10 Travel Tips

I wanted to share some insights I had from my recent travels. In my quest to live intentionally and with fewer items, I am continually testing new ideas. My most recent was that of traveling sans purse. I've mentioned many times how much I adore bags, totes and purses. I admit it is an addiction! I don't know that I will leave home without some sort of bag in the future. I'm still chewing a little on #2.

#1 Foldable Backpack
One of the best items I've added to my travel repertoire is a foldable backpack. I wanted one that would fit into a larger backpack but wouldn't take up space. I went with this Gonex 30L Lightweight backpack. I did a lot of research to determine what would be the best fit. We used it every day of our trip and were very happy with it. It held water bottles, sunglasses, scarf, cap, gloves, phone charger, travel logs and wallets.




#2 Downsize the Purse
I decided to forgo my usual Keen bag. This works great for for Urban hiking, I fold it up and put it inside my backpack I left it home this time and just used this small wallet. I'm still on the fence here. I love the convenience but I did miss having a designed bag to put my things in when we went out to dinner. I am so used to carrying a purse that honestly, I felt a little bare without it.




It took a bit to get used to using this wristlet. I stopped carrying change. Since I am frugal and it feels wrong to ditch it, I keep a ziplock bag in the car and use it when I am running through a drive through. Every so often I will empty the collected bag into a big jar and when that gets full I will cash it in. Change is heavy so not packing it around is very freeing. This little guy is surprisingly roomy, I can fit my cell phone in here too. I used this when we went out to dinner. During the day and hiking these are the items I had with me.

*Travel Journal/pen
*National Parks Passport
*Lip balm SPF 50
*Sunglasses
*Wallet
*Water bottle (when flying I take an empty water bottle and fill it up after going through TSA).
*Snacks
*Scarf. This is probably one of the most versatile items. It can be used as an eye shield, leg warmer, pillow, light blanket/shawl and a seat cover. I use one on chilly mornings and then put it in the pack when it warms up. (Depending on the weather I also take a beanie and gloves.)

#3 Buy it when you get there 
This applies to both flight travel and car travel. I usually don't bring much and if it is something I truly need like toothpaste or shampoo, it's not hard to find/purchase that. When traveling by car, we will often go to a grocery store and buy what we are going to need for the duration of the trip. Water, wraps and Red Vines are the top three on the list. This is where having a water bottle comes in handy. I pack mine around with me and add the greens and electrolytes as needed.

#4 Layer Up
I hate being cold so I tend to bring several layers. I pretty much wore my tank top and base layer the entire time we were gone. I added a long sleeved 1/2 zip top and then my jacket. I also pack a scarf and a beanie. Covering my head helps. I've been known to sleep in caps and socks if I'm staying in a cold room.

#5 Functional Shoes
Traveling with comfortable shoes is a must. I wore hiking boots and decided to pack them instead of wearing them. I also brought black Tieks. I like these because they are light and foldable. They're great for an evening out, but I cannot wear them in all day situations. I got by this time, but post-hike I was really craving my Birks. I deemed them too heavy to bring along, but they were certainly missed.

The black Tieks are folded and so is the red backpack.
I use packing cubes for other items. 

#6 De-jewel
I used to wear and pack along a lot of different jewelry. Different earrings, necklace and rings for each outfit. Now I pick my favorite silver pair and I wear them every day. I have some really nice pieces and I do try to rotate when I am home, but in all honesty, I could really downsize here. Like majorly downsize. I don't want to throw jewelry  away, that seems terrible, but I would be most happy to re-home the majority of my collection.

These are the ones that made the flight this time!

#7 Convertible Clothes
I have learned to pack very minimally. For example, sometimes if I am traveling in the evening and won't be in the clothes long, I will wear the same clothes back on a Sunday (new undies of course...because I'm sure you wanted to know that).
My favorite pieces are ones that reverse or convert. The bottoms of my hiking pants zip off to become shorts. I also have this skirt from Title Nine It can be stripes or solid and the color goes with everything! My newest favorite is this Travel Dress from REI. It's light and packable. Right now it's a bit too chilly so I wear a base layer and leggings with it. The pockets are great and it's very comfortable.


