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Life in the past few weeks has been rushed and busy, feverish and at times overwhelming. With deadlines and work, papers to submit and photos to take we are experiencing change in the rhythm of our day to day lives with new energy in our home and great changes on the horizon.
With the nothing new project, I have found a new way to look at life and with that new challenges have presented themselves. My lease expires in a couple of month and we will be transitioning from our traditional lifestyle to one that is more transient, further from the system that frustrates me so much and closer to the freedom of a life that is designed to fit my own core values.
This means we have been and will continue to cull every non-essential item in our home, something that is so hard. How do you define non-essential? How do you decide what to keep and what to give away? Part of walking away from consumerism is letting go of my attachment to unnecessary things. To keep only things that are useful or truly meaningful. Everything else must go.
In amidst the constant swell of the tide of life, I’m finding it more and more necessary to take a little time every day to just exist. To sit on our back steps with a cup of coffee and to breathe in the cool air, to taste that change in season, and to remember that we are all part of something much greater than ourselves. To be aware of all of the things that we have and to never take this amazing freedom we have for granted.
The freedom to choose is perhaps the greatest freedom of them all.
I’ve been glad for so many wonderful things these past few weeks. The things that I remind myself of on those cool mornings on the back steps.
The little things for which I’m glad:
- Drinking a bottle of wine with a dear old friend over the phone from opposite sides of the country. Sitting in my backyard with a glass of wine between my knees, pulling weeds and laughing about love and life and everything in between.
- The sudden appearance of a friend that I thought I would never see or talk to again, getting to finally say, ‘I’m so glad you’re back… I’ve missed you.’ – Something I wish I got to say more often.
- The Waifs. The soundtrack of my week.
- A wonderful opportunity to write about something I love for people who inspire me.
- Wood fires and hot soup
- Boxes of fresh veggies and work to go with them.
- Bed bouncing with my babe
- Dirty fingernails and seeds saved.
- A perfect little school for my little Bo
- Visits from one of my favourite city friends.
- Camping trips with sisters
- Breakfast picnics with a beautiful little urban family.
- Good coffee and library book.
- Movies that make me cry
- Stories that make me laugh
- That little kid of mine and her funny stories about her talking bottom and her wild imagination.
What are you glad for this week?
emma - hi :))
I’m glad of my two happy boys and hubs that loves them so very much. The freedom to be a woman with a voice even if i do talk lots of crap. The freedom to read your wonderful blog even though your on the otherside of the world xxxx
erica @ expatria, baby - Sounds like exciting things are afoot! I can’t wait to hear more. I really like reading about your Nothing New project. I find myself thinking on it from time to time, and I’m not yet up to making any drastic changes in my lifestyle, I do reflect on it in relation to my own shopping habits. I don’t know that I’ll ever go as far as not buying anything new for a year, but it does inspire me!
Molly - Hello- Just found your blog and really enjoying poking around and reading your posts. I really like your perspective and hearing your thoughts on life- I would say we have similar outlooks. Also love the idea of the “nothing new” project. So many of my favorite blogs are filled with product placements/sponsors these days, it has really changed the face of blogging. I miss the good old days of just sharing ideas and connecting.
Best to you and your little one,
Molly from the USA
Arna - I am glad for time spent with my two children. For friendships which survive long distances and busy lives but can be picked up exactly where we left them. I am glad for those days when familiar faces I smile at every week stop and say hello and a new friendship begins.
David - I’m thankful that in life, which is full of moments and opportunities, I haven’t had too many “I wish I had…” moments.
The time goes by so quickly, I think the only way to slow it down is to make life simpler.