Living With No Extras
Do you ever catch yourself in the middle of something and you wonder “why am I doing this?”
I have totally been there. Call it what you want – mindless searching or mindless dreaming. You know what I’m talking about! You jump on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, or even your favorite website, and have this life-envy for just those few minutes. An envy that is brought to you by “extras.” Or maybe it’s not even envy, but just a step out of reality into la-la land. Dreaming what it would be like to have 1 million dollars and an immaculate house, wardrobe, and really, life.
I hem and haw about getting rid of my social media accounts because I have a love-hate relationship with them. And yes, I realize I am in 100% control over them. And yes, I realize I am a blogger. A facet of social media. But I think often times, we can feel like outside influences, like social media, can have control over us. It may make you laugh reading that, but let me ask, how many times a day do you pick up your phone, your ipad, your computer, etc., to “check” something? 9 times out of 10, it probably does not stay just a “checking” session, but a “scrolling” session. Am I right?
I have found though for me personally, it’s when I’m looking at how others live, I find myself filling my life with extras. Extra things I truly do not need in it. Let me explain.
How often have you heard of a friend or acquaintance buy something and think “oh, I should buy that too?” Truly think about that. Whether you see someone where a style you like, see decor in a home you like, or simply try a recipe that they loved, you have “added an extra.” It is something that you have added to your life that was not there before.
I DO IT ALL THE TIME. Granted I am not a big shopper and never have been. When it comes to my clothes, just give me a brand that fits and I’ll buy it all, typically online. When it comes to Mazy’s clothes, I am all about second-hand. Okay, it’s fun to get something new sometimes, but rarely will she have something new in her drawers simply because it’s a way we save money, but then I also don’t care if she ruins it! I’d rather have her run around in mud and stain those knees, than not have fun at all. Amen?
Forget about the material possessions. How many extras do we add to our minds? How many of us see someone and think “oh, I should look like that…I need to go home and run.” Okay, maybe not that extreme. But we may see someone’s hair and want the same cut. We see someone’s “you fill in the blank” and want the same thing. We tell ourselves that we “need” something and then our minds become discontent. We fill our minds with these extras and before we know it, we are unsatisfied, discontented people. Unhappy about everything.
That is why I am really trying to work on not filling my life with those “extras.” What would my life look like then? Well, I would have more time to do the things I WANT to do, instead of feeling the “need” to do them. I would have more time with my family. I would have more time for myself. I would have more time with God. Truthfully. When I clear my mind of the extras, I make more room for God, my family, and myself. Now doesn’t that sound like an awesome life?
And it’s right at our fingertips, folks!
Time to live life more in moderation and not with extras and excess. Check your facebook account. But just “check” it. Try a new recipe, but don’t try to be the next Pioneer Woman. Trust me there will only ever be one! Buy a new shirt, but don’t try to look like someone.
JUST BE YOU. BEAUTIFUL YOU.