#8 No Fixing Flats
Tires are the exception here! I am speaking of hair. When I am traveling I always bring a cap. If it is not on my head, it's clipped to a bag. This works great for horrible hotel hair/crappy water and sun protection. I don't really "fix" my hair on a daily basis. I wash it, put some mousse in it and go. Most of the time it is still wet when I leave the house. When I am traveling, the same applies. I stick to a very minimal facial routine too; sunscreen, mineral powder and mascara. Boom! My hair is often flat and meh when I travel. I don't know if I am sensitive to the water (or whatever is in the water)? I doesn't seem to work to well. I don't spend much time trying to rectify it, I just go with it. 

My go-to look, whenever I can get away with it!

Current favorite cap, liked it so much that it became my latest tattoo!

#9 The Right Kind of Memory
It's customary to want to take parts and pieces of the locations we travel to back home with us. One of our favorites is to buy books and then mark them with the National Park stamp. We've found some great books on our travels and they are fabulous reminders of where we've been. It's really wonderful to open up a book and read it when we are homebound and unable to get away. I've long been a fan of "taking a trip around the world" with a book. However, books pile up as do t-shirts, trinkets and other mementos. Since I've spent a considerable amount of time de-cluttering, I am keenly away that what I pack home will have to have a place. The solution: a travel journal + National Park Passport book.




One of these alone would suffice. In fact, I could use just the travel journal and place the stamp in there, but I do enjoy both and they don't take up much room. I like having words to describe and document the trip, especially years later when I struggle to remember the details. It's cool to look back on that. The Parks Passport is a fun thing that I started back in 2016.

Buying an America the Beautiful Pass is a great idea if you/your family are into visiting National Parks. We sure are. Joe had the idea to get the pass after we were at Red Rocks. By the time we ended our trip, the entrance fees we would have payed were $10 away from covering the pass. Yay! Here's the link for the National Park Pass.

#10 Re-entry:
In my experience longer travels should include a re-entry plan that allows you to ease back into your daily routine. Coming back in the afternoon, on a day when there isn't much going on allows us to unpack, put clothes in the wash, and re-organize. Trips don't always work that way. I didn't have the opportunity this time and I also didn't tear into the normal routine of unpacking and putting things away this time. Instead I went for a walk and enjoyed the warm weather. Things are a bit messy and out of order but I know I will get them back into alignment. It's really nice to come home to a clean, neat, tidy house (with the exception of Marley getting into the trash and having some fun with egg shells...)

Traveling is definitely my passion. If I could do it full time, I totally would. I've known since I was riding around the ranch on my my little red dirt bike with my backpack that seeing the country was what I most wanted to do. I've accumulated a lot of "stuff" and I have thoroughly enjoyed the collection process. Traveling has certainly taught me to discern what I most need, what I enjoy and what I am willing to pack around with me. When the time is right to downsize even further, I will be ready to do that!

Vintage Style

 I am reminded from time to time how much I love vintage items. Oh how I adore old papers, typewriters, desks, lamps, books and wooden drawers. I have no idea why, but I do know those kind of things light me up. I wish there was a way to transport these items right to my home and use them every day. I can see myself sipping coffee and pounding out my ideas on this vintage type writer! I have no desire to go back in time, thank you very much. I appreciate the technology we have today, the ease and convenience of modern creations, but there is something deeply inviting when I step into these spaces.

We visited the Kregel Windmill Co. over the weekend. This is literally stepping back into time. While small, the building is as exactly as it was in 1939. The history of windmill production is very interesting but the most fascinating artifacts were in this office. Oh my goodness! It's the neatest room I've ever seen! I actually had a hard time walking away!










In my quest to downsize, I know that I wouldn't likely choose to purchase any of these items if that were an option. I don't scour antique markets like I used to. I do very little shopping these days. I did purchase a new blue skirt and a chartreuse sweater over the weekend. The sweater was a splurge at $11.00, the skirt was drastically more. It is buttery soft though. As soon as I saw it and felt it, I knew it was destined to be mine! I only wear what I absolutely love these days. I know I have room for it and I know that I can combine it with what I already have to create new outfits. That's the beauty of downsizing. If and when I do buy, there's a reason and a purpose. I've become aware of the difference between frivolous searching (when I am waiting or bored) and actually selecting something that contributes to my style.


