I’m sitting here trying to be productive (sloowwwlly, the numbers in front of me are starting to make sense again), and training myself to let go of worry (takes up energy, but gets nothing solved!)… so I decided to take a break and look through my iPhoto archives & found this:
It’s Lorelai! One of my favorite babies, who happens to turn 1 year old this coming weekend! Just looking at this shot made me smile and remember that, you know – everything is just fine.
I’d stumbled across this adorable heart graphic on Tumblr sometime last year, but didn’t know it was available for purchase as a print until I embarked on single-minded Google search this morning after spotting it against someone’s wall in a blog I frequent. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who wants this on her wall:
Happy Tuesday
While I’ve had this idea to downsize and simply for about two years, I would always neglect to sit down & really plan what I meant by “simplify” and how I would actually apply the concept to my life. I’m not sure why it’s different this time around, but I won’t question it – all I know is that I had a surprise day off yesterday and was able to really think about what simplifying would entail, and how I want it to change the way I live.
In my case, the simplifying goes past halting the purchasing and collecting of needless things. I believe that simplifying my activities and interactions with others will be really beneficial to me. I’m sure I’ll hit on why at some point in this process, but right now it’s overwhelming to think too far into each facet of it – it usually causes an avalanche of thoughts & before I know it I’ve (once again) neglected to think about how I’m starting this and handling it now. I don’t want to go off on the bunny trail when I feel there is a lot of enjoyment in experiencing this change as a process, in the present.
Here’s the fun stuff, though: One thing I’ve neglected in the past year or so has been my sewing & creating. What have I been doing instead? Worrying! A bit embarrassing to admit, I’ll tell you that much. Well, once I figured that out, I decided that making random things that were formerly on my “to buy” list from things I already own but do not use, would be a great way to simplify.
One of the biggest obstacles to getting back into creating has been kick-starting the creative brainstorm in the midst of learning to balance full time work and classes. The internet would be the logical option for project ideas and instruction, but I tend to completely lose blocks of time on the internet, especially when I’m tired. Another internet con? Printing everything I find, since I like to be able to take it with me, page through it, etc. You know what’s good for that? A book (or two):
Last night, I tabbed the projects I’d like to tackle first (starting small, with a simple tote) & thought about where to get materials that I do not already own (Goodwill!). I think the trick to the next few months will be taking it as it comes – and the quote below (from this month’s Yoga Journal article by Valerie Reiss) perfectly explains the approach I want to be a part of me and my thought process:
When you hit the threshold of what you think you can stand in a situation, you watch, breathe, and allow the experience to unfold – without trying to change or turn away from it. Then what seems like a limitation can expand into a whole new experience.
I’m excited about the experience ahead – I can’t really imagine what it’ll bring, but I think I’m all right with that
I used my juicer for the first time this morning:
It involved carrots, apples, strawberries, and… radishes. WHY DID I ADD RADISHES? I am convinced they are made of chemicals, because they lent this bitter, medicinal aftertaste to the juice. I downed it anyway, and have this to report:
Yes, fresh juice in the morning is actually better than coffee.
On other fronts:
I’ve decided to add spending to my detox plan, just to see (out of pure curiosity) how much money I can save if I don’t spend money on anything aside from my regular bills, gas, food, and normal stuff like soap and laundry detergent. As my Bon Voyage gift, I took advantage of the Jcrew sale (extra 20% off sale stuff!) and managed to get a lightweight blazer (FL weather = no blazer is LIGHT ENOUGH) and the Cafe Capris:
I even had the self-control to keep the orange Wellies out of my shopping bag!
[... because they were sold out].
Today I finally visited the local Panera due to an overwhelming Summer Corn Chowder craving [it's taken me a little longer than usual to get familiar with the restaurants and coffee shops around our new office location, due to the harried shuffling to campus and back]. Inside, I met Tracy, who quickly became my OCS (Official Carb Provider) by making sure I received freshly baked baguettes ON TOP of crafting the most exquisite frozen caramel mocha (I laughed while she carefully drizzled the mocha syrup on top of the whipped cream in a perfect pattern – a perfectionist after my own heart). How can I go on and on about a trip to a place as common as Panera, you may be asking? Well, let’s see: I received warm, fresh bread AND am enjoying an amazing frozen caramel mocha right now & that’s enough to make me sublimely happy. Add to that the fact that Tracy and her coworker were amazingly nice, happy, and personable – and if you know me, you’ll know that this means I’m now fiercely loyal to the Panera near work. Nothing breeds loyalty in me quite like the mixture of caffeine, carbs, and friendliness.
Lunchtime Baguettes
PS: Panera has some great recipes on their website – if nothing else, visit the soup section (yes, I’m biased).
Today, I found that not only is Nicole Wong [one of my favorite Twitterers] an awesome runner – but she’s a great artist as well:
So if you’re looking for something to do when you’re supposed to be doing something else, mosey on down to her site or her eBay store – her work is whimsical and fun, it’ll be an instant pick-me-up <3
Run over to The Beauty of Argument and enter Miss Argument’s Esty Giveaway [last day for entry is today!] – she’s fallen for Lucinda’s Charms and wants to share the love by giving away a piece of jewelry from her shop (winner’s choice!).
I’m definitely a fan of the shop now, especially since they have two of my favorite things:
and Cephalopods!
Good Luck!
I wandered over to No Impact Man [it's been a while, but the blog is as good as ever], and was pleasantly reminded of the following:
Success
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
Soon, I’m going to post about my 60-Day-Challenge – but for now, I’m going to talk about the book I just ordered (wait – something to consider: I may have to stop ordering books online for this 60-day-challenge, or any money going toward things like NWT eBay clothing will be funneled into oh, say – a million books from half.com?). I think I briefly mentioned The Crafter’s Devotional and Le Fabuleux Album d’Amelie Poulain… well, today is goal day here and I purchased The Talent Code. When Amazon suggested it, I thought “ugh. It’s like Outliers, I’m sure” (nothing against Outliers, other than… for some unknown reason I do not want to read it. I can’t really put my finger on why, it’s like my aversion to the taste of milk (gag) or my dislike of lumpy sauces).
Regardless, I clicked out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised – now that I think about it, I like that it’s more of a “apply these principles we’ve observed” book. I love when research is compiled and then presented in a way that says “get off your arse b/c this means you have no excuse”.
I’m reading Driving Mr. Albert right now [borrowed from a friend, so it bumped the others in the summer reading queue] and it’s pretty awesome. I’m excited to read it and that makes me feel exhilarated, I love to learn so much it can only be compared to some weird type of high. I get high off books. Great.
