DO NOT feel bad if you do things differently than others. We are all individuals and we all do things differently.
I see things on FB at times and think - seriously? You are trying to say you are frugal? People going into huge debt for big fancy houses, then being unhappy with how it looks and changing it all. Saying they are not spending this year, yet you see a post of shopping trips almost every day.
Canning for the future and for saving. Yet buying all kinds of food to can that they would not buy as normal - not to mention buying tons of jars and supplies (yes I know they are re-usable).
My mind just explodes some days - BUT you know what? Who cares. IF they think they are being frugal and doing things that make them happy - that is ALL that is important!!!! My opinion does not matter.
I am sure I do things that others don't understand as well. We all do.
I guess I am saying that frugal is different for everyone. Some find it necessary to water down things, find new uses for things, not waste leftovers, eat from home, saving money wherever we can, use it up, make it last, do without, etc. (ME). But I will also spend a ton of money to feed nature, care for my fur babies, or help someone in need. My priorities are MINE!
You may save for vacations, or for that big house, or for a new car, or to eat out once a week. That is OK too. Your priorities are YOURS!
I don't do anything that I do because it pleases others. If my ways and myself are accepted by others - GREAT. If not - I don't really care. Our lives should be lived in being able to live and share - that is freedom. We all evolve over the years and our ways change.
Just let your spirit and your heart reach out - either others accept you or they don't.
Don't live in fear, let God have control. The world and our lives change - and in 10 years things will be totally different than they are today - so make each day count.
THRIVE not SURVIVE! This is something I am trying to learn. When life changes drastically, we tend to hit a brick wall. Life was the same forever - and then it's not. We have GOT to adjust and grow and move forward. (so difficult, but necessary).
If we don't do something new - we will become stagnant.
Figuring out the path to take is the hard part. With faith in God, I feel that will come for each of us. We all need to listen!!!!!!!
So whether you live in a huge house or a tiny home, water down the shampoo or buy the most expensive, eat out or cook from scratch, simply have transportation or a status car, do without so you can help the animals or others, grow a garden or go to the farm market - you are being you.
Do what makes you happy.
Now in saying that - DO IT - BUT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND DECISIONS. Don't get yourself in a bind and expect others to bail you out. Your choices are yours - that is your freedom.
We each chose our own freedom.
I know we each learn from each other on here. We learn new ways. We learn from others mistakes. We learn new ways of thinking. We learn life is different for us all. We learn that as different as we all are - we are the same. We want happiness.
Enjoy the life you are living instead of just living the life you are given.
Good morning Cheryl, I really liked this post. I always seem to need reminding that I don't need to impress others. Just to be myself! I hope you are having a good day and have no snow! I know you are counting the days till spring!
ReplyDeleteGood morning my friend. Just being yourself is to greatest gift to give others.
DeleteI can't wait till spring and to be able to get outside and work! No snow here!
Have a great one.
Oh, I like this blog post, Cheryl. Very good advice. I don't have to impress anyone. I just want to be a better version of myself. :)
ReplyDeleteLove that - 'better version of myself'.
DeleteThat should be our goal!
AMEN!! I agree with everything you wrote, especially "DO IT - BUT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND DECISIONS. Don't get yourself in a bind and expect others to bail you out." Far too many people forget that part.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yeppers - seems to be the way of the world today.
DeleteI guess we are old school and I am glad.
Great post! I especially love the last sentence. I needed the reminder..."enjoy the life you are living instead of just living the life you are given."
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I thought that was a pretty good statement as well - we seem to forget to enjoy A LOT!
DeleteI just want to be happy and loved. Sure you do too.
Dear Cheryl, I know what you are saying. It riles me up! This is how I see it... there are people who say they are frugal but they are not just as people say they are Christian and are not. They may truly believe they are or in denial or whatever but at the end of the day sometime all the chickens come home to roost! We all reap what we sow. (in the end!) Meanwhile too bad, I am not led astray (and I am certain you are not) but it can upset your peace and focus seeing too much of this kind of stuff... I totally get that. I think many people spend on all kinds of addictions and addictions are a strong thing and very deceiving! People always justify their addictions. Shopping I think can be an addiction of its own.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile we can depart from that and become more self reliant and wise day by day. It is almost good to be able to see examples of what not to do! God is good and I am finding he is showing favour to the few that still follow him even down to small things like a good deal to help add to the pantry. We seem to have found ourselves in very challenging times. We have to stay very close to the Word and listen and be as wise as we can muster. With love and hugs Annabel.xxx
Very well said. "We reap what we sow". I think some of it may be addiction to something as well. Maybe spending. Maybe being the center of attention. Maybe having stuff. It could be anything.
DeleteI know many who 'say' frugal or Christian and I guess they believe it - but they don't fool anyone else. Oh well, it is their life and in the end - YES, they are the ones that will answer.
We do need to stay aware of so much and just keep doing what is right.
Blessings.
This is why I have so many online friends. I have very few local friends that are really frugal. Lots of people think they are but then complain about the credit card debt or car loans.
ReplyDeleteSo true. I listened to someone lately talk about how much trouble they were having keeping their house - then a bit later was talking about it's fine to have the practice of going to Starbucks daily.
DeleteI truly don't get it!
Glad for my FRUGAL online friends as well.
I'm frugal in many ways...not quite so frugal in others. I'm not out to impress anyone; just living my life and trying to make my small corner of the world a better place.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I could care less what others think about how I do things. I think by being frugal at some things it enables us to be able to do other things that may not be frugal. It is a give and take - as it should be.
DeleteWords to live by - "make my small corner of the world a better place". Thank you!
I agree with the statement that you have made in this post. I have a good friend who lives a 'frugal' lifestyle. It doesn't look anything like mine. We have different priorities and are at different life stages. Like you say we just need to focus on our own priorities and live our best life.
ReplyDeleteI understand that. I chuckled for a second at "it doesn't look anything like mine". I guess maybe we all have different priorities, but some people who say frugal - just aren't. But yes, we need to do what is right for us not them.
DeleteWow, Cheryl, you said a mouthful!.. Very poignant and insightful.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely.
I loved this post. I read all of your posts regularly. Thank you for being out there in blog land.