For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
My husband and I recently spent nearly two weeks visiting family in an area with limited cell service. What at first seemed inconvenient turned into an unexpected gift—a digital detox that opened my eyes to just how much our phones and social media influence our daily lives and, more importantly, our contentment.
Without the constant ping of notifications or the habitual reach for my phone, I found myself fully present in moments that might otherwise have been interrupted by digital distractions. Time seemed to slow down. Most surprisingly, I discovered a release from what I now recognize as a significant mental load—the constant stream of information, comparisons, and perceived needs that our phones deliver in just minutes.
Upon returning home, the contrast became startlingly clear. Within minutes, I found myself slipping back into familiar patterns:
It’s crazy how quickly these habits resurfaced and how significantly they affected my sense of contentment. A mere five-minute scroll through social media could transform my calm morning into a wishlist of things I suddenly “needed” to improve my life.
As we approach the holiday season, these challenges intensify. The already persuasive world of digital marketing kicks into high gear with:
The combination of increased marketing and the genuine desire to create special holiday memories can make maintaining contentment feel nearly impossible.
I want to be intentional about how I’m consuming content on my phone. I want to be mindful of my wants and needs. I want to fight for contentment in a world that’s trying to convince me that I constantly need more. I’ve settled on three key strategies to help me fight for contentment in this digital age.
The simple act of talking about our desired purchases can be pretty powerful. I’ve implemented a “talk it out” rule with my husband that includes:
I’ve found that simply saying, “I want to buy this new ___ because the influencer I follow made it look so ___,” often leads to the realization that I can get by with something I already have.
Break down the definition of needs and wants for yourself. Here are my descriptions:
Immediate Needs: Items that impact daily functioning.
Delayed Needs: Items that will eventually be necessary but aren’t urgent.
Mindful Wants: Items that would genuinely enhance daily life, add to existing hobbies, or align with long-term goals.
Impulse Wants: Items inspired by social media or ads, trend-driven purchases.
For example, I’d really like to buy an electric kettle and a teapot to make tea easier this winter. This falls into my “Mindful Wants” category because while these items would enhance my daily routine, they’re not essential. By adding them to my Christmas list instead of making an immediate purchase, I’m:
I have added one mindful expectation to this system: if I find items from my want list second-hand at a great price, I allow myself to purchase them. This approach:
If I’m tempted to make an unnecessary purchase every time content pops up from a particular creator, I mindfully unfollow that account. While so many accounts provide helpful resources, if the products they’re sharing are not “Immediate Needs,” then I’m just introducing more discontentment into my life.
Here are a few more tips for managing digital influences:
Pursuing contentment in a digital age is about progress, not perfection. I still find myself sucked into the scroll-and-want cycle some days. Having these strategies in place helps me recognize those moments more quickly and redirect my attention to what truly matters.
My goal isn’t to completely disconnect from the digital world or never make another purchase. Instead, I want to develop a healthier relationship with technology and consumption, one that allows me to stay connected and enjoy modern conveniences without sacrificing my sense of contentment or gratitude for what I already have.
As we enter the holiday season, remember that the most meaningful moments rarely come from the latest must-have items. They come from the connections we nurture, the traditions we maintain, and the contentment we choose to cultivate, regardless of what our screens might suggest we’re missing.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for providing exactly what we need and for loving us exactly as we are. When we are tempted to want more and to feel like we aren’t enough, remind us that our contentment is found in You alone. Help us to steward our time and resources wisely, keeping our hearts focused on eternal treasures rather than earthly wants.
Amen
Ally is the primary founder of For This House. She just finished renovating a cute, old house in small town Washington where she lives with her husband and young son. Ally is a teacher by trade, but also enjoys library cookbooks and watching Downton Abbey. Learn more about Ally.