While perusing the Table of Contents in a personal finance book, I came across a chapter entitled, "It's never just about the money". I knew immediately what the author meant, and started to consider the "things" that occupy my thoughts. What is it that I believe these things promise? What do I really desire from them?
For me, the things that I want to buy with money seem to promise comfort, in my mind. Maybe they will make me feel warm + cozy...and what I ultimately think love and acceptance and being cherished feel like. I crave comforting things like candles, tea, cake, and thick cashmere at this time of year. A big, soft, enveloping cardigan would make me feel safe and held.
I'm also a very visual person and seeing what is pleasing to the eye...pleases me and makes me feel a little glow inside. It's all about warm white + clutter free spaces, but I like it to feel cohesive and purposeful (not just like things were removed). I'm dreaming about pale whitewashed flooring to replace matted carpet + darker flooring at the moment. I want to remove all the stuff on the open shelves and to replace it with a curated, earthy ceramics collection. I imagine that these surroundings would feel calm + open and like I'm being embraced with comfort, ease, lightness and value.
I can actually redefine all of this into beautiful minimalism...which means that more things are not the answer. Less is actually my goal. I want a small home with solar panels and a garden. I don't struggle with wanting a bigger home or a nicer car to prove my worth and success. I don't crave fancy jewelry or loads of clothing. Less is a relief...a harbor...a goal that makes me happier rather than wantier. Less is my choice and when I measure what I have against it, I find that I have in abundance. I have a few candles. I have tea. I have a warm, cozy sweater + a fluffy blanket too. Sometimes I even have a piece of cake. :) I have dry floors + a few lovely, small pieces of earthy pottery. I can save toward new flooring and solar panels too (if we decide to). I do not need to chase warm + cozy + comfort + ease. I have them. And acceptance + love + being cherished + value + lightness...well, those are best pursued through my spiritual life and my relationships with those around me. "Things" will never provide them.
Love,
Jane
For me, the things that I want to buy with money seem to promise comfort, in my mind. Maybe they will make me feel warm + cozy...and what I ultimately think love and acceptance and being cherished feel like. I crave comforting things like candles, tea, cake, and thick cashmere at this time of year. A big, soft, enveloping cardigan would make me feel safe and held.
I'm also a very visual person and seeing what is pleasing to the eye...pleases me and makes me feel a little glow inside. It's all about warm white + clutter free spaces, but I like it to feel cohesive and purposeful (not just like things were removed). I'm dreaming about pale whitewashed flooring to replace matted carpet + darker flooring at the moment. I want to remove all the stuff on the open shelves and to replace it with a curated, earthy ceramics collection. I imagine that these surroundings would feel calm + open and like I'm being embraced with comfort, ease, lightness and value.
I can actually redefine all of this into beautiful minimalism...which means that more things are not the answer. Less is actually my goal. I want a small home with solar panels and a garden. I don't struggle with wanting a bigger home or a nicer car to prove my worth and success. I don't crave fancy jewelry or loads of clothing. Less is a relief...a harbor...a goal that makes me happier rather than wantier. Less is my choice and when I measure what I have against it, I find that I have in abundance. I have a few candles. I have tea. I have a warm, cozy sweater + a fluffy blanket too. Sometimes I even have a piece of cake. :) I have dry floors + a few lovely, small pieces of earthy pottery. I can save toward new flooring and solar panels too (if we decide to). I do not need to chase warm + cozy + comfort + ease. I have them. And acceptance + love + being cherished + value + lightness...well, those are best pursued through my spiritual life and my relationships with those around me. "Things" will never provide them.
Love,
Jane
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