“I don’t think that fear is the problem. I think the problem is that we often don’t know what to do with our fear. We don’t know how to acknowledge it for what it is — which is a feeling which might be giving us some information about the world, but it’s also giving us information about ourselves.”
–Kim Brooks, in an interview with NPR
Over the past few months (years?), a thought has occurred to me with increasing frequency: I spend a LOT of time, mental energy, and money on what I wear. From reading fashion blogs, to planning the next day’s outfit, to trying to find the perfect companion for that unique item I bought, to online shopping, to trying on and returning purchases, clothes and accessories have claimed too much of my life. So I’m ready to say enough. It’s time to refocus all that energy and money on more important things.
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”
—John A. Shedd
Keychain available from quaintcollections1 on Etsy
A couple of months ago, about eight years after graduating from law school, I used my tax refund to pay off the remainder of my law school loans. It felt amazing. I have a few student loans left from undergrad, and I’m on track to pay those in full by the end of this year. (I paid the law school loans first because their interest rate was higher.) Watching the balances shrink as I’ve thrown money at them has been exhilarating, and I’m excited to be able to focus more on saving and meeting other big financial goals going forward. I began attending college in 2002, and more than sixteen years later, I’m finally almost finished paying for it.
“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt
Burlap sign available from TexasBurlapBoutique on Etsy
