My Priorities Are Shifting...

I've always known my priorities would shift as I got older and matured, but it's so interesting to sense it happening! Since it's something that's on my mind a lot lately, I thought I would share about it here...

I used to obsess over clothes, accessories, and all kinds of STUFF. I dreamed of owning a Chanel bag one day, I bought little trinkets at Target all the time, and poured all of my extra spending money into online shopping. 

However, my priorities are definitely shifting in life. The older I get the more I want to spend less and experience more. I want to see the world. I want financial stability and savings. I’m prioritizing health and experiences and quality time with Trey more than ever. I feel gross when I get focused on materialistic things.

* Now don't panic... You're not going to stop seeing outfits on here and on my Instagram! Style has always been a big part of me and I still absolutely love the thrill of finding the perfect item or styling a killer outfit. I think it's something I'll always love. I'm just going to be more intentional about what I spend my money on from here on out. *    

What I'm prioritizing more and more...

Travel!

I know, not the most original, but there has been such a spark lit inside me (within the last couple of weeks) to travel as much as possible these next 2-3 years. I've always absolutely loved travel and by the time I was 17 I had been to eight foreign countries, however I haven't left the US since then. I had an epiphany the other day that we could absolutely afford to travel more if we just prioritize it. If we put our money where our dreams are and plan wisely around work schedules, we can be the ones traveling, not the ones watching from the couch. I want to travel with Trey, with friends, and for photography jobs. I'm putting that intention out into the world! In these few more years before we start a family, I want to see as much as possible and experience allllll the things with Trey while it's still the two of us.

Our Home

Owning a home, especially a cosmetic fixer-upper, can be tedious to say the least. I imagined all of our projects being done by now, but I am happy that we've taken things slowly and only taken them on when we've had the cash saved up. We still have a lot to do in our house, but it's absolutely doable when you break it down. If we just make the effort to intentionally save for different projects, instead of letting the months and years slip by, we can keep checking off our to-do list and continue to create a beautiful home (and increase our home value). While I'm not going to stop buying decor altogether because I find it essential in creating a beautiful, peaceful space, I am going to be mindful about what I buy and will always have a plan for what I'm buying. I'm not allowing myself any more Target black-outs where I come home with all kinds of random trinkets. Everything purchased will be for a reason!  

Our Health

Health and wellness have become huge passions of mine as you know. The more I learn about nutrition, the more I want to keep learning and to help others around me. It's amazing how much of your life can be affected through good nutrition and a clean, holistic lifestyle! While clean eating, supplements, essential oils, etc. can be a bit more of an investment than ramen and canned corn and run-of-the-mill frozen chicken, I truly can't think of a better investment than our health. Our bodies are the vehicles taking us through life. I'll hopefully get to be a mom someday and then live to know my grandchildren and to see more of the world, so why wouldn't I want to treat my body well? Ever since I've started a very intentional game plan with my diet and health, I've been seeing big changes and want that momentum to continue...  

Finances/Savings

I'll be the first to admit that finance stuff does not come easily to me. It's always overwhelmed me and I've now spent years with little-to-no game plan just living paycheck to paycheck and doing fine, but not doing anything particularly wise with our money. Up until now I haven't even had any regular, monthly savings in place and I've finally reached the point where that's not going to cut it anymore! I want to do more with my life and to be financially stable, regardless of what our incomes are. So, right now I'm working to set up automatic savings out of my paycheck each month, I'm going to work on being more mindful and minimal with spending, I'm going to set up an IRA for photography income, and I'm going to hustle extra hard at my side gigs so that I have more in savings to put toward our other priorities. Even though this is a scary transition and our monthly budgets will be a bit tighter, I have peace knowing that we'll be setting ourselves up for more travel, a higher home value, and more financial stability in the future.   

dress: sold out Zara, similar here, here & here  |  earrings  |  similar sandals  |  similar bags here & here

  

Have you noticed your priorities changing as you get older and wiser? Let me know your experience!

Cool side note on these photos... Jo and I and our friend Divina were doing a photoshoot around Austin, and this darling nursery was across the street from one of our locations. While they were shooting I walked over to peek over the fences since it was closed. The owner's son happened to be there and invited us in to take photos! We actually came in by hopping the fence! 

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