(written on 9/23/13)
Statement #1: The first half of the month went really well! I had to do mid-week laundry, instead of multiple loads on the weekends, but other than that it was easy. Not as hard to decide what to wear when there aren't as many choices! Every time I wished I could wear a different work outfit or snuggle up in my sweats, I just thought about how blessed I am.
Which brings us to: Statement #2: I started cheating on Day 19. But I have some very good reasons (otherwise known as excuses). Last week I came down with Chickenpox. I developed 230+ itchy, red bumps, as well as some intermittent headache and fever.
On the second day I was home sick, I started out with good intentions - since my PJs were dirty from the day before, I put on my exercise pants and purple sweater. But I quickly discovered that a ribbed sweater wasn't the most comfortable thing on my tender skin. And I got cold. So I decided to incorporate three new clothing items into my wardrobe: my sweats, another long sleeve shirt, and a fleece zip-up. I've been alternating wearing my PJs one day, while washing the sweats outfit, then vice versa. So now it's more like "30 Days, 33 Clothes". And that brings us to...
Statement #3: I might cheat more this week. When I go back to work, I may need to pick tops that hide the most skin possible (i.e. turtlenecks?) so that, with the help of makeup, I can achieve the "I Have Bad Acne" look instead of the "I'm Clearly Diseased and Might Make You Sick, Too" look.
[update: I didn't need to cheat further - it took so long to get back to work that I only had one day left before the 30 days ended.]
So, there you have it - my confession that I cheated on the 30 Days, 30 Clothes experiment. For other reasons, I know that this virus is an attack of the enemy. But I also believe and declare that God can't be thwarted, and therefore He can still carry out His plans. Even in small things like my failed clothing experiment, He can still teach me things - appreciating what I have, being creative with those things, and moderating my desires to acquire more.
This was an interesting experiment. Instead of owning things, I think the things begin to own us when they become too numerous to easily manage and begin making significant demands on our time and attention.
ReplyDeleteI think you were wise to loosen the rules a bit in light of chickenpox.