Julie Gumm - Author

The Best Advice for Learning to Be Content

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In my last post I talked about how damaging it is to compare ourselves to others. It makes it really hard to be content. So DON’T compare.

But what can you DO to live in a place of contentment.

Focus on gratitude.

In her book “1000 Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are,” Ann Voskamp has this quote, which I love!

“When I give thanks for the seemingly microscopic, I make a place for God to grow within me.” 

For example, when I’m doing the 12th load of laundry for the weekend and am tempted to grumble about the never-ending pile of dirty clothes (which can quickly spiral into the “why do I have to do everything” pity party), I stop.

I start listing the things I have to be thankful for.

  • I’m thankful I don’t have to wash my clothes by hand.
  • I’m thankful for detergent I can buy at the store that works.
  • I’m thankful for dryers. Because I hate putting on crunchy jeans.
  • I’m thankful that we have so many clothes to wear.
  • I’m thankful that my washer and dryer are inside my air conditioned home.

What are some “microscopic” things you can be thankful for in an area where you struggle being content?

 

The #1 Way to Kill Your Contentment

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I’m knee deep in prepping to speak at a women’s conference on one of my favorite topics – contentment.

Usually we think of contentment in terms of material goods, but it can affect all areas of our lives.

Are you content in your career, your marriage, your health? Are you okay with where you are in life, or are you already searching for the next great adventure?

The number one thing you can do to kill your contentment?

COMPARE

Comparisons will kill your contentment quicker than you can say “If only…”

Someone is always going to have a nicer house than you, be going on that exotic vacation you long for, and have kids that seem better behaved.

The grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence. But how much money did they have to spend on fertilizer? How many back-breaking hours have the spent caring for the lawn. You will probably never know.

What you may not realize is that your neighbor is drowning in debt to pay for that huge house. Or that exotic vacation is the result of a work bonus they earned after a year of working 80+ hour weeks and sacrificing family time. And NOBODY’S kids are perfect.

When we started on our debt-free journey, it helped me shift my perspective and realize that a lot of those awesome “things” I thought I wanted came with too much debt. It simply wasn’t worth it to me anymore.

So identify where you struggle with contentment. Then figure out how you can stop comparing. For example, during my one-year no shopping challenge I stayed away from the mall. I didn’t read fashion magazines or browse the online catalogs of my favorite stores. It helped tremendously.

If you are discontent with your house, don’t go looking at model homes. Stop browsing all the awesome home ideas on Pinterest. Stop watching HGTV.

Comparisons kill contentment.