What I'm weeding this week:
Since I brought in two new items, that means two old items are going out. Here is what I deselected:




I snagged this skirt on sale awhile back.  I picked it because of the colors. I haven't worn it and now I actually think its a bit too "busy" for my taste.



I got this item eight years ago. I've not worn it at all in the last few years.  At one point I was into gray. I had gray boots and gray oxfords. I let them both go and for whatever reason kept this. It's ready to find a new owner.

One of the aspects that I am learning is that downsizing isn't a one time action, it is a continual exercise that requires diligence and checking in. I would love for it it be a one and done, but that is not how it works.

Creative Growth Step:
Growth happens even when we are not consciously focused on it. While I'm sure there are projects and even new dreams that are forming, I'm feeling the invitation to take some time to contemplate, re-evaluate and flow into what I want to create in the next few months. This is an in-between space and sometimes it feels strange because I am target oriented and I feel better when I have a project to work on. It's not that I am sitting around with nothing to do (that never happens!) but I am in a place where I'm coasting a bit. March is a month where the newness of the year is starting to take root, but the "stalks" are just starting to make their ascension toward the sun; there is much growth ahead. Right now growth is more subjective and not nearly as visible.

I was looking over my bullet journal for February and I am pretty amazed at what I did accomplish. I never feel like I get that much done! My creative growth steps this week are to recognize my accomplishments in action, immerse myself within the completion phase and be OKAY with not knowing what's next!  I posted awhile ago that it's good to build in rest days. What I am also ready to do is identify when I am in the final stages of projects and allow myself the space to regroup, rather than feel like I have something to do and I'm not doing it. I'm choosing to be a better closer "coffee is for closers only."  {Insert laughing emoji}

There is a tendency to be looking ahead and while I do enjoy the present, I find that for me, the excitement lies in the future and what I am in the process of creating. When there's nothing on the board I feel like I walk around with a blank stare on my face and hands up in the air like an basketball player who got a bad call.... what?????? (I watched a Celtics game the other night, so this was an easy reference.) Things will shift, as they always do. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this "time out."

HAVING TO VERSUS CHOOSING TO

One of these words feels lighter than the other? Can you tell? When you are looking at a decision do you feel like you HAVE to go with a certain option? What if you still had the same option, only you CHOOSE it. There's empowerment in the second choice and within that space, you actually change the consciousness of your reality.

Some of us are stuck in a job that we may not love. We say we have to have the job to do x, y, z. We may actually need the job to pay bills, afford health care, make car payments, take care of our families or any other reasons. We use these needs to justify why we are at this job, in this relationship, living in this location, are this in this shape. We enclose ourselves in a reality of few possibilities, tightening the noose around our necks, slugging through the days, dreaming of something different. And nothing changes. We get stuck. There's not a lot of potential for something better to come in when we reside in the "HAVE TO" world.

In the CHOOSE TO world, we take accountability for our choices, actions and reactions. We create space when we acknowledge that we've made the choice to be where we are, however that is showing up. It's really hard to change something if we don't look at the choices that led us here in the first place. While the place we currently are may not be our ideal, if we can change the viewpoint from "this is where I have to be" to "this is where I choose to be...for now", we open the door for shifts and changes to come more easily. Choices expand and possibilities become more visible to us.

Restating and especially re-thinking how we look at our current situations can mean the difference between chained to our circumstances or being free to make choices.

Every person alive has challenges, but they are not limited by those challenges. In fact challenges can become vital stepping stones, pointing the way to effective life changes. My son is an excellent example of this. We didn't allow his health challenges to become an excuse or a disability. He was born with spherocytosis. When he was a sophomore, he was diagnosed with neurofibromytosis type II. He's had a plethora of challenges and surgeries. He is deaf in one ear and his vision is not the best. You wouldn't know what he's been through by looking at him.  Today he's a thriving, young man, in his first year of college with a job! {Way to go, Pake!} Your challenge may be something entirely different and yet it is doesn't have to be a limitation to the life you choose to live. You just have to make the choice of how you want to show up in your world.

How do we initiate change?

Are we willing to take an honest inventory of where we are right now?

What is working your life?

What isn't?

Acknowledge that all the choices you've made have gotten you where you are today.

Look at the list of what isn't working, what you don't like?
Brainstorm some possible action steps that you can take, today to make some shift. Keep in mind that these don't have to be huge steps, simple ones are best as they bring immediate results and will build your change muscles, plus it's fun and empowering to observe how it feels in your body/being to experience change in action.

