Hey fam! Welcome to Thanksgiving szn. I try to incorporate gratitude habits into my personal life daily, but during this season, it’s been really fun to dive in a little deeper into the things I’m most thankful for in my life. Maybe some of these will resonate with you too! On today’s Thankful Thursday, I’m focusing on the best decisions I’ve made that I’m grateful for.
Without further ado, here are some of the decisions I’ve made that I’m thankful for:
Prioritizing my own personal finance education.
Even though I’ve made plenty of mistakes, some of those mistakes spurred me on to learn more about personal finance. Reading a few books and checking out a few blogs (like this one!) lead me to prioritize my finances. Life isn’t always about money, and honestly, most of the time it shouldn’t be. HOWEVER, I believe strong money habits and a healthy money mindset enable us to make the decisions we want to make and to pursue a lifestyle oriented around freedom.
I’m a work in progress, but making the decision to educate myself and put personal finance principles to work in my life has given me confidence and security. And, now I want that for every single person in my life. It’s become something I’m passionate about and that I find fulfillment in.
Saying yes to travel and adventures. (While saying no to material things.)
From navigating a language barrier in rural Spain to roaring through a Mexican jungle on an ATV. From enjoying a perfect sunset meal over Lake Tahoe with close friends to meandering the streets of New York City. I have to believe, at the end of my time, THOSE are the memories I’ll cherish the most.
Did you know science backs this up? Our richest and most memorable experiences hold more intrinsic value for us than material items.
Not only that, but remember we’re all a sum total of our experiences. When the decision is between a nicer purse and a new adventure with pals, I’m choosing the latter every time. Those experiences are memorable and valuable, AND they’re important to help widen our perspectives and support our own growth.
Remember when we talked about building a healthy mindset oriented around abundance? New experiences are part of that growth journey. They’re a reminder of ALL that’s available to us on this Earth.
Pursuing community.
Creating connections and community in our lives is SO IMPORTANT. It’s what we were made for. Connection gives us the joy and meaning we all desire.
Living through a pandemic has made connection and community even more precious, and intentionality can help ensure we’re all being proactive about maintaining connections to our people. I fall down on this as much as anyone, but it’s a core value. I’ll forever be grateful for the strong friendships and community around me.
Getting a dog.
Where are my dog lovers at?! This was hands-down one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Getting a dog gave me a best friend and a companion. He makes me laugh and gives me confidence to go on adventures and try new things. I’ve met some of my favorite people through shared experiences with my pup.
The decision itself was a difficult one because I knew it was a long-term decision, and I wanted to be 100% sure before I adopted a new family member. But once I took the leap, I ended up with the most perfect pupper and haven’t questioned the decision one time.
He is the CEO of the household and reminds us of his superior position daily.
Taking a moment.
One of my friends called me a “glory junkie” recently. My response? “Don’t call me names.” But fam, it turns out she’s right! Her definition of “glory junkie” was someone who is constantly on the hunt for beautiful scenes and surprising moments. Give me a sunset over the water or a beautiful scenic vista, and I’m a happy girl. I love to search out the moments – big and small – where God reveals Himself, frequently through nature.
The decision to sit still in some of those moments is one I will be grateful for. Sometimes it’s in the quiet moments when we gain clarity and direction. Even if we don’t walk away with answers to our big questions, at least we gain some perspective.
Along those lines…
Snapping photos.
Yes, I’m super thankful for all of those little moments where I sat still and was present, and I could wax poetic about that for hours. But today, I’m also thankful for the decisions I’ve made along the way to take photos and capture those moments for later. A phone camera never does it justice, but I’m thankful everyday I open up my photo folders and can relive my “glory junkie” moments.
At the very least, it gives me beautiful moments with which to adorn my walls.
Not being afraid to do things differently.
I’m stubborn and headstrong and have to do things my own way. (cue Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way”) I used to think those were fatal character flaws. (My parents might still thank that, haha.) But now, I’m pretty convinced those are the things that got me where I am.
If you gave me advice at any point in my teens and early 20s, I probably made a conscious decision to do the exact opposite of what was suggested. (Sorry about that.) I frequently made things harder than they needed to be. But I’m here to tell you, I made some rich memories and some even better friends along the way!
Even when it comes to finances, it’s easy to follow the status quo, drifting along and trying to keep up with the Joneses. Bucking the norm means ignoring the materialist arms race going on around us and focusing on the important things, whatever those are for you.
It’s okay to take a different path from those around us, and it’s okay to be open to different approaches and perspectives. Sometimes the traditional way isn’t the best way for you.
Marrying the right person.
I can’t take credit for this one, y’all. If God hadn’t put my husband directly in my path, I might still be stumbling around, clinging to my own independence. (See above re: being stubborn and headstrong.)
After just a year of marriage (I’m a marriage expert now, right? haha.) I’ve learned so much about myself and about the world around me because my husband motivates me to be a better person. To my single readers, if you’re drawn toward a pursuit of marriage (it’s ok if you aren’t!) find yourself someone who makes you laugh and makes you think. Marriage isn’t for everyone, but if it’s something you are interested in, being sure of the person you’re marrying is a non-negotiable.
There we have it – another Thankful Thursday! What decisions have you made that you’re extra grateful for?
Not every one is financially intelligent, so, it’s necessary to deliberate seek financial education, especially as it ain’t thought in school.
Also, as I’m getting older, I’m learning that it’s wiser to spend on experiences than material acquisitions. Nice post all round
Thanks so much Seyi!