what I would do if money wasn’t a thing
I haven’t even finished the article that inspired me to write this but I have to start writing while these thoughts are all fresh in my mind. Truthfully, I think about this specific topic a lot and I try to let it guide my decision-making and ground me when I’m spiraling about what I’m gonna do with my life.
If money wasn’t a thing I would be a mother (God willing).
If money wasn’t a thing I would have a huge greenhouse filled with fresh veggies, herbs, and flowers and I’d be able to feed my friends and family seasonal and healthier foods.
If money wasn’t a thing I would definitely have farm animals — chickens, cows (beef and dairy), a horse, and for sure some sheep.
If money wasn’t a thing I’d get my labs done and take the time to find a holistic doctor (ope).
If money wasn’t a thing I’d try more hobbies.
If money wasn’t a thing I think I’d go to law school, not because I want to be a lawyer but because I’m really interested in learning about the constitution, tax law, etc. I really want to know the law.
Oops I just made myself sad. Money restricts some of our basic, human desires to just enjoy life and, on the flip side, if you make enough of it, it gives you the abundance you need in this world to have almost all that you desire. I’m of the belief that you can make as much money as you want (though it’s not that simple) and I really don’t try to live in a scarcity world but I’m also realistic enough to know that in order to make more money you have to start with less (duh) — so how do we find the happy medium that lives in the less (while possibly working towards more)? Spoiler alert: I don’t know.
[Inserted after the article was finished]: I realize this article is a bit more geared toward what career would you have if money wasn’t a thing but if money wasn’t a thing, I wouldn’t have a career. Not in the modern way anyways — of course I would want to contribute to my household and to society but my idea of that doesn’t involve opening a coffee shop or working in a library.
The first thing on my list — being a mother — man. Sitting with that makes me… uneasy. I’ll be 30 this year, with no children, not exactly the way I pictured my life. What’s even worse? I have the husband. The good husband, the one who loves unconditionally, puts me first, and who would quite literally lay his life down for me without a second thought. I have the husband who would make the most amazing father. I know money is the reason why we haven’t tried in the past or why we haven’t started trying now but when you say it out loud, when the words actually leave your lips, it somehow sounds even more depressing than it actually is. This sort of ties back to my wrestle with surrender and what it really looks like. Is God actually calling me to motherhood? Even though it’s scary and I feel like I’ll go broke or it’ll put a huge financial strain on my marriage that’ll cause stress and resentment towards one another? Is he asking me to trust that he’ll provide? Or is he asking me to put aside the personal desire I have to be a mother because it’s not the responsible thing to do? Or is he asking me to put aside my desire for financial security and put my faith in Him (see what I mean when I tell you I spiral)? This so obviously isn’t the time or the place and I definitely need to pray on it more but the root of my objections in the first place is money (and, if we’re being honest, it sounds like a lack of faith too — double sad).
We’re gonna take a brief pause here because I’m actually having a live spiral right now as I write this thinking “literally who cares?” and “why are you writing this, would you even want to read this, this offers no value whatsoever!” but it’s fine, everything’s fine. Back to our regularly scheduled programming.
I realize that a greenhouse and farm animals would probably be possible if I didn’t currently have another full-time responsibility… so perhaps the question isn’t what would I do if money wasn’t a thing? instead, what would I do if a career wasn’t a thing? and they really go hand-in-hand, don’t they? At least in this current world, I think they do. Good career = good money. However, I don’t feel like burning myself out with a million responsibilities so I have to stick with the ones that actually make the money we need to live. Sometimes I dream of being barefoot in my (non-existent) garden though. Sometimes…
I romanticize the idea of growing my own food for my family, of knowing exactly how it was planted and harvested. I fantasize about raising my own animals and knowing exactly where the meat, milk, and eggs in my fridge came from. I realize this is a trending topic right now and I don’t care — of all things to trend, this is one of my favorites because really, what’s wrong with wanting to know exactly where your food comes from and getting personal with it?
Basically, it all boils down to this: if money wasn’t a thing I’d just be a girl. Raise a few kids, grow some food, love my husband, and learn about whatever my little heart desires. I would be whimsical as heck. What would you do if money wasn’t a thing?
