Recently I started reading a great blog called, Be More With Less. I'm really enjoying all the mini-mission challenges and the call to simplify your life.

I first ran across it when someone on my facebook shared this post about Being Busy. I have always shared this sentiment. I have never understood why it seems "cool" to be double-booked, constantly running around, and flaking out on plans. While my nature isn't to be super active, I also make the conscious decision to have both down time and alone time. I don't see the worth in always having somewhere to be. Yes, it makes you look like you have a booming social life, but are you truly thriving on being swamped? Because the people that I see are often doing this to themselves and talk about it like it's not their choice. We have all been around those people who only talk about how stressed out they are. Always. While I am guilty of having a conversation similar to this one, I try hard to not be this person. It's not cheery and it's not fun to be around. AND, there are solutions.

Some obligations in life really are inescapable and there are times when I feel overwhelmed with my to-do list. That's why I savor the times when I'm not tied down by anything. I could get more philosophical than I'd like here, talking about how our generation is rushing through life and needs to straighten out their priorities, and how the ever-increasing presence of technology is quickly making us more detached, contrary to its intentions of making us more "connected." But I will stop there. Again, I am guilty of buying too much, being on the computer too much, wanting the next new thing without enjoying what I have. But, I also take time to step back and look at how good I have it. I think John and I say to each other at least once a day that we have a great life.

Having down time is such a stress reliever, and it also leaves you open to be more spontaneous. I am also a huge advocate for being alone sometimes. I lived alone for 2 years and I couldn't have been happier during that time. I learned what my own habits are, what I enjoy, and was able to truly relax. Having roommates or people around me all the time was tiring - I had to be "on" - constantly entertaining, constantly acting interested, constantly being social. I love my social time, but having a break is important so as not to lose who you are.

The blog also talks about not completely abandoning all that is materialistic, but just simplifying what we surround ourselves with. John and I never want a crowded, clutter house because it really does up the anxiety. And that's exactly what the blog talks about. Living with less could mean anything. We have a house that is large for 2 people but that doesn't mean we have to fill it up.

I am inspired to continue our practice of being fairly low-maintenance. There is a mini-mission to get rid of excess make-up, and I have also just gotten what I "need." My makeup bag, which was a free little bag from Delta airlines (ha!) consists of:

• 1 bottle foundation (a new step in my makeup routine)
• 1 powder
• 1 blush
• 1 bronzer
  
• 1 eyeliner
• 1 eyeshadow
• 1 mascara
• tweezers
• chapstick

There is another mission to live with only 33 pieces of clothing for 3 months (the popular 333 challenge which started in October and is popping up all over the place). I'm not ready to quite take THAT step, even though I really don't have that many clothes anyway, but I do regularly donate clothes and keep my closet under control. I thought about this as I wandered through Target today, asking myself "Do I really want to spend my money on this right now?" whenever I saw something I liked. I ask myself this regularly, since John and I have financial goals, but I am far from perfect.

Anyway, those are my current thoughts. Being more with less. Does that mean sacrifice design and discard all non-functional items? No. It just means keeping things in perspective. Does it mean never making plans or complaining about stress? No. It just means making conscious decisions about how you want to spend your life.


And because I always enjoy a little irony, I thought I'd mention that we just bought a new truck last night. Did we absolutely NEED a new vehicle? No, but John's Toyota Echo has seen better days and does not fit at all with our lifestyle (not to mention how much we like to be safe). We got a great deal and will have this car for a long time. Plus, it'll be easier to simplify our house when we have a car that can haul away everything!

Alright, I found and charged my camera, so I am ready to reveal just a few pictures of our not-quite-finished master bedroom. Really all we need are some candlesticks and wall decor. We got a great picture from Ikea that will be hung, and I will be framing and hanging our personal pictures on our blank wall shortly.

And here are some other random pictures from our life:

Today was a stereotypical Mondays-are-blah Monday. I had my first official observation with the principal at my new school, even though she's dropped in several times before. It was nerve-wracking because it was a Monday morning with pretty low kids doing a lesson they did the previous year. So. We'll see how the post-observation meeting goes. I know that I am a capable teacher, but my personality requires me to really sweat stuff like this and doubt my abilities. This is the beginning of my second year and this is a whole new ballgame at this school. So we'll see.

I also got a lovely email from a parent of a student that is sometimes distracting saying that he needs to be consulted when I move his student because it has a stigma attached to it but that I need to move him to an alternative environment if he is distracting. Another contradictory statement was about how I need to be in tune to his needs but that he is learning to be independent. It is going to be difficult to not sound like I have an attitude when we meet with this parent. "umm, I am confused about how I'm supposed to give him an alternative environment if I can't move him for fear of embarrassing him?" We shall see.


In decorating news, things are going great. We put 2 long white floating shelves in our dining room where our (hideous) hoosier used to be. I'm still playing around with how to decorate it without it seeming too busy.

We also got our nightstands in the mail from Overstock.com last week. I am so happy with them. The tops are a gray-ish oak (think barnwood) and the frame is a dark metal. They are the perfect size and keep with our spa-like feel we're going for. We also got some office organizers to put on top of the nightstands to make them more practical (since there are no drawers on these). I got a 2-drawer letter-sized box and John picked a smaller card file-type box and a bin to put under the table. They're creme-colored and have the metal label slots on the front: they looks stylish! Only a few buckaroonies from Walmart!