Project Simplify!

Want to join in on an easy-peasy simplifying project? Head over to simplemom.net and join in for the month-long Project Simplify. I'm doing it! And you should too!

Do Nothing

It's been nearly a month since my last post and boy has it flown by. I'm not sure where the last 3-4 weeks have gone, but I know they were busy. Not simply with deadlines, meetings, and projects, but with emotional hurdles as well. Those take up time too, unfortunately.

We did get a night away from the kids last weekend and we visited my sister-in-law and brother-in-law at the coast. The time went all too quickly, especially since we did...well...nothing. I never "do nothing". I can't in my own home. There's always something that has to be done. Something that I feel I should be doing. But it was my sister-in-law's house and there were no children to take care of, no housework or projects that followed me there. I sat still for more than 15 minutes. I drank coffee and chatted and laughed. I played Mario Kart with my husband and sister-in-law. I watched a movie and didn't have to pause any scary/inappropriate parts because a certain five year old was caught sneaking out of bed. I strolled along the beach. I slept in. I went out to lunch. It was peaceful. I was doing nothing and it was fantastic.

It doesn't quite count as "doing nothing", but I made the decision to take the next two terms off from school. I've been going non-stop for the last year and I was beginning to get burnt out. My kids were beginning to lament my workload and I feel like they need my attention for a little while. And once I saw the looks of excitement and joy on their faces when I told them I was taking a break, I knew it was the right decision.

So as of today, I am done with the current term and will be homework-free for the next six months. It feels like an awfully long time, but I am welcoming the break. I will play with my kids. I will read for fun. I will get some long-neglected household projects done - and include the kids in them (they've actually been asking to help with projects!). It's a temporary simplification, but sometimes even just a short break can make a world of difference.

Minimalism

When I wrote my last post, I had just discovered the becoming minimalist website after a friend happened to post something from the facebook page. Over the past two weeks or so, I've been eating up anything posted from becoming minimalist and I discovered that my desire for a simpler life aligns perfectly with minimalism. I didn't know it. I had always had it in my head that to be minimalist meant to be on the extreme side of simplicity, but now I know that it's not true. There are people who go the extreme route, but the general basis of a minimalist lifestyle is to have what you need, to not spend money on unnecessary items (putting yourself in a better place financially), and to limit the amount of clutter in your life. That is what I want and what I have been striving for.

Yes, it flies in the face of our society "norms" and I think I've already weird-ed out a couple of people by proclaiming my new found interest in minimalism. In fact, one person I know has barely spoken to me since I began my simplicity journey. As soon as I made the decision to not take part in the over-scheduled "mommy wars", I was shut out. And that's unfortunate. I'm not doing this to make myself feel like I'm better than anyone else or that I take care of my family better than other moms. It was a personal decision based upon the realization that my family suffers when I am overwhelmed and stressed out, and I didn't want to live like that anymore. Not everyone functions the same way I do and I can absolutely respect that, but I also know that my decision might make some people uncomfortable. I may lose more friends on this journey and I may gain some - who knows?

I don't see myself becoming an extreme minimalist. I have kids and they have toys, I like to own lots of books for mental stimulation, and I own more than two pairs of shoes. But I find joy in reducing our belongings and getting rid of the things we don't need - the things that clutter our lives and take up space. If it doesn't bring me joy, it doesn't need to be in my home. I enjoy seeing our bank account become stronger because I've cut down on our purchases. I want to travel with our kids and I know that the less I buy, the closer we get being able to afford those travels (without debt) and the memories that will come with them.

That's why I'm on this journey.