Letting Go of 'I Need' and Embracing Enough

Somewhere between diaper changes, an endless to-do list, and stretching the grocery budget, I realized I had slowly forgotten how to be content with what I already have.

I was laying down with my 2-month-old, scrolling through our weekly budget, when the weight of our new reality hit me again. I had finally stepped into the dream of staying home with our two children, something I had prayed and worked very hard to make a reality.

But along with that dream came tighter margins, smaller budgets, and a whole lot of stretching. Groceries to buy. Animals to feed. Repairs around the farm that always seem to pop up at the worst possible time. And all of it happening inside a half-finished home we’ve now lived in for two years.

Even in the middle of all that gratitude, I found myself slipping into moments of sadness, missing the lifestyle we used to afford, wishing for things I absolutely did not need. It’s humbling how quickly our hearts can drift toward wanting… even when we already have every single thing we prayed for.

And if I’m honest, social media doesn’t make it any easier. The perfectly curated homes. The clothing hauls. The “you need this” culture. The pressure to keep up, fit in, and maintain an image that is not only unrealistic, but totally unnecessary.

My heart loves where I am today. My brain, however, still gets caught in that loop of:

“I need. I need. I need.” And it leaves me feeling frustrated when I can’t buy the things I want or join in on the trends I used to.

So I’m learning, slowly, to pause, take a breath, and remind myself that contentment is something I cultivate, not something I buy. My worth is not found in possessions or appearances; it is rooted in Christ alone.

"He said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'"

LUKE 12:15 NIV

This truth grounds me every time. My life, my calling as a mother, wife, homemaker; cannot be measured in sweaters, décor, makeup, or the size of our grocery budget.

The holidays are loud. The sales are constant. And the pressure to “keep up” feels stronger than any other time of year. Here are the intentional habits I’m choosing to help quiet the noise.

Reading My Bible 

With kids tugging at us, to-do lists a mile long, and the emotional overload of the holidays, the Word often becomes the first thing to slip, yet it’s the one thing we need most.

Action Step:
Set aside 15 minutes each morning, before your day starts, to sit with Scripture.

Quieting the Noise and Hitting Unsubscribe

Those “SALE TODAY ONLY!” emails are designed to trigger impulse buying and comparison. They whisper, “You’re missing out,” when in reality, you’re not. This season I am hitting unsubscribe from all emails that no longer serve me and my lifestyle.

Action Step:
Spend 15 minutes today clearing out promotional emails and unsubscribing from anything that nudges you toward spending out of emotion, not necessity.

Shop With a List and Ask “Why?” Before Buying

Impulse purchases are at an all-time high in December. Before heading out shopping or scrolling online, I’m creating a list of only what we truly need or what’s already planned for gifts.

Before buying anything not on the list, I’ll ask myself:

Why am I buying this?

Is it to feel more put-together?

Is it to keep up appearances?

Is this purchase solving a real need — or filling a temporary feeling?

If it doesn’t serve a real purpose, it goes on my “Maybe Later” list.

A Prayer for the Heart Struggling With Comparison

Lord, help me remember that my worth is found in You alone. Guard my heart from the noise and temptation of this world — from greed, comparison, and the pressure to want more than I need. Teach me to find joy in simplicity, peace in less, and contentment in every season. Amen.



If this post encouraged you today, I hope you’ll share it with another mom who might need a gentle reminder that she is enough, even with less.