Identify your energetic priorities:
What lights you up and makes you happy? What additional choices are there that will contribute to the life you want to live? (And if you don't know, ask for those choices to show up and KEEP asking!)

Be vigilant with your choices and action steps: Set boundaries for what you will and will not allow. Focus is required because it will keep you moving toward your target. Use sticky notes and/or phone reminders and place these in locations that you will see. Change these out from time to time as they need to be refreshed, our minds get too used to seeing these.

Be curious: We don't have to know how things will turn out, in fact it is better not to have any conclusions of the outcome. Reality often doesn't reflect how we think things should go. Leave some room for creative ideas, choices and the magic of the unknown. What if what you are asking for arrives in a different shape and is even BETTER than what you had in mind?!

YOU are the conscious, creative facilitator of your life! You assumed this position when you are born and you've inherited a majorly successfully company. YOU are the CEO here, so the choices and decisions you make will determine your life (which is your business!) How cool is that?! You didn't even have to interview for the position! Here are the keys, take them and start unlocking some doors.




What I'm weeding this week:
Digital items. UGH. A few months ago my emails totaled over 3000. I was not so good about reading them, and even worse at deleting them. I kept emails, like I kept a lot of my clutter,  for those "just in case" reasons. It took some time, but I utilized the folder options and created what I needed for future reference. I went through every single email, which was daunting, and necessary.

Earlier this week I created something I've never experienced before....an empty email inbox. This has NEVER happened before! Like my home, I am amazed at how quickly the space can fill in if I am not paying attention and setting the target of keep it cleared.  I have spent the last month unsubscribing to a lot of emails. What I am wondering is if I should select a day to go through them all and wipe it clean? Or if I should visit this daily, like I do with my home? I didn't enjoy the task and that is why I let emails pile up. Since erasing the 3000+ emails my target as been to keep my inbox downsized. I always admired people who can do this and do it consistently, funny I never saw myself as "one of those people" I still don't because it's early on but in time, perhaps that habit will become more solid? This does requires me to be vigilant, making a decision after I've read the email (delete or move to a folder.)  and be consistent. Rather than seeing this as a burden I am choosing to see this as a personal challenge, it is more enjoyable that way. I'm also seeing that my ability to make a decision in the moment is much stronger than it used to be and that feels good too.

In the event that I might become overly confident, I am reminded that I still have loads of things on my computer, documents and photos that need cleaned up at some point. {It really doesn't end, does it?! At least I'm not tripping over digital clutter.}




Creative Growth Step: 
Making the bed. I haven't always been consistent in this area, but I am learning the benefits. It doesn't take much time or effort, I simply pull up the covers, flatten out the creases and call it good. That said, leaving my bedroom in clean, clear order sets my tone for the day.

I've also cleared off the additional surfaces of a excessive items. Pryce insisted that I keep the Lego Dragon she made. I have a love note and a few other sentimental items.





I've cleared off the bureau and intentionally placed meaningful/useful items. Previously this was covered with books, pictures, journals, jewelry and other items that I didn't put away.





It feels good to walk in here. This room is not fancy, updated or new, but it is clean and clutter free. I used to have to navigate piles of clothes, shoes and bags, book. Tidying up happens in minutes, because clothes are in the closet, not strewn about or thrown on the floor in here. The best benefit is that I can be packed and ready for adventuring in about 10 minutes (or less!)

I am blessed with a large, walk in closet so I do not have drawers. I see the clothes I do have and this reminds me to either wear them or let them go.

Off season items (shirts, skirts, shorts and sandals) were put in a tote. When the weather is warmer, I'll do another sort and let go of anything that I haven't used. "I am CHOOSING to keep only the clothing/items that I really love, versus I HAVE to sort through this sh*t again!!!! See, I bet you can already tell the difference, can't you?

What are choosing today?!

"Being Busy" is No Excuse

In the past I've used the excuse of being "too busy" for a lot of things. It is true, I am a busy person and I have a very full schedule, but it isn't that way every day. There are fluctuations, rising and falling tides of events and obligations.

Previously, on any given day, my home would not have qualified as "organized, neat and tidy" it was..... lived in {for sure!} I would go through clutter clearing spurts when I could no longer stand the mess. It would stay that way for awhile and then... it would go back to the default state.

