Happy to Wait
“Why don’t you have apple air pods?” This was something asked of me last week – surely you could own Apple air pods. Well of course I could but I chose not to.Why?
Apple air pods are $250 each which is equivalent to quite a lot of work being done for me for a week so I’d rather have less stress & more time than something that makes me look on-trend.
‘Oh’
This conversation isn’t one I’ve had infrequently. It appears to be a regular question; whether it’s air pods, a fancier phone or even a better car, the conversation is directed by perspective & confidence. How?
We have a perception in society that we need to look a certain way, but following what others are doing only keeps us further away from being ourselves. Keeping in step with every trend makes us impressionable but not authentic people.
My lovely virtual assistant Kris from the virtual assistant team takes 40 hours of work off my plate. Her work is exceptional and I feel calmer, more relaxed less stressed and I’m making more progress in my business instead of wearing all the hats. She’s there getting things done & I can focus on other things that scale that business. The investment choices I make are to invest in better health and a more successful business or to invest in something cool.
When you name aloud what things are your investment mindset changes. You can see how worthwhile your investment is, but being this honest takes guts. In an instantaneous society the ‘I want it now!’ mentality is very common. We don’t have to wait for something so we don’t have to consider the benefits of the investment and we don’t have time to talk ourselves out of it before what we want is in our hands. It leads us to 9 pairs of black shoes that aren’t that different from each other. It leads us to buy statement fashion pieces that will last only a season or to get the latest iPhone at a higher cost than a 5-night getaway. And then we find ourselves stressed, looking at what we bought and being filled with regret. Or perhaps we aren’t filled in regret but we still don’t feel healthier, happier, or less stressed because the root cause of buying the on-trend item leaves us knowing that we still feel the same and to change the space and invest better in ourselves we have to spend again. This reality is why Danoz Direct has survived for years, why Sunrise and Today slows have a whole half (or several hours) dedicated to TV shopping. It’s looking for a weakness in ourselves and trying to exploit our level of confidence.
You do not need stuff. You need self-love and an ability to choose investments that make you happier in the long term. Encourage yourself and your friends to look at what you want to buy with the perspective of what value does it add to me? Is it helping my happiness, health, and confidence by purchasing this product or service? Then let your answer guide you.
Recently I bought a Nick Scali lounge. I chose its beautiful smoke blue colour and I got very excited over my first ever leather lounge purchase. In fact, it’s the first big purchase as an adult. In years gone by I have rented, traveled, and lived in the UK and been lucky enough through my first profession of teaching to get government housing. Every time with the exception of basically a bed I’ve had furniture supplied, hence the excitement over a quality investment. My gorgeous lounge has taken a long time to come thanks to covid delays so I cannot enjoy it right now but having to wait for my purchase is exactly why I will enjoy the delivery when it is ready for me. I have to admit I also love that I get to enjoy the fanciness that is Nick Scali. When I was looking for new furniture for my new place I made a significant decision to purchase only things that would last for a long time – beyond the ‘just me’ household and into a family lifestyle. I knew if I did this I would spend less over time and contribute less waste to the world and that was important.
So my new lounge, soon to arrive will be in performance leather, come with electric recliners and a lifetime warranty. Through the kiddies and my golden retriever, the lounge will last, it won’t date and as previously said will save me more money over time. This is another reason why it is exciting, I can enjoy the lounge through the seasons of my life. Until recently I hadn’t quite thought about that. When I was a child I remember my parents first fancy lounge purchase and I recall the memories we attached to that lounge, the time we got our dog and new rules were made about never hugging her while on the couch, that she was not allowed to lean up against the couch and a few others I can’t fully recall at the moment all of which might I add were completely null and void when being a close family that demonstrated love became more important than a pristine couch. I’m looking forward to these memories of my own.
In the next few months and as Christmas inches closer, other purchases for my house will be selected by the same values just as a few other pieces since my lounge purchase have been. My reading chair is my special chair for years to come. It’s stylish, comfortable and makes a statement. My outdoor setting is currently my indoor setting - in the warmer months, it will migrate to the alfresco area where I can enjoy planning business work while getting some sun and on evenings and weekends entertaining friends and family. My bar stool will be a permanent fixture as a breakfast bench and when I move (sometime later) it will go into the overall look of my place.
This is probably what I’ve loved the most about slowly building a house since I moved to Toowoomba. Everything adds value, matches directly or eclectically, and will be able to go in the style of the house I want in the future because it is well thought through and purchased with longevity in mind. In the past when I needed a few extra pieces of furniture I never considered how my purchases were connected to the stage of life I was in, how I felt about settling down or the complete benefits I would feel from changing the purchase game. To me, this change in my mindset indicates the knowledge that:
- Everything doesn’t have to happen soon
- Everything needs to add value to my life as opposed to being something I just have
- Everything needs to last a long time otherwise it’s potentially not as worthy an investment.
The rational decision to slow down and build a home piece by piece adds happiness to my life but I also think it’s an extension of my values put in practice. I’d like to know – who goes slow and loves the process when building their home? Share with me below.
