I’m sitting on my couch, drinking coffee, listening to Eli NOT sleep through the monitor, which is really strange because he’s been such a great sleeper lately.
But today? I really need him to sleep.
I have about a trillion things on my mind right now, like a really cool session I have tonight or the six mini-sessions I have tomorrow, or family in town to visit, or my insanely messy and I’ll be honest, DIRTY house. Or the fact that I’m frustrated that I feel like my kids aren’t loving enough. And I don’t mean they don’t snuggle enough, I just think they aren’t LOVING enough. Things. People. Ideas, etc.
I try to remind myself that it’s probably just a phase. Kids are selfish! Right? But, still, the things I’m seeing and hearing hurt my heart and are affecting me a great deal.
So, they’ve inspired me to simplify my life with less things. Less Barbies and Cars and even less books and less Legos and more walks and swinging and picnics with bologna sandwiches and watermelon and Oreos.
For Christmas I asked for this book and I finally just cracked it open last week and it’s speaking to me LOUDLY.
(I was going to take a photo of this book on my white nightstand against my blue wall and the green accents of my quilt, it would have looked so cool but I decided to simplify and skip that part. But trust me, it would have been a pretty photo.)
It’s written by a blogger, whose name is Tsh. Even her name is simple.
So, Tsh is speaking to me with her words (without her even realizing it) and it’s helping me mentally so now I just have to physically simplify which is hard with 9 sessions in one week (don’t fret, six of those are minis) and three kids and a baby girl dancing in my belly and a husband who works and goes to grad school and eating lots of ice cream and and and and and…
but I’m going to do it. RIGHT NOW.
It’s funny because my big huge projects, like reorganizing my master bathroom, which, I assure you, is a BIG BIG project and probably wasn’t done properly when we moved here three years ago, well, after my shower yesterday, I just reorganized one little shelf in my linen closet and guess what? I love it. I took a piece of the GIANT PROJECT LOOMING OVER MY HEAD and took a slice and completed it and it helped me.
(and motivated me)
So, that’s where I’m at today. I’m extremely happy. Crazy overwhelming. But definitely inspired.
I love being inspired.
And now? Eli is sleeping so I have lots of work to do starting right now.
Happy Friday, friends!
Happy Friday Beth~ your new blog design is beautiful!
I NEED that book. NEED it!
I constantly feel the need to simplify, too. Why does it have to be so much WORK?
Don’t be too hard on yourself over the kids, girl. Kids are kids. When Bridger announced that he was giving up his Christmas presents last year for charity: water, his twin was pissed and about in tears, because that meant less toys for him to play with.
I don’t know if simplicity is in my genes. I NEED to simplify, but at the same time, I’m one of THOSE people who does so much better when I’m under pressure. Sigh. Oh well. Hope you guys have a great weekend! Good luck with your shoots!
I bought this book before I even finished reading your blog. No worries, though, I did come back and finish! I’m motivated by your motivation. We’ll see if works to carry me through.
I think I need that book as well!
I know what you mean about the doing being better than the stuff.
And so often, the doing is what our memories are made of. Sometimes, my simplifying means trying to find more time for those things that I would like to do with my family.
TGIF, beth & family!! here’s to a productive day.
I just had to say that I have been reading your blog for a long time. Never usually comment but love it! I think that your kids always come across as sweet and loving in your posts and many times I have been jealous that it seems like they are so wonderful and loving. So I am sure it is just a phase. Just sayin…
I’m looking at my book shelf (in my mind) and how it went from neat and organized to chaos. Best intentions, you know. I can organize, but can I KEEP it that way? I know I’m going to have organize it again before I lose something like a great book I promised to someone. You know that niggling in your mind that you MIGHT have forgotten to send something??? I looked at a book today and thought, “Didn’t I promise this to someone?” I don’t think so. Maybe it’s time to organize.
