The Power of Resourcefulness: Using What You Already Have

What’s up wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people 💛
Thank you so much for checking out MaryamsJoyfulLife today. It’s a beautiful day, and I’m grateful you’re here.

Today, I want to share a simple lesson I recently learned—and one I was able to teach my kids at the same time—about resourcefulness, creativity, and choosing a different path instead of the most convenient one.

We were out returning a few items we had sent back to vendors. As usual, we stopped by the UPS store near our home, scanned the QR codes, and had the labels printed. Everything was going smoothly until we got to one item. I didn’t have the right-sized box for it. The employee let me know that if I wanted to purchase a box, it would cost an extra $5.

Now, I could have easily paid the $5—but I didn’t want to. This was a return meant to put money back in my pocket, not take more out. Especially since returns with this vendor were supposed to be free.

So I paused for a moment. Instead of reacting quickly, I thought, There has to be another way.

I told the kids we’d complete the return that was ready and come back later for the other one. As we stepped outside, I looked around and realized there was a Dollar Tree right across the street. I said, “Let’s walk over there and see if they have an empty box they’re throwing away.”

We went inside, politely asked an employee if they had a spare box, and they happily gave us one. I also asked if I could use a bit of tape, and they allowed that too. We packed up the item, taped the box, walked back to UPS, scanned the QR code, printed the label, and sent it off—problem solved.

No extra money spent.
A little walking.
A practical lesson learned.

Why am I sharing this?

Because in life, we often jump straight to the costliest or most complicated solution. We make problems feel bigger than they really are. We stress, overthink, analyze, and delay—when the answer is often right in front of us.

Sometimes the solution isn’t painful or hard. It just requires a small step. A step outside our comfort zone. A step that feels different from what’s convenient.

When we sit too long thinking instead of acting, frustration grows. Time is wasted. Patience wears thin. And the problem lingers longer than it ever needed to.

So here’s my question for you:
What is that one thing you’ve been putting off right now?

You’re standing right there, feeling confused or overwhelmed, thinking the answer has to be difficult. Take a deep breath. Pause. Look around. The solution may already be within reach—waiting for one simple action to move you forward.

Thank you so much for reading MaryamsJoyfulLife today. I truly appreciate you.
Have a beautiful day—and don’t let anybody steal your joy 💛✨