I often find myself explaining myself and am learning I do it out of insecurities. It’s as if I feel like I need people to understand my life in order to justify the way I choose to live. When in fact, I do not need their approval to live my life at all.
My husband and I are different. We are simple. We don’t like to be busy. We choose to spend our time, energy, talents, and money on things that reflect our lifestyle and priorities. And that is not going to be the same as everyone else’s.
I recently found myself planning an email in my head to explain and justify a recent choice that was made. I had to step back and really analyze the motive behind this. Instead I chose to reach out to a friend that I trust and who knows me to talk some of this out. It is those friends that I never have to explain myself with that I need go to for encouragement and support. They already understand. They know me. They know my priorities. They understand my passions.
Instead of explaining myself, I am going to live my life more confidently and rely on those who truly know me and understand me and can support me in the decisions I make.
I am done explaining myself.
Camera Strap: Polka Dot Bungalow
i like this way of thinking, I often take too much on, or feel like I have to explain to everyone why we cant drive 490340q347 miles to go see them. Thanks for the inspiration.
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KATY
Thank you for this post; your confidence is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post. It feels good to know someone else out there is the same way as I am. I am also done explaining and justifying.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! Less is more!
ReplyDeleteSounds great!! Live your life for you and your husband. I know I had to explain decisions to my husbands family, and to mine.. but you know.. doing what's right for my family is always the best things to do~!!
ReplyDeletewell said Sister from another mother. I do this ALL THE TIME. so much that my son always said to me "you are way too nice, why do you have to explain yourself to others? why do you care?" and seriously there is something wrong when you have to listen to an 18 yr old. Live your life as you wish, the people that love you and care for you already understand...as you said.
ReplyDeleteWell done! Im sure your're going to have less on your shoulders once you have finally let go of the explanation station.
ReplyDeleteI hope to get to that point soon! :)
Well said!! My sister has always lived this way, where I feel the need to explain. I'm glad you learned early.
ReplyDeleteI am behind you 200%. I do not feel the need to explain my life & decisions to anyone. My husband and I also live a simple life (with beautiful things around us)and we feel the same way you do. What's important is what works for you and your husband. You have to live with your choices, not anyone else. I started following you some time again (one of my first blogs), and you have become my favorite! I look for your posts every day....as I know whatever it is that you blog about, I will be nodding my head YES! You are awesome! Thank you for such a good read. I love reading about all aspects of your life....I always seem to agree. :o)
ReplyDeletekeep it up ashley. Listen, after me and my husband read Dave Ramsey's "Total money makeover" we realized that, like the book explains, we might not be misunderstood, but we will end up successful. A lot of the times I find myself explaining why I don't get my nails done other than by myself, I wax myself, I try (I really try) not to get coffee out and make it at home. Me and my husband don't do trips all the time, don't eat our all the time, we live ina frugal way cos we want to save and retire with savings. is that such a bad thing? It depends on your priorities. But we shouldn't have to explain to people, who, incidentally, are not affected by our choices in the very least. Right? Love your blog. I'm dying to learn more of your different lifestyle.
ReplyDelete*I meant "might not be understood"
ReplyDeleteThis post really resonated with me! I'm sure my husband and I are considered "weird" by the other family members since we're home more often than not instead of hitting all the hot spots and eating out all the time. I know this alienates us from the rest of the family, but we simply wouldn't be able to keep up financially even if we wanted to, so it's an easy decision :)
ReplyDeleteTreasure the friends who will support you and your priorities.
Oh, and I'm the same way, I tend to explain myself and apologize for myself when it really isn't necessary or anyone's business. I'm working on it!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl for having that power!
You'll probably live 20 years longer than those people who just can't understand why you don't want to run run run.
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