My Very Surprising Target Trip + An Epiphany

Disclaimer: It might seem counterintuitive to some for me to write a post on contentment like this when we promote deals every day. The goal of this post isn’t to say you should never spend money; it’s about encouraging you to be thoughtful and intentional with your spending… and not just spend because you feel discontent or think that buying something is going to fix an issue or problem. Organizational tools can help you be more organized, but only if you are disciplined to use them. In addition, this isn’t to say that you should never buy something to make your house beautiful. But I just encourage you to make sure you are also appreciating the beauty that is already in your life instead of thinking the only way to make things better is to buy something.

Everything we do here is to serve you as best we can and encourage you to be intentional with your life and your money. That means you’ll see us posting deals to help you save your hard-earned dollars…but you’ll also see us posting inspiration and encouragement to love your life right where it’s at and be content with what you already have. I hope this post inspires those of you who might need the reminder, like I did!

A couple weeks ago, I walked into Target for the first time in a long time and was immediately surprised by what I saw… 

I was going in to buy three very specific items that I’d been planning to get for awhile. As soon as I got in the store, though, I was bombarded by all sorts of things I really “needed” to improve my life. 

The home decor section reminded me that our bedroom has nothing that matches, no cute throw pillows (we literally had to throw them out a year or so ago because a toddler ruined them with some bodily fluids), no curtains, our bedspread is stained, our carpet is incredibly worn, and we have exactly zero items hung on our walls. All of a sudden, I felt I “needed” to upgrade our whole room to look more presentable.

The home organization aisle taunted me with all the matching baskets and racks and shelves. Our current closet situation is a far cry from that: we’re using cardboard boxes and a few mismatched baskets to store things. Maybe I really “need” to invest in a matching system so we look a little more put together??

I walked by the children’s clothing section next and I felt like I really “needed” to buy some cute, new outfits to replace the used and quite worn (complete with stains and a few holes) outfits our three younger ones have been wearing on repeat.

The entire store made me feel like I was failing. I even walked by the puzzle section and wondered if, “Maybe I should buy a puzzle we could all do to foster more family togetherness?”.

Before I stepped into Target, I felt so content. 

Now, just 15 minutes of strolling the aisles of Target, I suddenly “needed” a makeover for pretty much my entire life.

Honestly, I kind of think that’s the whole goal of Target’s marketing strategy (and most stores’ marketing plans!)

They want to convince you that what you currently have, where you currently live, what you currently wear, and your current family lifestyle needs an overhaul and they have just the thing to fix it.

But buying stuff isn’t going to make you more content or all of sudden make your home more organized or your family get along better. 

Change starts with you, not with what you buy or don’t buy.

A new organizational system doesn’t make you more organized. You become more organized by committing to change your habits and then following through with those commitments.

A more decorated room isn’t going to suddenly bring you overwhelming joy. But you can choose to decide to begin noticing and loving what’s right in front of you.

There in the middle of Target, it hit me so clearly: I don’t need more stuff; I need to pay more attention to the good stuff I already have right in front of me. 

The mismatched room and stained carpets and not-so-beautifully organized closet are a testament to the last four and half years of getting to love and nurture four babies and toddlers who have slept in our room. 

The worn clothing speaks of children who are active and healthy and able to run and jump — and yes, get into paint and spill food on them (which means they are curious and eating and we have food to eat!).

The truth is: I didn’t need any of those items I thought I did from Target, but I did need a perspective shift to re-focus on the good stuff already in my life. 

So I walked out of Target carrying only the three items I’d already planned to buy — and wearing a whole new set of eyes to see the goodness that was right before me in my life.