Quiet Post

Quiet post ~

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The Closeted Minimalist

Last week William and I--along with three adopted great-grandparents--traveled down town Philly to check out Reading Terminal's miniature train display. It was a fantastic trip filled with some of William's favorite things: trains, cookies, and Bert (his adopted grandpa)!

. . . .

Although I don't foresee us moving any time soon, the desire for a simpler life (as stated in my previous post) has propelled me to look at things that I can change about my situation right now. We can't move out of our apartment until after the baby is born, money is tight, and my need to purge and organize (nest) has become intense. So, what does all that mean: major perspective shift in how I view my space and our things! I once told a girlfriend of mine that I'm a "closeted minimalist." She laughed. I would love to be, but I'm not. Andrew and I have stuff. Lots of it. So, when you have a one bedroom apartment, too many books, a toddler and a baby on the way, you have to re-evaluate. I'm going to take it slow--and I've promised I wouldn't try and move the bookshelves, or couches, or the desk, again.

Here is my plan:
1. Starting with one section at a time I'm going to ask myself if I should "re-shelve it, store it, or pitch it." I'm trying to convince Andrew that I'm not going to pitch everything. I love throwing things out and the very idea makes him break out in a nervous sweat.
2. Finding spaces for the important things like my clothes--which presently have no home and are thus all over the place--our keys, William's toys, my camera *ahem*
3. Being mindful of how to best use our space. We have massive closets that are haphazardly filled with boxes, books, and clothes--but I can never find the things that I need and have no idea what's actually in there.

Living with a lawyer I've learned to add disclaimers of all sorts to any of my bold statements, so, I will say that I will try my best to take on these tasks of re-organization with the knowledge that 1) I have obvious limitations (a toddler and a horrid pregnancy), 2) I will never become a brilliant minimalist, and 3) we will probably always have too much stuff! I need the perspective shift right now and desire the feeling that I can make an impact on the quality of our life--even if it's a small one.

Dreaming of a simpler life

I'm doing a lot of sitting lately. Quietly. Peacefully. Minding that my little one doesn't fall off the couch or upend the Christmas tree, again. I'm starting to re-read the Harry Potter books--magic is always appreciated at Christmas time. I'm feeling the growing pains of baby number two. He/she is so peaceful in the mornings but by the time dinner rolls around I feel like it's taking me out to dance the tango, on a rocking, rolling boat, during a storm (I'm green). Not pleasant. In January we find out if we're having a girl or a boy (I'm due at the end of May)! Sometimes I miss the productivity of my time pre-pregnancy, but my mother is so good about reminding me that I'm working very hard on something--growing a baby is hard work!

I hadn't realized how long it had been since I sat down to post here. Or how long it had been since I last journalled. Time slips away so quickly. And when you're not feeling well (pregnancy and I don't agree, it seems) all your energy is put towards simply functioning and not burning down the apartment. At the end of the day I look at my list of things to do and shudder. I'm trying not to make lists right now. But, we're still cooking, baking, walking, playing and singing Christmas carols galore. So, I guess that's a good sign.

I woke up this morning dreaming about Duluth. Sitting on the shoreline watching the waves quietly roll in. Lake Superior is beautiful in the winter. In the late afternoons, when the sky turns pinky-purple, and it's so cold your eye lashes freeze to your cheek, it's magic. I'm craving a simpler life right now--which is laughable as it's very simple right now. But I'm actually drawn to fewer options, places where your money can stretch further, the joys of home life more appreciated. Maybe that's why I'm dreaming of Duluth. Regardless, it's a beautiful image to tuck into my pocket this morning.

~Jewels

Images are re-posted from Oct. 9 2009