Last week I shared about how I was having trouble kick-starting this year. This weekend, the reason WHY I'm struggling hit me.
Last year, I was inspired in a big way to get cleaned out and organized right after Christmas. I also took a very close look at my style, and the direction we're headed for our house. (You can read about all that good stuff here.) But this year, we don't really have a lot to clean out and I'm still on board with the conclusions we drew last year about our style.
Yesterday we FINALLY put away all our Christmas decor (I know, I know). We put away all our Christmas stuff, but haven't yet brought our regular decor back in and I felt this huge rush of calm. This feeling that I could actually breath again. Our living room is completely emptied of *stuff*, and I just want be there and revel in the calm.
My motto, at least for now, has quickly become:
What does this mean? Friends, I'm not even all that sure. But I know for now it means that I'm going to very carefully choose what I bring back into this room. And it definitely means it'll be a little minimalist for awhile. I think in the bigger picture though, it ties back to my resolution of getting healthy. In a way I can't quite put my finger on, I feel like simplicity and healing go hand in hand.
**all photos are taken of my bare-bones, simple living room. Aaaaahhhh. So much room to breath. :)
Today I leave you with these incredibly wise words:
"Simple living is about living deliberately. Simple living is not about austerity, or frugality, or income level. It's about being fully aware of why you are living your particular life, and knowing that life is one you have chosen thoughtfully. Simple living is about designing our lives to coincide with our ideals."
-- Janet Luhrs from The Simple Living Guide via Operation Simplicity
Your lamps are beautiful! So bold! Great work friend!
ReplyDeleteLove ya!
Ang
I'm so glad you said that! This was the first year that I actually looked forward to putting all the Christmas decorations away and having a clean simple looking living room!
ReplyDeleteJen - you made my day because I was convinced that I was the last person in the world to put away our Christmas decorations yesterday and I wasn't!! I am in the same boat and really want to get rid of all the "stuff" that seems to be in every nook and cranny in our home.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. I feel exactly the same. I think it has so much to do with Christmas and the over abundance that fills my home...all the decorations and all the stuff. You jus need to breathe again. I totally get it.
ReplyDeleteI think you're onto something that's for sure. Simplicity, health, they certainly go together. HOpe you had a nice extended weekend!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great quotation Jen. Living a simpler life is a GREAT goal. Saying "no" to good things is hard but can bring you such peace and space...I encourage you to stick with it!!! PLUS - I love your "barebones" living room;)
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling that itch- the simplicity itch, and am having a rough time trying to make sense of having a home-based business inside of a one bedroom apartment.
ReplyDeletethey don't really go well together, but I'm on a mission. ;)
Way to go! Looks lovely, and LOVE this quote! Thanks for sharing! Whitley
ReplyDeletewww.thequeencitystyle.com
Thanks, I needed that virtual kick in the pants to clear away some of my crap. I just keep accumulating "stuff" whether or not it fits in a room. I think my mantra this year is "buy only what I love." That way I won't have a room full of randoms.
ReplyDeleteGreat thinking...I am new to your blog but love that little paper arrangement on your table. I'm now following and looking forward todiscovering more!
ReplyDeleteLove your revelation and that you shared it. And please know that for some reason this year there are a whole bunch of us who have not taken down Christmas yet. I have not had a day at home yet to do it. Dreading it a bit now.
ReplyDeleteI love it!! So simple but lovely! I'm totally envious!
ReplyDelete