Hi, my name is Kayla McCulloch and I can willingly admit that I am a hoarder. I keep everything from old receipts to empty gift cards to gum wrappers at the bottom of my purse. I cannot even begin to cover all of the things that I have stockpiled throughout the years, but what I can do is elaborate on how it makes me feel: discombobulated. I also just wanted an excuse to use that word, but it is totally how I feel. I have recently noticed that I prefer to spend my money on concerts, trips, and events instead of materialistic things.
Looking back on the past year, my favorite memories have all involved some type of concert, vacation, even vacations for concerts. Don’t get me wrong, I fully support retail therapy because sometimes you have to splurge and treat yourself on those shoes that you have been eyeing for weeks. You deserve it. My policy is always this: if I cannot stop thinking about whatever it is that I want after 24-48 hours, then it is worth the purchase. This never seems to fail. At the end of the day, though, at least for me, I almost always savor experiences more than possessions.
It might sound like common sense, but I think everyone needs that reminder once in awhile. “Stuff” is great, we all need to have “stuff.” With birthdays and anniversaries and all sorts of other occasions, you are bound to receive even more “stuff” for the rest of your life. You are the only one in charge of what you do with your income, though. Why not do something really incredible with it?
If there is anything that I have learned these past few years, it is that life is way too short. Go to a concert. See a musical. Visit a museum. Go to a music festival. Go on a trip. You could even donate it to a great cause, one that is very close to your heart or that you truly believe in. There is so much potential here and the possibilities are endless. I know that reflecting back on these events will undoubtedly bring up so many emotions and fond memories.
My hope for you reading this is that you take the chance to study abroad in Asia or Europe or drive cross-country on a road trip with your best friends to see something as random as the world’s largest chess piece (located in my beautiful hometown of St. Louis, Missouri). Not to sound too cheesy, but isn’t that what life is all about? Creating memories that will last forever? I also hope while you are reading this you are getting the ‘08 hit song “Live Your Life” by T.I. (featuring Rihanna) stuck in your head. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t humming it to myself as I type this.
In all seriousness, next time you find yourself with some extra cash, switch it up from the usual and be spontaneous. In the wise words of Rihanna on the chorus, “no tellin where it’ll take ya, just live your life.”
