Some have asked, and others may be quietly wondering, “Why am I waiting to start the ban on shopping until January?”.
Well, I kind of have started now, a soft launch, I’ve been a lot more conscious of conviction and have cancelled several “carts” online. But the firm start date being a few months away is intentional. It is a set in stone date. A date that I cannot shift or procrastinate on. It feels like a bigger commitment this way. One I have intentionally chosen, focused on, prepared for. No room for delay or excuses. It is also the start of university, ill be freshly moved into a tiny dorm, with a very busy schedule, and not a ton of space. Its a perfect time to up end all my habits in a whole new environment.

I’ll be spending any social time I do have with other broke college students, so no real threat of expense there. I’Il be drowning in course work I’m sure.

I’ll also be taking a social media hiatus/ detox for those 2 years as well. (I suspect it will end up being permanent) The adds have a disgusting amount of power to suck me in. And, outside of spending, they are also just a time suck. They mentally and emotionally exhaust me and leave me kicking myself for waisting my life. That’s the reason I’ve started this blog. A non-social media outlet for me to share my life, a place to write and post pictures. I’m sure there will be a few people who enjoy keeping up with whatever
content i end up sharing, but I think it’s mostly going to serve as a virtual memory album for me.

I commented above that I suspect the social media hiatus will be permanent. Ideally, that’s predominantly true of the shopping ban as well. That i would be able to mentally come above the culture of consumerism and live differently. But, as with the delayed start date, the 2 year time frame is intentional. I’m not framing this as a “life style change” but a 2 year challenge. The commitment has a clearly defined beginning and end. It has very clear standards and expectations, of both what TO do (track progress, share for accountability) and what NOT to do (spend money). The timeframe I anticipate will help reduce the “I give up” thoughts, as it’s not a “forever” thing.

Thanks for being with me in it. I’m excited to see what God has in store for us all in the coming 750ish days! – Monica