Trying the Bootcamp

I bought an ebook. It's called 30 Day Declutter Bootcamp.  I've purchased ebooks and hard copy books about minimalusm and decluttering before.  None have really worked for me.  Sure they provide some inspiration and some good ideas, but they don't lead you through a solid program with concrete things to do daily.  This book was a bit pricey for an ebook....$19.99.....but it had great reviews.  So, I went for it.

I've read a small chunk of it and like it already, but I've not hit the solid "meat" of it, yet.  So far, so good, but the jury's still out.  Once I get a little deeper in, I'll post the good, bad and the ugly (if there is any).  For now I'm just psyched to get the ball rolling again!

Time to call thrift store pickup and get to work.

 Hooyah!

Patience and Making Decisions

As I mentioned yesterday,  sometimes this venture towards minimalism moves a little too slowly for me.  I never claimed to be a patient person,  just a realistic one.  But I struggle with that.  I get irritated that the mess just isn't gone already!

But, my calmer, sane, realistic side knows that this process is slow, especially for people like me who struggle with decision making.  I am awful at making choices.  For most people, more choices equals more freedom.  For me, it's paralyzing at times!  When faced with too many options, I overthink it and feel overwhelmed.  It doesn't have to be a life altering decision, any old choice will do.  Like ordering from a menu in a restaurant.   Or deciding what to wear to a special occasion.  These are not major decisions to most people, but they frighten me.  Give me two or three options, tops, and I'm okay.  Any more than that, forget it!

I think that's part of my struggle with becoming a minimalist.  My rational side knows that it's okay to part with the wine glasses that never get used (we're not drinkers) or the toy superheros that my son doesn't even remember.  But my not-so-stable side thinks, "but what if we NEED that?"  Or "It was a gift.  What if they get offended?"

I need to give myself an occasional reality check.  Things are replaceable.   People are not.  Time is not.  I'm losing time, time with people I love, because of the "stuff" that I have difficulty parting with.

So for today, I will try to part with a few things as we clean up around here.  Then we are off to spend time together at our county fair.

That decision wasn't hard at all.    :)

One Day at a Time

As we return from a delightful, fun filled week at the beach, we are refreshed, renewed and ready to ease  back into a more organized day to day life.  Not quite ready for early wake ups, but definitely looking forward to new schedules.  Healthier meal plans, exercise, family prayer time, less screen time and scheduled chores are on the horizon.  We just need to work ourselves out of vacation mode and back into the mindset of daily plans.  There is a certain level of comfort that comes from a schedule.  Knowing what comes next eases stress on some level.  Especially for kids, but also for adults.  I crave routine right now.

  I'm also wishing I could fast forward into the future a bit.  I'm wishing I was further along in this minimalist journey.   I know it's a process but sometimes I feel like I'm treading water. As a new school year approaches, my fear of falling behind is here before I even get started.  So I will continue along, one step at a time and have faith that it will be alright in the end.  As long as I keep in touch with Him and seek to do His will.

As my favorite animated character says....

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."