The contentment challenge is a commitment to giving up shopping for 3 MONTHS!
What is the Contentment Challenge?
I don’t know where I found it, but I’ve been binging Nancy Ray’s podcast, “Work and Play with Nancy Ray.” Its a podcast teaching to work and play well, which ultimately leads to a “happy soul and fulfilling life.” Its GOOD!
Episode 003 of her podcast, Nancy describes the “Contentment Challenge.” Basically, its a commitment to giving up shopping for clothing, décor, accessories, and extra stuff for 3 months straight in order to “focus your heart and mind on the root of true contentment. It’s also a commitment to replace shopping with activities, experiences and relationships- the things that really matter in life.”
Nancy completed her first contentment challenge after she paid off her house in 2012 and found herself using the extra cash to buy random stuff. She found this habit to be distracting her from appreciating what she already had. Nancy felt a tugging at her heart to give up shopping for 3 months. After completing the challenge, she found it was life changing and made it a goal to do at the beginning of each year.
I’ve fallen into spending money on extras…
Now, I consider myself a “realistic minimalist” and usually don’t find a lot of happiness in buying myself or home, extra stuff. However, lately I’ve been making purchases on Amazon Prime WAYYY to much, justifying my purchases as items that will make my life easier or make me “happy.” (*For more on my minimalist lifestyle read about my 30-day minimalist challenge here.)
For example, I recently purchased holiday hand towels, new lotion (I already had some at home), a cookbook to make meal planning easier, small plates so I didn’t have to do so many dishes, etc. While these are all small purchases, they add up. And guess what?! All the excitement was in putting the items in my Amazon cart and hitting “buy now.” That dopamine spike was more exciting than when the actual package arrived.
WHY I’m completing the Contentment Challenge
Like I said, I’ve been trying to search for happiness in materialistic things. Anytime I start to feel discontentment sneaking in, I’m always searching for something to take it away. Sometimes its food, other times its social media, and most recently its spending money. When I’m feeling uneasy, I want to turn my attention to the Lord, and not all of these outside pleasures.
This will be a great way to start off the new year, focusing on gratitude, the Lord, and making + enhancing relationships.
HOW I plan on completing the Contentment Challenge
Nancy Ray has both a free guide and a paid version ($15), to keep you on track during the challenge. I plan on doing the self-led, free version she offers.
I WONT be spending money on: clothing, home décor, accessories, kids toys, books, and other miscellaneous stuff.
I WILL be spending money on: groceries and bills (DUH), gas, supplements & essential oils, beauty items (only if I’m about to run out), toiletries, date nights/babysitter, family experiences and activities. Basically, you can still spend money but NOT on materialistic things.
Before January, I’m going to purchase any needed items I’ll need for the challenge. I want to purchase a few books to read during this time as well as a couple of clothing items I’ll need to get me through winter. The books I plan on reading are, “Essentialism,” “A Simplified Life,” and “Digital Minimalism.” If you need book recommendations, read my post on my favorite books read in 2021!
Unfollow or mute Instagram bloggers and unsubscribe from all shopping email subscriptions.
Delete my Amazon prime app from my phone! The ONLY items that I’ll be buying on Amazon, will be my monthly subscriptions.
Replace my shopping habit with reading, yoga, sitting outside and/or time with the Lord.
When will I start
I plan on following the dates Nancy provides; January 10-April 10.
Things do not equal happiness. I am looking forward to learning to be content with what I have, challenge my spending habits and redirect my heart to the people I love. I think this is going to be hard, but I love a good challenge. =)
Who wants to join me?! Comment below!
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