It’s two weeks later, and I would say I’ve made real progress, mostly in my closet. Now let me preface by saying that nothing worth having comes easy, this includes a new outlook on your seemingly dwindling wardrobe. BUT, I am happy to report that hard work does pay off… and to the tune of a super comfy/cute outfit that covers my now burgeoning belly! WOO HOO!

So here’s how the past two weeks in Amanda’s closet have gone down…

It began with an e-mail after a super emotional morning when, of course, I had “nothing to wear!” This email was the wake up call I needed to whip me back into shape and to get me thinking about how blessed I truly am and how vast my wardrobe really is. So, the first step was inventory. I got to work trying on as much of my pre-baby wardrobe as I could. Wiggling in and out of things wasn’t easy, but I was happy to find several pieces that still worked for me! Then I did an inventory of my maternity clothes. I don’t have much, but so far I’ve been pretty smart about buying good staples and things that will transition from summer into fall and stretch with each unavoidable pound.Then came the fun stuff… I took a look through all of my accessories: belts, shoes, hats, scarves, and jewelry. I was pretty impressed with what I actually have. There were so many things that I had forgotten about over time. There is a strange calm and sense of gratitude in understanding what you actually possess.

Final Step: Building a new outfit. I started with a pre-preggy dress that was “oversized” at one point in time. I quickly grabbed a black camisole and my new maternity leggings, and VOILA, new outfit! Since my bump isn’t extremely pronounced yet, I like to wear belts. I want people to be able to tell I’m pregnant and not just eating burritos everyday, so I stuck on a gold braided one with my gold peep-toe wedges. I have to say I’m pretty pleased! I kept the jewelry simple for daytime, but I think this would be pretty easy to dress up with some chunky jewelry.

So what does this mean? Well, several things… First off, I actually do have something to wear! I’m abundantly blessed with way more than I need. Secondly, I haven’t lost my creativity or my fashion sense by becoming a mom; and in fact, the challenge is inspiring and encouraging as I look forward to my last few months of pregnancy. Lastly, what is important is not about what I have or what I look like, but how I feel in this body that God has given me. I’m one-of-a-kind. He planned me, built me, and filled me with life. It’s my responsibility to use these tools He’s given me. If I spend my time worrying about what I don’t have and whining about what I do, I’m not fulfilling my purpose here.

“Are you trying to say that we should never buy new things…?”Now, I do want to be clear about something. One of my dear friends asked me a very valid question after I posted my last blog, she said, “Are you trying to say that we should never buy new things when we want them?” NO, that’s not at all what I want you to take away from this. For me the issue was focusing on the things I wanted, so much so, that I made myself believe I needed it, and it kept me from seeing and appreciating what I already had. I’m now convinced that even if I had bought new things, I would still feel unsatisfied. And look, clothing just happened to be the subject of my desire, but this same strategy applies to every aspect of life. Think about relationships, work, school, church, etc. When you get caught up in what you don’t have, it can be hard to see how great what you DO have really is. It’s not a bad thing to get something you want every once in a while, but make sure when you do that you can appreciate it for what it is and be thankful for it.

This isn’t the end of my journey to appreciate what I have. Like I said before, it all started with my closet. And as much as I have learned through this process, I know I have a long way to go in other areas. Keep reading, and I’ll keep you posted on how things are going.