The Simplify Sunday series is going to be about minimalism in every area of life. Today it is about simplifying my thinking and how I define success. It’s funny how you don’t realize the ideas that are running around in your brain until you truly think about it.

Recently, a friend and I were discussing my blog entry on My Stitchfix Stash. She mentioned how crazy it is that we have reached a point in life where I can buy $98 pants and she can buy $50 shirts (something that had happened earlier this year that we marveled over); and that we have come a long way.

My first reaction to this was guilt. It was hard for me to even post the prices of that stuff. I feel like I shouldn’t be spending the money, I should be buying something less expensive. It is great to be able to buy things that I like and be able to pay for them, but that doesn’t feel like success to me. You know what success does feel like to me? Freedom. Is this tied to money? Sure, in many ways- but not in all of them.

I now have the freedom to take a weekend off and visit Seattle. I took the picture above on a run around Lake Union, and looking at that gorgeous view feels so relaxing, even now.

It’s the feeling of not having to go to the second job I had for so many years after work. Instead, I can take my dog to the park and know that I can pay my bills. I can run and play with him and feel free.

I am a worrier. This isn’t my baby, but I have worried that if I had a baby I wouldn’t be able to provide for them. I am just now getting to the point where I can simply be. I don’t need to worry as much, I have been able to save some for retirement, and I’m sure I could get another job if I lost mine. I could have that baby that I’ve been wanting, and be able to support them just fine. I still obsess about retirement, but I know that I’m doing what I can and I need to let it go.

This is what success feels like to me. It’s a little bit of guilt, over becoming middle class after a lifetime of struggling. Why me and not someone else? Primarily, though, it is freeing. I can go to the store and buy organic produce and not worry about paying the electric bill. I can save for the future, which takes away some of my anxiety. It turns out, in my mind success is just the feeling of freedom. That’s what I was looking for all this time. I thought it was more money and a better career, but it was all mental. I need to work on simplifying my thinking and remembering what really makes me happy.

What does success look like to you?

Jillian