The default state is the state we are in when we haven't aligned and integrated a certain target. It's the place of stasis where there is little effort. It's a resting point. There's nothing wrong with a resting point, it's just that nothing changes.

If we want something to change, we have to get clear on what that is, set the target(s) and then take steps toward it. I'm not goal oriented because it seems too linear for me, but I like the idea of setting a target, practicing and then adjusting the aim until I "hit" the bullseye.

One of my targets last fall was having a clean, organized and functional home. I was tired of the constant mess and more tired of continually having to clean it up every couple of months. I would clear things out, but I would be resentful because I wasn't enjoying the day or spending intentional time with my loves ones. I was clearing clutter....again. I set the target for my home to become a contribution to my body and my family.

Setting that target required a lot of observation and focus. It also meant that I had to be accountable for my choices and to become more clear when making them. If I didn't want to come home to a disaster every night, then I needed to make some different choices, on a daily basis.

If you've read the blog and/or followed instagram, you may have seen/read some examples of this particular target! My counters have remained cleared off, closet is organized, floors are clean, bed is made, items are in their places. It's taken diligence to put things away when I come in the door, especially late at night. It's taken patience and persistence to keep questioning myself about what I am keeping and what I am letting go of.

Why I am I sharing this? Because I resisted being in a routine and a routine is exactly why I've been able to hit some significant targets. Being in a routine is not a limitation, the limitation was not taking control of my life, my environment, my food intake, my possessions and even my choices. I started observing how I was spending my time, the choices I was making and how I was utilizing my talents rather than my defaults. The results have reshaped how I am operating on a daily basis and redefining what I felt limitations were.

Taking control our environments, both inner and outer, is one of the most empowering choices we can make. Rather than spin our wheels or operate on our current default programs, taking steps toward our targets can gently move us out of and beyond habits and comfort zones. Most of us really don't want to see areas where we've dropped the ball and epically failed. But what if failing is not an option? What if we release that word and just see everything in the past as a choice...because it is. It may not have been the best choice, but it was a choice and the good news about that is we can always make a different choice or a NEW choice.

Rather than being stuck and stymied by past choices, we can look at those objectively and learn a great deal about our tendencies. We can more effectively change how we do things by being awake and present in the moment. "Interesting that I do this..... what other choices do I have? What would it take to do something different here?" Engaging in authentic observation, sans judgement, is like adding rocket fuel to our forward movement and positive changes. It becomes easy and enjoyable. Like pearls coming off of a necklace we can begin to see a lot of areas that have probably been operating on auto-pilot. We can take note, continue to observe, ask questions and make conscious choices that will shift our trajectories.

I was hesitant to follow a routine and stay in a schedule. In truth, I really don't have a set schedule. I do certain activities at the same time every day, but how I do them varies. For example, I don't always wash clothes on Monday, but when I do wash them, I make sure to dry/hand them and put them away as soon as possible. I don't always cook meals, but when I do, I clean up as I go and I set the kitchen straight before I go to bed. I don't always clean the bathroom, but when it gets grungy, no matter what day it is, I wipe the surfaces and freshen up the space. My home stays organized and functional. I keep on the watch for stray objects and things I no longer love, need or will use. I put them in a box and move them out when the opportunity arrives.

Those choices are paying off. I am seeing the results this week. I have something going on every night. That is not ideal and yet, that's how it came out. Rather than saying, "I can't change it, that's just how it is," I can ask "How can I shift my attitude to have this be more enjoyable?" I can also see that not every week is going to be like this, it's not going to be a pattern for me at all. Instead of "I just have to get through this," I can remind myself of how much I am accomplishing this week, what I am experiencing, what I can learn and what I can be grateful for. Most importantly, I recognize that I am FULLY FREE to experience the activities, rather than feel scattered because my home is a disaster. 

My home is by no means perfect. It likely isn't going to show up in a Country Living Magazine in this lifetime, but I've realized I operate much more efficiently when there are fewer items in my home and it is organized. I don't consider myself to be extremely environmentally sensitive, but I do know that I feel more present and focused. I am not spending large chunks of time sorting, organizing and decluttering. This is a stark contrast from walking into a space where the table is buried unde mail and papers, counters are covered and clothes, coats, and shoes are scattered about. I feels really GOOD to walk into a tidy space. Clearing out excess items and  streamlining my routine are two significant contributions in my life. 

