WEEK SIX, HOW IT IS GOING>

 

Need vs. Want: The Mindset Shift That Changed My Spending Habits

When I started No‑Spend 2026 back in January, I thought the hardest part would be saying no to buying things. I imagined temptation everywhere — sales, new arrivals, cute seasonal décor, the “just because” purchases that used to sneak into my cart without a second thought.

But the real challenge wasn’t resisting the buying. It was retraining my brain.

This no‑spend year has forced me to confront something I didn’t realize was so deeply wired into my habits: the difference between what I need and what I simply want. And the more honest I became with myself, the more I realized how blurry that line had become.

The Moment I Realized I Wasn’t Actually Needing Anything

Early in the year, I caught myself reaching for my phone to order something I had convinced myself was essential — a new planner. I told myself it would help me stay organized, stay motivated, stay on track.

But then I opened a drawer and found three half‑used notebooks. Three.

That was the moment it hit me: I wasn’t craving the planner. I was craving the feeling of starting fresh.

And that feeling had nothing to do with the object itself.

Wants Disguised as Needs

Once I started paying attention, I noticed how often my wants dressed up as needs:

• “I need a new water bottle.” (No, I wanted a cuter one.)

• “I need more comfy clothes.” (No, I wanted the dopamine hit of something new.)

• “I need a new candle.” (No, I wanted comfort — and I already had candles.)

It was humbling. It was uncomfortable. And it was exactly the wake‑up call I needed.

The Pause That Changed Everything

The biggest shift came from learning to pause.

Before this year, I bought things quickly — almost automatically. If I wanted something, I got it. If I felt bored, stressed, or uninspired, I shopped. It was a reflex.

Now, when a want pops up, I stop and ask myself:

• What problem am I trying to solve?

• Is this a true need or just a momentary desire?

• Do I already own something that can do the job?

• Will this matter in 48 hours?

Most of the time, the urge fades. And when it doesn’t, I write it down on a “Buy Later” list — a list that has grown surprisingly long, even though I haven’t purchased a single thing from it.

Understanding the Emotional Side of Wanting

This no‑spend year has made me more aware of the emotional triggers behind my wants:

• Stress made me want comfort purchases.

• Boredom made me want novelty.

• Comparison made me want upgrades.

• Fatigue made me want convenience.

None of those were true needs. They were feelings asking for attention.

And once I started addressing the feelings instead of buying the fix, everything changed.

What I Actually Need (Spoiler: It’s Not Much)

The more I decluttered, cleaned, and organized, the more I realized how little I truly need:

• A functional home

• A manageable wardrobe

• A few things that bring genuine joy

• Tools that support my daily routines

• A space that feels calm, not crowded

Everything else? It’s just noise.

The Freedom of Wanting Less

The biggest surprise of this journey is how freeing it feels to want less. Not because I’m restricting myself, but because I’m finally seeing clearly.

I don’t feel deprived. I feel grounded.

I don’t feel like I’m missing out. I feel like I’m waking up.

And the best part? My home feels lighter. My mind feels clearer. My spending habits feel intentional for the first time in years.

The Mindset Shift I’m Carrying Forward

This need‑vs‑want clarity is something I know I’ll keep long after 2026 ends. It’s reshaped how I see my belongings, my habits, and myself.

I’ve learned that:

• Wants are temporary.

• Needs are steady.

• And most of the time, I already have enough.

This shift didn’t just change my spending. It changed my relationship with my home, my routines, and my sense of contentment.

And honestly? That’s worth more than anything I could have bought.

I would love to hear how it is going for you? It is so surprising to me, nor at all what I expected!

My no buy year of 2026

My First Month of the No‑Buy 2026 Challenge: What I Learned, What I Loved, and What Surprised Me

January is officially in the books, and so is my first month of the No‑Buy 2026 Challenge. When I committed to a full year of intentional spending, I knew it would stretch me — but I didn’t expect just how much clarity, discomfort, and empowerment would show up in only 31 days.

Why I Started

I didn’t join this challenge because I hate shopping. I joined because I wanted to understand my habits, my impulses, and the emotional “why” behind the things I buy. I wanted to reset my relationship with money and consumption, and to prove to myself that I can live with less — and actually enjoy it.

What I Stopped Buying

My rules for the year are simple:

• No clothing, accessories, or beauty products unless something essential runs out

• No home décor or impulse Amazon purchases

• No “just because” treats

• Yes to groceries, true necessities, and planned replacements

Even with clear rules, the first month tested me more than I expected.

The Wins 🎉

• My impulse spending dropped dramatically. I didn’t realize how often I clicked “add to cart” out of boredom or stress.

• I rediscovered what I already own. It’s amazing how many “new” things you find when you actually look through your closets and drawers.

• My savings grew. Seeing the numbers shift was incredibly motivating.

• I felt more grounded. Less shopping meant less noise — mentally and financially.

The Challenges

• The urge to “reward myself.” I didn’t expect how often I used buying something small as a mood boost.

• Social pressure. Saying no to outings that revolved around spending felt awkward at first.

• The boredom factor. Sometimes I just missed the little dopamine hit of browsing.

But each challenge taught me something valuable.

What Surprised Me Most

I thought I’d feel deprived. Instead, I felt… free. Free from the constant cycle of wanting, buying, and then wanting something else. Free from the mental clutter of “should I get this?” Free from the guilt of purchases I didn’t need.

What I’m Focusing on Next Month

• Building new habits to replace impulse shopping

• Planning no‑spend activities

• Tracking my emotional triggers

• Staying curious instead of judgmental when I slip up

February feels less intimidating now that I’ve made it through the first month. I’m excited to see how this challenge continues to shape me — not just financially, but mentally and emotionally.

