I am thrilled to have a fellow Birmingham blogger and friend Jennifer as a guest blogger.
The Newlywed Diaries is one of the first blogs I read, even before I knew Jennifer. I have loved following along with her life from the changes to her house to the birth of her sweet girl. I am so excited to have her here today!
This series has really taken on new meaning in the last year, as we became parents and I left my full-time career to stay at home with our little girl. Dropping my income has been an adjustment, and the projects around our 1959 rancher have taken a backseat to oh, say DIAPERS. We are definitely learning to love the one we're with - for better or worse. Here are a few things that keep me in love with our imperfect - yet perfect for us - little home.
Learn to admire without the need to acquire. I can't take credit for this one; Erika wrote about hearing that phrase during a sermon a couple of years ago, and it still resonates with me. I'll admit that I like to shop, but have found that it can be just as fun to get out and about, look around, get ideas and go home without the anxiety that would come with spending money needlessly.
Keep a "have list," instead of a "wish list." Don't get me wrong, wish lists are great. Goals and priorities are important, but it can be so easy to get caught up in what you wish you had, that you lose appreciation for what you already have. It's hard, believe me. These days there is a design blog on every corner, and it seems that every minute there is something new to love on Pinterest.
I read once that comparison kills contentment, and find it to be more than true. I may wake up feeling completely content and happy, and one look at a friend's stinkin' fabulous new kitchen or something beautiful I've pinned, and suddenly, nothing I have is good enough. Sure, there are always improvements that we can make, but the truth is, when I look at what we have and have been blessed with without the but-everyone-else-has-more goggles, I am moved to tears. We have so much. And it is enough.
Thanks Marianne for having me, and for a great - and timely! - series.
Learn to admire without the need to acquire. I can't take credit for this one; Erika wrote about hearing that phrase during a sermon a couple of years ago, and it still resonates with me. I'll admit that I like to shop, but have found that it can be just as fun to get out and about, look around, get ideas and go home without the anxiety that would come with spending money needlessly.
Keep a "have list," instead of a "wish list." Don't get me wrong, wish lists are great. Goals and priorities are important, but it can be so easy to get caught up in what you wish you had, that you lose appreciation for what you already have. It's hard, believe me. These days there is a design blog on every corner, and it seems that every minute there is something new to love on Pinterest.
I read once that comparison kills contentment, and find it to be more than true. I may wake up feeling completely content and happy, and one look at a friend's stinkin' fabulous new kitchen or something beautiful I've pinned, and suddenly, nothing I have is good enough. Sure, there are always improvements that we can make, but the truth is, when I look at what we have and have been blessed with without the but-everyone-else-has-more goggles, I am moved to tears. We have so much. And it is enough.
Thanks Marianne for having me, and for a great - and timely! - series.
Thank you Jennifer! Wow, this was timely for me, I think I needed to read this more than anyone. I am going to memorize each of these points and take them to heart. What a great post, I am blown away!
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