This comes from someone who resisted a routine/schedule because it felt like such a damper to my free style way of spontaneous adventure. Letting go of unnecessary items and then following a more intuitive routine have helped me become more present and engaged in my life. I'm making shifts, changes and choices in other areas too, ones that I never thought I would even consider. This has brought through both curiosity and excitement. There are still plenty of areas and aspects of my life that are not yet congruent with my targets, but I have the confidence, motivation and insight to keep moving toward them. I no longer ask "when" I'm just keeping my eyes on the target.

We are all very busy and with being busy comes the tendency to be distracted. I know this because I've lived it. I will probably continue to have busy days, the difference has become how I utilize my time, talents and resources when things are a bit less chaotic. Being busy is a choice. I had a hard time allowing that viewpoint, but it is true. When we become aware of choices like that, we can truly create changes we never thought were possible. 

Weekly Weeding:
No physical items got weeded this week, I wasn't home long enough to do that! 

Mental Weeding: I'm pulling out the phrase, "I'm too busy to __________." I'm planting these new "seeds" 

• looking ahead, creating a plan
• daily check-in with targets
• participating/ being fully engaged
• taking time-outs when opportunity arises
• recognizing rise and fall of schedule, tending to small tasks daily

Creative Growth Step:



Confession: I'm not much of a water drinker. I knew I need to be drinking more water but it's just boring and I just didn't crave it....I've been asking for creative ways to up my water intake. Here's what came through:

*Grabbed my old, beat up Nalgene water bottle {it survived the purge!} I'm pretty sure that it is 32 oz., although the markings are gone.  

*Added Amazing Grass: helps me get more vegetable intake.  I've have three different flavors in my cupboard so it wasn't something I had to buy, I just had to remember to USE it. 

*Added Dr. Berg's Electrolytes (great source of energy!) 

My target is to drink one bottle in the morning and another by evening. I start drinking water as soon as I get up. I have bulletproof coffee and then I go back to my water concoction. 

Disclaimer: I may not do the same thing tomorrow or the next day. I reserve the right to change my mind, thoughts and beliefs as often and necessary as I feel like. I truly enjoy sharing my words, thoughts, inspirations and experiences, but in no way will I promise to keep doing what I'm currently doing now. I am experiencing the benefits and challenge of consistency and when it stops working for me, I'll give it up and try something else. I avoid painting myself into any corners. As always it is my hope what comes through can be a wonderful contribution to your life and living. 

The Need to Rest, Recognize and Appreciate Accomplishments and... taste the Salsa Verde

This past weekend I didn't do any weeding or working. I'm learning the value of incorporating "recovery" days. My week days are highly structured so on weekends, I do my best to deviate from that norm. 

On Saturday, Joe changed the wipers on my Jeep. It wasn't something I thought about doing and WOW, what a difference it has made in my vision. I think I'll keep him around! We grabbed groceries and went out for dinner at Pryce's favorite spot, Tempura.  

I took some time Sunday afternoon to do some journaling, set my schedule for the week and took inventory of my progress. It's easy for me to be in perpetual work and clearing mode. What is not easy is for me to rest, turn my brain off and just BE. Changing environments helps with that. I was feeling somewhat restless and pretty unmotivated. When that comes through, one of the remedies I apply is to move, even when I don't want to. I walked for an hour, Parker lifted weighs and we all shot hoops. It's been awhile since I've had a basketball in my mind. I'll just say both kids outshot me (not difficult), but they were also able to tell where my power spot was, back in the day (no #Uncle Rico stories, promise!)

When I walked back in our house, I had to smile. The kitchen was clean, neat and tidy. All I had to do was start making dinner... in the past, I would have had to clean up the kitchen before I could start cooking! Certainly one of the benefits of creating a less cluttered kitchen is the ease of making meals. (Thanks to this week's Creative Action Step, it was delicious!) 

Why is this significant? Because before, I would have skipped right over my previous actions and efforts and just gone with what I still had to do for the day, 1. make dinner 2. fold and put away laundry 3. get things ready for the week. I would have been hard on myself for not getting those things done earlier in the day (even though "resting" was beneficial!) I was not upset with myself.  On the contrary, taking some time to reflect and recognize what I've accomplished was an important realization. Yes, there's always more to do, but just for today, I was content to recognize what has been created, instituted and established...and then enjoy it.  