If you’re doing a no‑buy challenge too, or thinking about starting one, I’d love to hear how it’s going for you. Month one is done… and I’m just getting started.

Kitchen chickens

🐔 A Chicken Sewing Video That Completely Stole My Heart

Okay, listen. I stumble across a lot of sewing videos… but every once in a while, one pops up that makes me stop mid‑scroll, grab my fabric stash, and say, “Well, guess I’m making a chicken today.”

This is that vidSew A Large Hen Basket - Free Pattern #freequiltpattern #scrappyfabrics #chicken #fatquarterseo.

Not only is the project ridiculously cute, but she shares a full‑size pattern — no squinting, no guessing, no “enlarge to 127%” nonsense. Just print, cut, sew, and boom: instant chicken joy.

And the way she explains everything? It feels like sewing with a friend who’s fun, calm, and totally okay with you pausing the video seventeen times to find your scissors. It’s charming. It’s cozy. It’s my new favorite YouTube sewing moment.

So if you’re in the mood to make something cheerful, slightly silly, and guaranteed to brighten your day, go watch it. Then make a chicken. Then make three more. Suddenly you’ve got a whole flock and zero regrets.

Memories

A Time for Memories

As I sort through the scraps of fabric for my next project, I realize they aren’t really scraps at all. They’re pieces of moments I’ve lived. A corner of a dress I once made for Zoe. A sliver of a shirt that belonged to Seth. Colors and textures that once wrapped themselves around ordinary days and made them feel like something worth remembering.

It’s funny how fabric holds memory better than we do. I pick up a floral print and suddenly I’m back in the kitchen, hemming a dress while Zoe twirled around impatiently, asking if it was ready yet. I touch a soft blue cotton and I can almost hear Seth laughing as he tried it on for the first time, pretending to model like he was on a runway.

These scraps carry the weight of those small, perfect moments — the ones that slip out of our minds but stay stitched into the things we make. Working with them now feels like opening a box of old photographs, except the memories are tactile. They’re warm. They’re alive.

Maybe that’s why this project feels different. I’m not just sewing. I’m piecing together a quiet archive of the life we’ve lived. Letting the past sit beside me for a while. Letting it remind me that even the simplest days had their own kind of beauty.

And maybe that’s what this time is for — not to dwell on what’s gone, but to honor it.

So it begins

 

🧵 Appliqué Prep: The Beautiful Mess Before the Magic

Every machine embroidery appliqué project starts with a vision — maybe a floral motif, a whimsical animal, or a bold geometric design. But before the needle hits the fabric, there’s one universal truth we all face:

Scrap chaos.

I snapped this photo while prepping for my latest appliqué adventure. If you’ve ever sorted through your stash looking for just the right shade of red or a tiny piece of green with the perfect texture, you know this scene well.

There’s interfacing, spray adhesive, a cutting mat, printed instructions, and a rainbow of fabric bits in bags and baskets. It’s organized chaos — and it’s oddly comforting. Because in this mess lies possibility.

Appliqué is all about the details. Tiny pieces. Precise placement. And the joy of finding that one scrap you forgot you had that turns out to be exactly what you needed.

I’m so glad I didn’t throw those small pieces away. They may look like clutter, but they’re the secret sauce of every appliqué project — the hidden gems that make the design come alive.

So yes, it’s messy. But it’s also magic.

Welcome to my valley

Tucked into the foothills of the majestic Cascade Mountains, our small town feels like a secret sanctuary. There’s a quiet here that settles into your bones — the kind of peace that only comes from being surrounded by nature’s grandeur. Mornings begin with mist rising off the water, and evenings end with skies like the one above, painted in fire and calm.

But don’t let the serenity fool you — this valley knows how to play. Summer brings endless opportunities to explore, and my personal favorite is boating. There’s nothing like gliding across the lake, sun on your face, mountains in the distance. And when winter rolls in, the town transforms into a snowy playground. Skiing down fresh powder with crisp air in your lungs? That’s magic.

Yes, I love it here. Not just for the beauty or the adventure — but for the way this place makes you feel like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

In a world that moves a little too fast, this valley reminds me to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the simple gifts right in front of me. Whether it’s the thrill of skimming across the water in summer or carving fresh tracks through winter snow, every season brings its own kind of joy.

But more than anything, it’s the feeling of belonging — of waking up each day knowing I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. This small town, nestled in the foothills of the Cascades, isn’t just where I live. It’s home. And I’m grateful for it every single day.

Update on the chicken Kitchen coming soon.

“Cluck Yes, I’m Making a Chicken Kitchen”

 Okay, so I have to tell you my new 2026 plan because it is peak me and you’re going to roll your eyes in the best way.

I’m doing a No‑Buy Year. Like… for real. No extra spending, no “but it was on sale,” none of that. I’m cutting myself off.

And since I apparently can’t just do things normally, I’ve decided I’m turning my kitchen into a full chicken‑themed kitchen using only the stuff I already have. No buying décor, no fabric shopping, nothing. Just me, my scrap bin, and whatever patterns I’ve hoarded over the years.

I’m basically making a chicken kitchen out of thin air.

I’ve already got a whole list going — chicken potholders, chicken tea towels, chicken bunting, little stuffed chickens to sit on the shelves… honestly, if it can have a chicken on it, I’m putting a chicken on it.

It’s going to be ridiculous and adorable and very “me,” and I’m weirdly excited about it. So yeah. 2026: No buying, all chickens.

Just wait. My kitchen is about to cluck.