Saw the writeup on Tsh on TCM & Amy Clark talked me into buying the book. It speaks to me loudly too, even when it’s closed. I leave it AND The Happiness Project out where I can see them just to remind me about clearing clutter & simplifying. Thinking about whether something is useful and/or beautiful is a great way to decide what needs to stay and what needs to go!
I think I would LOVE that book. I’ll have to check it out next time I’m at a bookstore. You should take before and after pictures…even if you don’t post them, they’re inspiring to go back and look at.
Pretty blog, pretty family, pretty pictures…love it! 
Thankfully I caught a little of the simplicity bug before I got married so I’ve brought it into my marriage (we have yet to add kids to the mix so we’ll see how that goes though!)…I’m not extreme but I hate clutter and pretty much always have a Goodwill bag sitting in my house getting filled up. I love the light feeling of not having too much but I’m trying to add the prettiness of simplicity into it now too. Pretty things make me happy…which is why I come here.
That’s so weird – I just discovered that book on Wednesday. Can’t wait to make use of it in my crazy house!
Pretty new blog!
I must go and check out that book now…
Baby Steps- it’s amazing where you can get doing one small thing at a time
I try to live simply with 4 pack rats, and it isn’t easy, but I’m making progress.
What I really wanted to comment on is the comment about your kids being loving enough. My kids are older than yours, and I’ve seen lately where those lessons have begun to sink in at 12 and 17 (the 8 year still has relapses regularly). So keep setting the example, and do what you think is best, but remind yourself that it may take time. I’ve also had to realize that sometimes I’m not the “loving” person I want to be, and have to reel myself in as well
Good luck though!
I have this Book! I bought it after reading a few other blog posts on simplifying my life. This book is brilliant if I would simply implement the ideas Tsh provided. Your an inspiration, if you can take small steps with 3 kids and one on the way and taking BEAUTIFUL photos than I can manage one small step in the right direction.
Have a wonderful Monday!
I love the new design!!
I read that book several months ago, but I need a refresher b/c I’m having a garage sale this weekend for charity! I already live a pretty minimalist life, but there’s still a lot I could do without!
I’ve been thinking of your friend, Samantha and I didn’t see an update anywhere. I’ve been praying for her and if you are at liberty to share, could you update us?
Ah, I LOVE simplicity! So many times, I’ve said to my dh, “Let’s sell everything and take the kids out of school and move to Mexcio. Buy a little simple house and homeschool our kids and be together and learn a new language!” He seems to like the idea but for now, I guess, I’ll reorganize my linen closet and simplify my life here. I love the less toys ideas. I’ve started this year with no presents for birthdays, etc and we will give instead. Thanks for the inspiration :0) Joy
This is kinda random but I”m still going to share. I finished s project today – my first handmade dress for K. I had to call in help (a friend in town who sews) to help me get it done, but that’s okay, I did it! I’m so happy!!
Also, I know TSH!! We actually danced together with the same dance teacher and went to the same high school. I happened to find her at Blissdom in January and we reconnected there. How fun is that? Anyway, I have yet to check out her book but I really want and probably NEED to!
Enjoy it!
Just your writing this post is inspiring to me – a reminder that a lot can be accomplished with baby steps and a reminder to simplify. You won’t believe this but a couple of days ago I did some things so uncharacteristic of me that afterwards I thought I should write a book called ‘The Joy of Throwing Away’. Now you’ve given me the nudge I need to proceed. Thank you!
Reorganizing is challenging, but it feels so great once the project is finished. About a month ago I decided to go through my clothes. There were tons of clothes in my closet and I was not wearing about 90% of them. I spent hours going through them and when I was finished I had 4 huge garbage bags of clothes that I either don’t wear or they don’t fit. Some of the clothes were brand new with tags on them (not many, but a few items). I’m going to donate them to my church who distributes them to women’s shelters and halfway houses. I’m sure those ladies will appreciate the clothes and now they aren’t causing clutter in my life.