Ultimately, motherhood changed me in so many wonderful ways. As a tiny human took over my heart, mind and spirit, I naturally shifted toward a more authentic and simplified version of myself.
Aside from the joy and love (plus the years of lost sleep and bags under my eyes) I gained from motherhood, it also allowed me to prioritize what’s important in life. My spending habits changed during this transition.
It became less about trying to meet other people’s expectations and more about focusing on what’s going to create a fulfilling life. The high of chasing trends and spending frivolously just isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.
Here are five things I’ve stopped spending money on since becoming a mom.
Jewelry
Before kids, I loved keeping up with the latest styles. From chokers, anklets, and nautical-themed jewelry to a dozen bangles, I’d snatch these up from bargain stores so that I could stay in fashion without breaking the bank.
And $10 here and there for a cheap thrill created a huge collection of rusty, broken trinkets.
I remember wearing gold hoop earrings while trying to change my daughter’s diaper when she grabbed one and almost ripped my earlobe in half. After that point, I switched to studs. Then the necklaces and bracelets started going back into the jewelry box as the fears of choking hazards infiltrated my new parent mind. So jewelry is no longer on the list of things I care to spend money on.
Purses
In addition to collecting jewelry, I used to collect purses. At first, my diaper bag replaced my latest Coach purse. But I wasn’t always the one holding it. There would be times I would put my phone and wallet into the diaper bag and my husband would wander off with it.
So I switched to a wallet phone case that I slip into my pocket before heading out. Now that the kids are older, I don’t even bring the diaper bag. And all those purses are sitting in my closet, collecting dust and waiting to be donated, sold, or given to my kids when they’re older.
Uncomfortable Shoes
I started wearing heels when I was barely in high school. As a short Asian, those extra few inches made me feel like I was at the top of the world. Then when I got older and began making disposable income, I envied Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe collection.
I wanted pumps of every color, stylish stilettos that tortured my feet, and knee-high boots to pull off the equestrian look even though I’d only been on a horse once during summer camp in grade school.
As a mom, walking is my main source of physical exercise. Walks to the playground, to the park, to the library, to the store … I’d push that stroller everywhere I went. I probably accumulated enough miles for a roundtrip flight to France.
The more I walked, the more it became about comfort. Now the only pairs of shoes I wear are my sneakers, Birkenstocks. and Sorel boots, depending on the weather. I haven’t bought a pair of heels since.
Makeup
Back in my child-free days, I loved the endless hours of getting ready before a night out with my friends. I would put some R&B on, set up my makeup kit, turn on my lighted beauty mirror, and scatter numerous outfits on the bed and the floor. Then I would experiment with different looks for the evening.
To feed this habit, I needed new makeup every couple of months. From gel-liners, volume mascaras, and bee-sting lipsticks to foundations that promised to make my skin glow, I bought them all.
Now I have moldy eyeshadow palettes sitting under my sink, melting into a colorful rainbow. In the early days as a new mom, it was because I didn’t have time to do my makeup.
But as I adjusted to a fresh face, I started loving how I looked without makeup. Every wrinkle, blemish, and pore makes me who I am. I’m proud to wear the skin I’m in.
Coffee To Go
I remember the nights of staying up past midnight, pressing snooze several times before rolling out of bed and rushing to work. Then upon realizing I hadn’t had my coffee, I’d make a pitstop at the nearby Starbucks to get my fix before heading into the office.
Day after day … my routine wasn’t complete without that disposable white and green cup in my hand.
Nowadays, my kids are my alarm clock and they don’t have a snooze function. I’m forced to wake up hours before I need to go to work. This gives me plenty of time to prepare and enjoy coffee at home.
My Starbucks rewards have expired. No more fraps, pumpkin spice lattes, macchiatos, or complicated drinks that take a full minute to order — just plain, simple, home-brewed coffee with a dash of milk.
