With some of the recent events in my life..events that I am the cause of…I find myself in a position where I can no longer just buy shit on any whim.
$60 candles?
Another black eyeliner?
Fluevogs?
Today I felt like curling my hair and realized I have no way of doing so. 3 weeks ago, I’d have popped out for a new curling iron or hot rollers or whatever it is that people use on their hair these days. Now? Given that I haven’t curled my hair since the Clinton administration, I decided that I didn’t need any new hair curling equipment.
Maybe later.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. I make plenty of money. It’s just that I’m living on half as much of it as I am used to. I want to live through several pay cycles so I know what I really have left.
So, I find myself thinking about any potential purchase a lot more than usual, which is such an odd position to be in. There is money even for the luxury of a lawn service and cable. Cable that I barely watch, given that I mostly use the TV for streaming movies and music. But…well…there is True Blood and Game of Thrones. Maybe after the seasons are over I will cancel.
Anyway.
It’s not like I have to worry at all about buying anything I need. Food, electricity, the mortgage…but I need to pay attention. I’ve been in a position for years where I really didn’t have to. I’m not sure that it’s good for a person to be in that position.
Saying “no” to yourself sometimes is not necessarily a bad thing.
Another change to embrace.
And another chance to be grateful for having enough money to live very comfortably on, even on one paycheck. Another chance to be grateful for the job that keeps me in my house. A car that runs reliably. A disposition prone to enjoying time spent at home with my multitude of hobbies.
Yes, a chance to be thankful for being one of the most financially privileged ones in the world.
While I’m at it, another chance to be grateful for my friends and family.
It’s good for me, I think.