Word count: 442 Reading time: 3.4 min.
Last Friday, I took our daughter to Disney on Ice. It was a last-minute decision that almost didn’t happen.
Not because of schedules or logistics but because I knew what came with it: overpriced wands, flashing bubble toys, and snacks that cost more than the ticket itself. I didn’t love the idea of spending the night saying “no” over and over again. For a moment, I even considered skipping it altogether to avoid the stress.
But then I reminded myself that experiences matter more than things. So, instead of holding onto the fear of clutter, meltdowns, and wasted money, I decided to let go and go in with a plan.
Before we left, I gave my daughter a little pep talk:
"When we get there, you'll see people selling all kinds of cool stuff. But it's cheaply made and won't last. So, just a heads-up—Mommy is not buying anything tonight. But you can bring your wand from home."
That $1 wand (also cheaply made but already ours) did the job. She waved and danced with it all night, completely content. And we walked out with only one purchase—bottled water.
That night, I let go of expectations, external pressure, and the idea that buying something would improve the experience. I was reminded how powerful contentment is—it allows us to focus on what we already have instead of chasing the next thing consumerism dangles in front of us.
And to be clear—this isn't about shaming parents who bought the wands or the stuffies. I get it. But our toy bins (and my mental space) are at capacity.
