Collect Memories, Not Things

 

I have been thinking a lot about this lately, because there are times I see people buy things and I feel a little envious. Then I remember, I don't even like a lot of clutter, so why would I want all that stuff?

I had to laugh today. I needed to recharge and have a me day. I decided to go shopping in Springfield. 2 times today, I saw the quote, "Collect memories, not things". The irony? The quotes were written on "things" for sale. I saw it on a small wooden desk sign at Michael's and on a travel mug at Cracker Barrel. 

I went to 7 stores and did a lot of  "window shopping". I see a lot of cute things, but I usually ask myself how much I really love it? Will it get used?  Is it a good use of my money? I'd say 85% of the time this prevents me from making a poor decision. Some days a girl just needs some really good retail therapy though and I'll buy things I don't end up using, and then regretting it. Today, my one and only retail purchase was a pair of capris from a resale shop that I paid $7.50 for.

Sure, I used up some gas...but I also filled up for 25 cents less a gallon in Springfield as well, so there's a win. With all of my wandering, I made my own self a bit hangry. I have been craving Cracker Barrel for weeks, and just the thought of it was making my mouth water, so I took myself out to eat. Sometimes it's nice to eat alone. Although I wasn't really alone. I didn't pick the most quiet atmosphere, but the food was worth it.

I am learning that I much prefer creating memories, than having stuff.

Growing up I liked collecting things. Snow globes were my big thing. Most of them were just cheap plastic ones, but I had a few fancier ones that I loved. I'd collect rocks, shells, postcards and then I moved onto Precious Moments. At the time each one of those collections brought me happiness...but I get tired of things. Those rocks, shells, postcards and snow globes are all long gone (with the exception of 1 Christmas globe that I love). The Precious Moments are all sitting bubble wrapped in my garage, where they've sat for nearly 2 years, along with my curio cabinet that's collecting dust. I kept them because they brought me joy...but I didn't want them taking up space in my current home, so I decided to store them for a future home. Honestly though, I've started to consider parting ways with them because I'm not enjoying them. They're hidden away and taking up space. I'm not quite there yet though and that's okay. 

I don't own a ton of clothes...although it feels like it at times. I still have more than I need. Every few months I get agitated, and fill up a bag of stuff to donate. I hang on to some favorites, I have plenty. Shoes have never been that big of a deal. All I need are a few pair of shoes, boots and flip flops and I'm good. I think the most expensive shoes I own cost me $53.  I bargain hunt for apparel. 

I do LOVE home décor. Especially signs and seasonal decorations. That's my guilty pleasure. Once something stops bringing me as much joy, then I know it's time to let it go. Out with the old and in with the new. No sense in keeping things I don't really love.

I struggle with the boys stuff, and have to remind myself constantly that those are their belongings. I get overwhelmed seeing so much stuff crammed into their room, but they share a room, so it's to be expected. I do try to encourage them to get rid of things they don't use. It doesn't always work, but it's refreshing when it does. I hate little trinkets and try to limit what I buy them. Sometimes stocking stuffers and little holiday knick knack and Happy Meal toys drive me bonkers.

I limit the books I purchase because I don't want a thousands books around ( unless they're written by my favorite author. I have nearly all of her books including an autographed one from when I met her). I don't buy DVD's anymore. In fact I got rid of almost all of the ones I owned because, stuff. 

I don't stockpile things, because I feel like I have what I need and I don't need extra of something just because. It will just take up space and stress me out.

I LOVE collecting memories though. My favorite way is through pictures. I've owned a camera since I was 4 years old. I document just about everything and now with social media it's even more enjoyable for me. I love to share pictures and I look back through them extremely often. It may seem excessive to some, but to me they are worth it.

I love going on adventures. I would rather spend my money on an experience 9 times out of 10. Eating out, going to the zoo, taking the boys bowling, going to a baseball game, taking a road trip. Last year I went parasailing. Was it worth the $80? Heck yes it was. I like to be able to get a back massage when I'm hurting. I like to say, "Hey boys! Let's take a little road trip for the day!" and know that I have the money to do that because I didn't spend it on stuff I really didn't need.

Some of my favorite memories revolve around our Advent activities we do each December. My favorites last year were doing the Jingle Bell Walk through the park and our weekend getaway to St Louis. I'm not a huge souvenir person. I will usually pick up a few small things and I try to do that with the boys as well. In St. Louis they each got to pick out about $10 worth of souvenirs each . We have pictures to remember the important things!

When I went to Florida last year, I got myself a few little things. A sweatshirt because I knew I would get good use out of it, and a magnet. Plus a few other fun things. All have been used except my keychain. The only big souvenir I got was a dated Christmas ornament from Disney. I bought the boys' Disney gifts from knock off discount stores and guess what? They were thrilled. I also collected shells from the beach for them.

I would MUCH rather spend a few hundred to a couple thousand on a little getaway or a full blown vacation doing fun activities, rather than coming home with more stuff to find places for.

I'm already working on a little getaway idea for spring break with the boys and I'm looking forward to all of my fun experiences coming up on my Smokey Mountain trip!