30 Days of Nothing - Sirens Call

I'm not saying that it can't be done.  No.  Not at all.  I'm just saying that it kinda stinks.  Like my attitude.  I don't know...I'm on the fence.  There are some days when we get so creative and the food we make is so tasty, that we don't care as much.

But there are also times when, say...you drive by your favorite Mexican place and you can literally smell the food in your car.  (Thanks, La Hacienda.  You're killing me.)  You can try to will yourself into dwelling on all the good you're doing by following a discipline - but the impulse.  It's powerful.  It is like a siren...following you around all the time.

Then there are the times like last night when AB cooked up Pioneer Woman's Pasta Besty...and we all drool into our bowls and no one talks and our heads are down and focused on our forks.  There's shrimp in there, friends.  And the whole thing was so good I almost wept.  Those nights it's so much easier to forget we're even in the middle of a no-spend challenge.

AB's delicious and super easy version of Pasta Betsy © Bushel & A Peck

I'm not sure why the siren call is so freaking loud?  When there's no challenge, we're over all of it.  Over the fried food, over the crap, over the prices and loud restaurants when you're tired and want to be at home.  But gracious, when the challenge is in place, we're like salivating wildebeests for all things fast!  And food!  And not at home!  And served with no clean up!  What the heck is that about?  Habit?  Simplicity? Convenience?  All of the above?

This time around, there have been a few grocery trips.  And to be honest, I took the pressure off (of myself at least) right out of the gate and said we're getting whatever we need/want to get.  It's a big enough challenge that we haven't hit up a drive through in 22 days.  I'm getting shrimp at the grocery store.  You feel me?

Meanwhile, last Saturday we realized that our son could no longer get his feet inside his soccer cleats.  So we did head out and get him a new pair of cleats.  Technically, that is "counter" to the challenge.  However, it became a necessity and so we just took care of it.  These things happen.

Here's what also happens when you challenge yourself to no spending for a month.  You will find every clearance rack, every sale, every "too good to pass up" deal on everything you never knew you needed.  Those shoes you've been wanting?  On sale.  That dress?  Half off.  That new cooking gadget?  Marked down. Books, Groupons, clothing, shoes, makeup, fall decor, on and on and on...yep.  All beckoning.  The siren call.  That's what happens when you say NO to parting with your cash for 30 days.  And guess what?  It's the worst.  It's hard.  I don't like it.

In other news; 8 more days.  Sirens be darned...can't give up now!