04-13-2008

Apathy or Contentment? My Trip to Target

By Renae

Strolling through all-things-stylish at Target, I tried to spend my gift card again. I searched for something needed. Something wanted. Something I wouldn’t normally buy. I left the store arms empty. Why?

Giovanni Battista Torriglia, A Happy Family, 1858

It’s not because the displays weren’t appealing. The bookshelves wanted to come home with me. However, they cost three times the amount I had. The clothes didn’t fit. The tennis shoes weren’t comfortable. I paused in the scrapbook aisle. Maybe here…Then I remembered the craft supplies crammed in the closet.

This break from caring for my children began to feel like a waste of time. My mind battled. One thought slouched in the corner, “You used to like shopping. What’s wrong?” Another idea overpowered, “You don’t need anything.” Yes, there are things I could use, but it’s true. I don’t need anything. Not even clearance calligraphy to hang on the wall.

My countenance lifted as my gait became purposeful. Chores awaited me at home, but so did the people I love most. Blessings abundant. Time redeemed.

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17 Comments

  1. Life On The Planet 04-14-2008, 6:45 am

    I do exactly the same thing! When I have the time and I have the money…nothing!

    When I’m rushed and broke…I want everything!

    Why IS that?

  2. April 04-14-2008, 6:54 am

    This is why I usually end up spending my birthday gifts, etc. on diapers and jumbo rolls of paper towels. Sometimes new socks.

  3. Cheryl 04-14-2008, 8:10 am

    I am afraid I would have bought groceries if I had a Target gift card. That is where I get all our stuff anyway!

  4. Renae 04-14-2008, 8:19 am

    Life on the Planet,
    Murphy’s Law? Or maybe when we have time to slow down, we realize that more stuff means more work.

    Plus, I’m used to paying yard sale prices. The stuff at Target seems expensive to me. Yes, I’m that cheap frugal.

    April,
    If I do spend gifts on socks and underwear for the kids (which I probably will do with this card), I try to find some little thing for me later. Maybe I’ll add a bit to the money my sister sent me for pottery supplies. That’s stuff I will buy!

  5. Renae 04-14-2008, 8:24 am

    Cheryl,
    It’s nice to know I’m not the only one. If we had a Super Target I probably would have bought food. After all, groceries have Lasting Value.

  6. naturalpaths 04-14-2008, 10:22 am

    I do the same thing. I loved shopping many years ago, but now I could care less. Sure, I could think of plenty I would like to have, but nothing I truly NEED.

  7. Mrs. C 04-14-2008, 12:35 pm

    The online shopping experience is even more like that because you see how much money you are spending with tax and shipping. I usually wind up putting everything back!!

  8. Summer 04-15-2008, 6:59 am

    I do this too! I never saw as contentment before but indecisiveness. I guess I need to change my perspective. :) Thanks Renae for another inspiring post!

  9. Renae 04-15-2008, 7:54 am

    Naturalpaths,
    Thank you for visiting. I appreciate your comment. In this society that screams, “Buy! Buy! Buy!” we can chose to be content.
    I’m finally realizing we have more than we need. Some of that may come from having kids. Their stuff swells to fill every corner. :)

    Mrs. C,
    True. The only things I tend to buy online are books, and I wait for free shipping. :)

    Summer,
    Hmm…Maybe you’re right. I do tend to be indecisive. ;) But I don’t like buying stuff just for the sake of buying. Whatever comes into this full house needs to have a place and purpose.

  10. Michele 04-15-2008, 9:03 am

    Hello again. I met so many people during HE week and I forgot where all their blogs were. Thank you for commenting me again. I have added you to my blogroll as I enjoyed reading yours and getting to know you better. I have had some of the same thoughts about shopping and just being “out” in general. I often think that I need some time by myself, but when I am out alone, I always wish I had one of my kids with me. Aren’t we moms odd ;-)

  11. Heather Young 04-15-2008, 3:25 pm

    I have found myself doing the same thing–though in Target I always can find something we actually need or will need (like necessary female things, Propel, or frames) and would likely spend the gift card on that. :)

  12. Renae 04-16-2008, 9:23 am

    Michele,
    Thank you so much. I’m still making my way through the Home Education Week posts.

    I think I would rather spend my alone time sipping tea and reading books. And maybe not even alone. Joining a friend for uninterrupted conversation would be nice, too. :)

    Heather,
    I never experienced such a revelation before. I know that we are blessed, but it really sunk in. Our home is unfinished, our clothes are second-hand, our furniture is worn, but is that really such a sacrifice? Sometimes I’ve thought so, not anymore.

    Stuff will not make my life any richer.

  13. Daisy 04-16-2008, 2:10 pm

    LOL, I totally understand! I think I spent my last Target gift card on Burt’s Bees lotion, Dreft laundry soap and napkins. ;-)

  14. becky 04-18-2008, 10:08 am

    I feel exactly the same way everytime I go to Target. Except I don’t have kids… I just live on my own, out of college, with little money to actually spend on things I “want” rather than “need”. I don’t know if this feeling ever goes away… I can’t imagine someday when I have kids….

    Moral of the story, count your blessings. (wise)

  15. JHS 04-20-2008, 2:46 pm

    Thanks for participating in this week’s Carnival of Family Life hosted at Vanilla Joy. The Carnival will be live tomorrow, Monday, April 21, 2008, so stop by and check out all of the other wonderful submissions!

  16. Carnival of Family Life April 21st 2008 Edition 04-21-2008, 8:35 am

    […] at Stop the Ride!, saying, “A good place to comparison shop online.” Renae presents Apathy or Contentment? My Trip to Target posted at Life Nurturing […]

  17. Hadias 04-24-2008, 1:10 pm

    Welcome to the land of contentment.

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