Ever just wanna be done with something? Maybe a diet for a special event? Maybe the special event? Maybe a garage sale? Maybe a drive? You're getting the gist, right? Well, I'm there. Last night I had my breaking moment. I'm only half way done with recovery from surgery and I very much want to be done.
I was accustomed to my pre-surgery daily routine. I would do a load of laundry, choose a meal for dinner, pay a bill, and shop for the day's groceries in the morning. I needed an hour power nap in the early afternoon. I would clean-up between 4-5 so my husband would be oh-so-happy when he got home from work. I started cooking at 5 and I was done at 6pm. And I do mean done. I did not go out. I stayed off the computer. I was lucky to stay awake past 9pm. And I was up early the next day to start my routine again. My version of minimalism served me well, but that was then, this is now.
I don't like asking for help with basic things. I hate being exhausted even more quickly than before. My power hour nap takes a good portion of the afternoon. Cooking consists of tossing a frozen meal in the slow cooker. Yes, I made those meals before I had surgery. I just really miss the creative outlet of choosing and preparing our dinner each day.
What's missing from the picture is gratitude. The whiney-butt that I am is not seeing all the things for which there are to be thankful. A diet is a chance to choose healthy food for my body. A special event is a chance to connect and maybe celebrate with family and friends. A garage sale is a chance to bless others with items I no longer use and maybe earn a little cash. A drive means I have a car with places to go and things/people to see. Recovery is a chance to let others do for me. It's a chance to let my body heal and be better than before. With success, I won't have the limitations I did before surgery. I would like to keep my routine, for it served me well. Being healthier is a chance to go beyond my routine and serve more people. That is what's in my heart; service to others. Shame on me for not accepting the service others share with me during my time of healing.
I see now, reading back through this very post, that my version of minimalism needs to focus on gratitude. Contentment is at the heart of happiness. I believe one reaches contentment through gratitude. I not only have enough, I am enough, and I am grateful for the many blessings in my life even if it takes a raw and honest post to work through the whiney-butt phases.
Showing posts with label Routine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Routine. Show all posts
Monday, March 14, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
It All Adds Up
I'm working on decluttering my sugar intake. I will begin my journey by starting my each day with a smoothie. I would normally stock up on a week's worth of food for one recipe, not knowing if I like it. And then, if I don't, the food is wasted. I have a different mindset knowing I'll be at the store each day; everything can change tomorrow.
Isn't that an interesting thought; everything can change tomorrow. Like any major change, the first steps are little and oh-so subtle. You often can't see any change, things seem like they will never change, but they are. They're changing because you're trying. Don't stop trying. The little things add up. Give yourself time. Make it through today. Make it through tonight. Everything is changing. It's the only constant.
I will try many recipes in my journey. I will keep trying. I will find something that works. I may even find multiple things that work. The little changes will add up. I will see the change. I will feel the change.
Isn't that an interesting thought; everything can change tomorrow. Like any major change, the first steps are little and oh-so subtle. You often can't see any change, things seem like they will never change, but they are. They're changing because you're trying. Don't stop trying. The little things add up. Give yourself time. Make it through today. Make it through tonight. Everything is changing. It's the only constant.
I will try many recipes in my journey. I will keep trying. I will find something that works. I may even find multiple things that work. The little changes will add up. I will see the change. I will feel the change.
Friday, December 25, 2015
I'm Ready
Courtney Carver is one of my favorite minimalist. She is the founder of #project333 which is the inspiration for my capsule wardrobe. She recently made a post entitled 10 Ways to Create a Routine with Joyful Discipline. With the new year coming up quick, it's an excellently timed read. The content is wonderful and, as I'm learning about creating posts for the general population, the site is a prime example of how to do things correctly. Great job Courtney!!
I love routine and setting goals. Courtney's concept of pivoting to change one's routines if they are not beneficial is critical. She also uses the terms inflation and deflation for adjustments made to daily routines based on one's energy. These concepts are similar to the spoon theory I use to address my energy crises. I've learned the hard way that I need to establish a realistic base line. I currently have a comfortable routine in place, would like to take steps to expand.
It just so happens, last month I invited several women to participate in a collaboration event. We will meet on a monthly basis with a different person hosting the event each time. The goal is to help the host with a task she assigns. The group serves, has fun, bonds, and grows. I'm excited to foster my relationships in this way. I am both collaborating and rotating my routine, as Courtney suggests in her post. Winning!
Recently I accepted a position, three days a week, as a driver. Believe it or not, this is job is a form of self care. I chose this job because it has flexibility, fits my physical limitations, has a team atmosphere, and should never boring. I will still have a day to "unroutine", in Courtney's terms.
While many people are focused on making subtractions in their schedules, I am confident making these additions. I have made great progress in my minimalist journey and believe I am choosing wisely. I am focused on self care and growing friendships. The money I earn will be used toward goals set jointly by my husband and myself. I'm ready!
I love routine and setting goals. Courtney's concept of pivoting to change one's routines if they are not beneficial is critical. She also uses the terms inflation and deflation for adjustments made to daily routines based on one's energy. These concepts are similar to the spoon theory I use to address my energy crises. I've learned the hard way that I need to establish a realistic base line. I currently have a comfortable routine in place, would like to take steps to expand.
It just so happens, last month I invited several women to participate in a collaboration event. We will meet on a monthly basis with a different person hosting the event each time. The goal is to help the host with a task she assigns. The group serves, has fun, bonds, and grows. I'm excited to foster my relationships in this way. I am both collaborating and rotating my routine, as Courtney suggests in her post. Winning!
Recently I accepted a position, three days a week, as a driver. Believe it or not, this is job is a form of self care. I chose this job because it has flexibility, fits my physical limitations, has a team atmosphere, and should never boring. I will still have a day to "unroutine", in Courtney's terms.
While many people are focused on making subtractions in their schedules, I am confident making these additions. I have made great progress in my minimalist journey and believe I am choosing wisely. I am focused on self care and growing friendships. The money I earn will be used toward goals set jointly by my husband and myself. I'm ready!
Monday, December 7, 2015
Monday Decluttering Reset
The weekends are pleasantly full in our house. Our kids are in and out with activities, my husband and I try to get out of the house for an activity, and the dogs love all the attention they get. Inevitably, Monday is a reset with the amount of clean up there is to do. I make the choice to save all cleaning until the work week because I consider housekeeping my job as I do not work outside the home. The weekend if for the family.
The routine is different from my focused 15 minutes. Monday is devoted to the decluttering reset so I can slowly progress through everything. I start with a long shower with my favorite tunes. I pamper myself with lotions and potions. The house gets the same type of treatment. It's very cathartic.
Here are the before and after pictures.
My husband asks me daily, "How did your day go?" I usually give a neutral response of, "Ok." The surprising thing is when I start to tell him what I've accomplished in a day, he always calls me on my neutral response. He knows I'm a rockstar, even if I'm not sure. Last month, I challenged myself to no whining. This month I will choose to be positive and accept that I am enough. Life is good.
The routine is different from my focused 15 minutes. Monday is devoted to the decluttering reset so I can slowly progress through everything. I start with a long shower with my favorite tunes. I pamper myself with lotions and potions. The house gets the same type of treatment. It's very cathartic.
Here are the before and after pictures.
My husband asks me daily, "How did your day go?" I usually give a neutral response of, "Ok." The surprising thing is when I start to tell him what I've accomplished in a day, he always calls me on my neutral response. He knows I'm a rockstar, even if I'm not sure. Last month, I challenged myself to no whining. This month I will choose to be positive and accept that I am enough. Life is good.
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