What’s In Your Purse? - Girlfriend, You Need A New Purse!

What’s in Your Purse? - Girlfriend, You Need a New Purse!

ON THE FLIP SIDE of hectic schedules are routines that bore the life right out of you. I have a love-hate relationship with the daily grind; I am a creature of habit and enjoy my “rituals,” but every now and then, I just need a break from the same-ole, same-ole things!

Interrupting your routine takes some planning and a little creativity, but it is a great way to lighten your handbag. Here are a few easy ideas:

This weekend, serve dinner on your good china and crystal. Dinner might consist of KFC and grape juice—but hey—life is short! Get out the good stuff. Every now and then, I serve Steve our light Friday night dinner of smoked salmon, cheese, and crackers on china. He gets a big kick out of it. Young children really enjoy this. Have everyone “dress for dinner” the way families did in the old days. You can also gently use this event as a teachable moment to reinforce eating with the correct utensil and proper table manners. What do you need today? A chance to celebrate life with those you love the very most.

Visit with your girlfriend. Women are so busy tending everyone else, they let their friendships flounder. Pick up the phone. Don’t always expect your friend to initiate coffee on Saturday morning. Emerson said, “Go oft to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path.” Hmm. Ralph clearly knew something about friendships. What do you need for today? Giggles with your girlfriend.

And my all-time favorite: Take a pretend vacation (recently coined staycation by the media) some weekend. Steve and I do this every few months. We don’t go out of town—we just do the same things we would do if we went to another city. We go to brunch. We go to the museum. Then we take in a local site we’ve never visited. We don’t watch TV. We don’t answer the phone. We don’t do laundry. We’re on vacation! If you’re a stay-at-home mom with small children, you may need an overnight getaway at a hotel in town; just having the opportunity to go to the potty alone without two sets of eyes staring up at you can make you feel like a new woman! What do you need for today? To get away without packing a bag.

A glad heart makes a happy face;a broken heart crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:13)

Choose to take the common out of your common life, and your handbag will be so much lighter!