"I'm learning to be satisfied without stuff..."

I've been thinking a lot lately. About a lot of things. Especially since I've been out on my own, my mind is constantly going. One thing that has been weighing on my mind in the past few days is money.

Money.

We all like money. We like what it can get us. We like when we find an extra twenty in a coat pocket. We like the fact that it buys us stuff.  

Stuff.

So, through my pondering of money, I got to thinking about stuff.

Now, I would be a total hypocrite if I started preaching to you about your stuff because I have as much or more stuff than anyone I know. And lately I haven't been too proud of that.

(You guard your stuff, girlfriend)

     Little did I know that when I moved into my own place in September that my stuff would take on a new meaning. For those of you who have bills to pay on your own, you know what I mean. Just the other day I was talking to Kelsey. I told her that I really wanted to get my nails done (just for vanity reasons) but that the money I would spend on nails could pay for a tank of gas. Never before did I feel that I had to choose between fabulosity and gasoline.

That was when my parents were paying. Sure, they would pay for it now if I asked them to, but I'm a big girl. Wearing my big girl panties.

 I have learned the value of five dollars. Heck, I've learned the value of one dollar. No, I don't have it hard. I'm not struggling. I live a comfortable life. But I have come to appreciate what I have. I am learning that maybe all this stuff isn't all it's cracked up to be.

So, you may be saying to yourself 'But, Julie, you're always showing us your stuff.' That came out wrong. You know what kind of stuff I mean, pervs! I guess what I'm saying is this. Yes, I show you my stuff (and will definitely continue to show you my stuff). But my world doesn't revolve around that stuff.

No, I've never been extremely preoccupied with getting things. I wasn't the bratty only-child that had to have it all, and I'm certainly not greedy. I will give you the shoes off my feet (it makes more sense for me to use shoes here than shirt). But when you're on your own, you learn the value of what you already have.

This past weekend when my bffs were here we went shopping. I said 'no' to so many things. I agonized over a five dollar candle at Bath and Body Works. I kept saying 'Do I need this, do I NEED this?' And then I put it back and walked out with nothing. And it felt good.

There was a conversation later that day between Lauren and I.

I was agonizing over a purchase.

Lauren made a comment that is was nice to have things and be able to buy things (not in a bratty way, though)

And then this was said....

J: I'm learning to be satisfied without stuff.

L: Julie, that was very profound.

It's true, though. I'm learning to be satisfied with my life without all the stuff.

 That may be a resolution for me. To declutter my life. Gosh, what would that feel like?

One step at a time, Juls.

(Images via google)

If you made it to the end of this post, thank you. I just needed this off my chest.

Love you all for being so wonderful to me :)