It is January 24th and I am just over three weeks into my self-imposed shopping ban.  If you missed the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, I have vowed to refrain from shopping for myself for this calendar year.  I did not know when I declared this ban that it would also coincide with my self-imposed unemployment.  It would seem rather obvious, at least to me, that one who is not working and earning a regular paycheck should not be out shopping.  Duh!  You can’t spend what you don’t have.  My professional wardrobe, shoes and accessories are currently magnets for dust.  Save for the occasional job interview (which I have had), they are as lonely and orphaned as the Maytag repairman. That is just fine with me.  I am at peace with my current jobless status, as well as my vow to refrain from frequenting my favorite shops.

My shopping ban is really less about spending money unnecessarily than it is about accepting where I am spiritually.  I have long tried to subscribe to the belief that I have EVERYTHING that I need.  I have a loving family, a roof over my head, access to food and water, etc.  My closet is maxed out, and there is no space for one more knickknack or framed photo in my home. I may WANT something, but I don’t NEED anything.  I can also take this spiritual philosophy and apply it to my current jobless status.  In my recent time off, I have learned that I do want to work somewhere, but am fortunate to have the luxury of time to search for that perfect next job.  I have some ideas of what such a position might look like, and I will remain steadfast in not settling for less than what I want.  I hope to work for another five to ten years, and would hope that I can accomplish that goal with just one more employer.

I believe that I am using my new-found free time wisely.  I have been working on my motivational speaking piece and hope to blog more frequently.  I am continuing with my hospice volunteering, and just made the switch this past weekend to work with another local hospice.  I hope to be assigned my first patient(s) later this week.  I am also in the midst of volunteer training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a Patient Family Outreach Volunteer.  This program pairs a survivor (me) with a newly diagnosed blood cancer patient as a resource for them as someone who has “been there, done that.”  I have also made myself available to friends and neighbors who need various forms of help.  One friend is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and has a few other pesky physical ailments that are preventing her from getting through some days independently.  I understand how difficult it can be to ask for help, and am grateful that I am able to “pay it forward.”  (Thirteen years ago I was in a similar situation and needed LOTS of help.)  I am also available to those of you in need of some home or office organizing, as I hope to keep my skills as “Organizer Extraordinaire” current and polished.  If you have a need for such a service, I am your woMAN.  Free. Of. Charge.

I shall leave you now with the knowledge that after nearly one month, I have refrained from shopping and that I am okay with my current (but temporary) jobless status.  Life is good and I am grateful.