Do you know what I did this weekend? I painted the entry doors in my house a beautiful [if I do say so myself] shade of black [Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore].
I wiped down my peeling builder grade cabinets that always bear some splatter of jelly, dishwater, or coffee more than I care to clean. I scrubbed my kitchen chairs because Leo believes a little “magic sauce” aka syrup should grace all surfaces.
And I didn’t shop one single Black Friday deal. I didn’t Instagram 30 little stories encouraging you to “shop it now“, “get it before it’s gone” or persuading you to believe this one thing “is my favorite piece ever”. Honestly, I didn’t have the energy for the .88 cent commission on a Target sweater or the $8 commission on the thing-a-ma-jig at Anthropologie, a store I don’t even shop at!
Because Everyone Says I am…
Instead, I printed off new coloring pages for Aria. I helped Taylor and didn’t try to rush him along. I giggled with Leo and watched him lose his mind over trucks and Mickey and balls. And I missed Noah like crazy. While I was doing all of this, I wondered: am I made for more?
Because Rachel Hollis keeps telling me I am. Chalene Johnson tells me I am. Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook alike all boast and encourage “Live Your Best Life” “Do More, Be More” and I’m over here like dang when’s the last time I vacuumed? Answer: too long ago! Maybe I was made for good enough?
When is “more” over? When do we get to say, “okay guys, I did it!” It’s beginning to seem like the answer to that is: never. There will always be more to achieve, more to aspire to, more notches on the post and more accolades and praise, more to buy, more to show, more, more, more.
But Maybe Less Looks Good on You Too…
Ironically, in this incredibly more-driven season of consumerism, joy, and ‘
I don’t want to buy another Lego set to put under the tree so it looks like Santa really came. I can’t stuff another shirt into Aria’s drawers because we just received a windfall of hand me downs that are perfect. Technically, Leo could use a truck or two since I donated 10 from Noah’s stockpile. The toy
Overall, the more I long for can’t be bought with a credit card, or wrapped up with a bow, or mass-consumed during a Black Friday sale. I want more time, more memories, more presence. And I want that to be good enough.
By The Way…
P.S. there’s a big sale happening everywhere today. I’m going to be encouraging 10 amazing women in a fitness challenge group and painting some more doors.
Thanks for reading my random Monday Musings. I hope you have a wonderful day!
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Cathy Reeve says
November 26, 2018 at 9:12 AMbeautiful post and oh so true. Even if we did have more time, we would not use it wisely….way to be so smart to realize that you can never have this time again!
love you.
Laura Canfield says
November 26, 2018 at 4:07 PMThanks Mom ❤️. I’m sitting next to Aria watching Barbie and this is the more I’m after right now
Andrea Mcclure says
November 26, 2018 at 2:39 PMI love this! I’m craving less too this season. My kids nor I really need anything. Of course I want an exciting Christmas morning for them, but I don’t feel the need to overdue or fill our calendars with too many holiday activities like I used to! The truth is we are already living our best lives!
Laura Canfield says
November 26, 2018 at 4:08 PMDefinitely! I’m looking to streamline this month activity wise and definitely provide experiences over toys this Christmas. Considering the three gift rule (1 need, 1 want, 1 clothing)
Katie H says
November 26, 2018 at 9:41 PMI really love this post. I feel the same. I spent my weekend with my husband and son instead of shopping the sales. The holidays are about family, not gifts and getting commissions.
Laura Canfield says
November 26, 2018 at 10:02 PMThank you so much for reading Katie! I feel like that’s the space I’ll be living in for this month. Just trying to enjoy the cheer instead of adding to the consumer chaos!