space and struggling to decide if we NEED to really move up into something bigger or if it’s simply a WANT—–and of course the day to day wants, wanting to switch out decor in a room, wanting a little getaway, wanting a cute top even though I have a million that I don’t wear. Ugh.
When I can get rational I know I focus on wants too much, it’s easy to get caught up in all of the things I want and not realize how trivial they usually are.
My MIL has a saying of what difference will this make in 100 years and I often think about that. I struggle with the balance of pushing myself and being content with where I am. Great post Sandy!
The first thing I saw was the picture of the striped chair and thought, “I want to go there!” Yikes.
I struggle with the wants a lot. I read lots of home improvement blogs and if I’m not careful I can let my discontentment take over pretty easily. I can usually pacify myself with the knowledge that when we have a little more disposable income, thanks to pinterest and all the pins that I have pinned, I will be ready!
One thing I think that I am doing right though, is that I am teaching my kids the difference between wants and needs. My two year old even knows when he says, “I need that!” The next thing I am going to ask him is, “Is that a want or a need?” He is very good a deciphering all ready.
I find myself going there sometimes—the want store =)
I started a little something many years ago when I had small children that helped me with this.
“If something comes in something goes out.” I try to keep that rule. I try to have a plan as to avoid debt and living within my means….also always pay with cash…it hurts more that way. =)
Great post.
My biggest struggle with the “wants” is food. If I “want” something – chocolate, sweets, breads, I have a hard time resisting. Other than that, I stay away from the stores when I’m feeling I’m in need of some retail therapy. Of course, yesterday I spent the day thrifting and found all sorts of things I wanted.
My best defense for the Wants is to stay out of the stores. I don’t visit many online places to buy either so that helps. I need to shuffle stuff out instead of bringing more in.
Darla
Bingo! This post could have been written by me! I find that I say the same thing “I love this, but do I NEED this. Most often the answer is no, I don’t, but I have to admit, my weakness is shopping for the outdoors and garden. I find it really hard to say No, but I do!
I think I struggle with “the wants” more than anything. Our budget is small enough that most of my wants must be curbed, but that desire is still there. It’s definitely an ongoing process.
Wait. I simply wait before buying most things because I hate wasting money, building up clutter, and having to move it every few years. We also have a budget which helps me not to have impulse buys. If I find I’m getting to “want-y,” I sometimes have to stop putting those things before my eyes until I can get the right perspective again.
oooh this is hard one for sure! particularly when I’m trying to balance furnishing a home for the first time :) i’ve learned to take a few weeks after i’ve ‘wanted’ something to see if I still want it and if we really need it. a new ottoman for the living room? our current situation is working just fine :) some backyard furniture so we can entertain and a grill for outdoor cooking which we will enjoy and use all the time, particularly with company? – that’s probably going to happen soon.
great reminder :)