I’ve been thinking about what comfort, wealth and luxury mean to me lately, and I’ve come to semi-despise it. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with granite counter tops filled with a matching set of KitchenAid appliances, Frette sheets on a Tempurpedic mattress, spontaneous trips to Napa, New York or Naples, sporting the latest Lulu Lemon to Bikram classes, etc.
I just hate how I love the feeling of being comfortable. I also hate how I’ve enjoyed having an image that I am materially wealthy (I felt complimented when people call me a “Bellevue Girl”…).
Along the way, lots of things have reconfirmed to me the importance for me to stop being so dang comfortable and bougie. For example…
- During a job interview, someone asked me to share about a risk I’ve taken in my life, and what I shared about was just so UMC.
- Being an exchange student in Singapore where all of us had so much money to blow on such stupid things… I didn’t even meet an exchange student who wasn’t well off. In fact, I almost felt poor in comparison to some.
- Calling my mom a redneck when she told me she wanted to sell our Bellevue house and live in an RV… and now realizing that I say Bellevue house
Aside from the yucky feeling, I think that being so comfortable is hindering my personal growth. So, here’s my plan to get rid of the yucky feeling of loving comfort and materialism. I’m going to do things that make me uncomfortable.
- I’ve emptied out my mutual fund in which I put all my savings into for the last 6 years and gave it away
- I’m applying for a jobs at fast food restaurants in locations where people I know might see me
I think this might be a fun adventure… I’m curious as to what will happen.
To be honest, now I feel even more bougie because I just called a less privileged lifestyle “fun”. It’s like calling poverty cute. My gosh, I have a lot to learn!!
hey ange,
This isn’t meant to steer you towards or away from your decisions, just keep these in mind when you do
Romans 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
1 Peter 4:11
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
You can be assured of discomfort, and having the image of material wealth, regardless if you have it or not, will become less and less important.
Thanks Noel!
I completely agree with you that it all starts with the mind. God can change my thoughts about everything. But I’ve been saying things like “I can be happy if I work at McDonald’s for the rest of my life” and “I am not defined by where I work”. I think this is something hard for people to believe when I tell them that–it’s like I’m saying it just to make a point. Maybe I was just saying it to make a point. And I’m really just saying it. I don’t know if it is true until I do it, right?
Anyways, it’s time to put my money where my mouth is. It’s time to put my faith and beliefs to the test. It’s time to do something.