Ps. 119:125
WEDNESDAY
In 2014 I saved over 3,000 photos to my computer. This year I resolved to be more organized, naming photos, sorting by month, and being selective about what I save. So far I've saved 496, nearly all are named, and all are in titled folders. A cluttered life is a stressful life and this is one small area where I can cut back on clutter. I also spend a little time every month or so putting together some pages in my snapfish album. At the end of the year when they run a big Christmas sale, I'll buy the whole thing. It will be expensive - last year's was still over $50, even with the 60% off sale - but it's worth it. A hard-copy yearbook of all our family's memories.
Today I put in a Henry-nap's-worth of time catching up on March and April photos.
And tonight I also posted our dinner here, an original recipe that was a big hit with Husband!
FRIDAY
Several of my facebook friends have posted references to this blog post (which in turn references this blog) this week. The concept is paring down your wardrobe to only 37 pieces: 15 tops, 9 bottoms, 9 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses, and 2 jackets. The result is fewer choices, but assurance that whatever you pick will be great because you've only kept the best. Ever on the prowl for simplicity, I gave it a try this afternoon.
Deciding not to tackle my entire wardrobe at once, I only got out my tops But I got out all of them, laid them on the bed, and viciously purged. Don't love it? Neckline is annoying? Never wear it? Too short? Been around too long? Gone. I did not cut down to the suggested 15 tops, but I did chop 26 tops out of my collection and what's left are things I'm excited to wear! How embarrassing that I had nearly thirty tops that were extraneous. As an added bonus, in the course of emptying out my bottom dresser drawer, I found a lost piece of my favorite locket that I'd given up hope of ever finding. What a delightful surprise!
I'll move to bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and shoes soon. Have you tried this? Or a similar purge?
SUNDAY
A second round of wardrobe purging yesterday left me shamed about the state of my closet. I don't have 37 items. I have nearly four times that many. And that's not counting pajamas, yoga pants, swimsuits, or bum-around tshirts. I'm pleased because my clothes are reorganized and sorted, but I'm humbled by the enormity of my collection and my tendency to still be discontent.
We're at the end of the month which often means the food budget is used up and we need to make do with what's in the house. I often ignore this fact in favor of another grocery shopping jaunt, but this time we are not buying anything and we're eating up what we have. And what we have is enough for several days of satisfying meals. Again, I'm humbled by my habit of discontentment.
What if instead of seeking more, I needed less? What if my list of needs actually shrank and contentment became achievable at a lower level of life's ladder, so to speak? What items do I truly need in my wardrobe? Can I whittle it down to a satisfying 37 or 40 pieces? What does my weekly menu need to include? Could I put spaghetti on the menu more often? Or grilled cheese sandwiches?
I'm continuing to work toward simplicity. Less clutter, less stress, and more contentment.
Tonight that meant contentment with a frozen pizza and frozen fries, some of the things we're eating this week, rather than taking another shopping trip. Tomorrow we'll be feasting on this favorite meal, which I can only make thanks to a neighbor who generously gave us some farm-fresh bacon.
If this idea captures you as it's captured me lately, I recommend Margin by Richard Swenson. Written for those who find their lives overloaded and who've exhausted their energies, finances, and time, Margin proposes a way of life that frees us to enjoy contentment and rest.
Grateful this week for:
waking up to rain
porch swing sitting
Roku
onion dip
magnolia
alarm clock
coffeepot
porch light
bathroom
devotional book
driveway
hoodie
blustery weather
smell of sunscreen
Banana Split Cream Rita's water ice
cousins
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