In the past when I've succeeded, I just keep working toward the next target. I'm learning to tune into what feels right for me/my body, I'm not adhering to a {rigid} schedule, but I am staying consistent with my targets. Instead of  powering through projects, checking them off and moving to the next target.I am pausing and taking time to see and enjoy what I am creating. I find it strange that this hasn't come naturally to me.

Weekly Weeding: This wasn't a huge weeding weekend, but I did find a few items that I haven't used. This was a fun hat, I wore it once. I did found a hat I like better, but I likely won't purchase it. After deleting things on a continual basis, I am very hesitant about shopping for anything other than consumables right now. 

I also let this dress go. I love the color and style. It was a deal too (I saved $95 dollars on this one!) I kept it because I thought I would have some fun event to wear it to. I've had fun invitations, but I never remembered to wear the dress. Out it goes. 



Creative Growth Steps: 

My growth steps this week was totally unexpected and very YUMMY! Joe mentioned something about picking up Salsa Verde, to which I replied that I had not tried it. Not really sure why or how I missed it, but for whatever reason, it never found me, until this weekend. We picked some up on Saturday night and I had my first taste, on an omelette! Oh.My.Goodness!!!!! DELICIOUS!!!! I had some on my enchiladas last night too. The jar was completely full and now it's 1/2 full (or 1/2 empty?)At any rate, I'm glad I was willing to try it. 

Sometimes growth steps are about reaching beyond ourselves, working, pushing and making things happen. Sometimes those steps arrive in the unexpected, ease-filled ways! I am wondering what other tastes and flavors are waiting for me to try? 

Creative Action Step: Try new things! 

Word Up: Growth

Around four years ago I started the practice of selecting my Word of the Year. In 2015, the word was VIBRANT. I wasn't feeling that way at all, in fact most of the time I wanted to crawl into cave and hide there. I purposely selected a word that would assist in helping me come out of a self-imposed shell. I also wanted to be more aware of how I carry myself and my presence in the world. Self-observation, done without judgment and honesty can really open one's view points. I'm not always vibrant, but I've learned the essence of the word means, how intoxicating it can feel and how it has absolutely nothing to do with how one looks.

In 2016, I sat in a very uncomfortable chair at Nebraska Medicine, while Pake was recovering from his fifth surgery. I was just starting the last of two graduate classes, one of the hardest I'd ever taken. I felt heavy, burdened, and totally unmotivated. With so many things up in the air, so many tasks that were needing to get done, The word COMPLETION came to me. (It actually took longer than a year for that to manifest; the final "achievement" came through last summer!)

In 2017, with a very broken heart, I selected the word Next-Level. Nothing in my life made sense or fit and I knew it would take my focus to move through the grief and loss I was feeling. Where I had been, was no longer going to be a fit for, where I needed to go. When you are at the bottom of a deep hole, the only way to go is up. There is not a way to minimize grief, numb it out or remove it. It's here, it's there, it's wherever I go/wherever I went. I don't expect that it will leave anytime soon, and I've learned to stop fighting it. Some days are better than others, and the other days, I do my best to find positive ways to move through them. One day, at a time, and somedays it's one hour or one minute at a time.

This year, my word is GROWTH. I don’t have any fixed visions or images of how this will come through. I’ve thought a lot about the word, what it means and how it feels. Lately I have realized that in order to grow, I have to cultivate the space to do so, both within my being and within my environment. To do this, the logical action step is to weed out what has previously blocked my growth. Like any good gardener, I have to cultivate the soil if I want to grow a healthy crop.

I've written about the benefits of clutter clearing. I sometimes post my purge details on social media. It feels GOOD to let go of things I no longer want/need/use. I keep a "release" list in my journal. When an item comes to mind, I write it down, thank it, ask it to find a new home and then I let go. Rather than seasonally clearing clutter, I am now doing this as a continual process. I am curious to see what all will be weeded out this year? I wonder what wonderful invitations and opportunities will come into my space/world/reality?

In looking at the meaning of GROW, I'm seeing that soil (space) is needed to cultivate a healthy garden (life). It is essential that we take the time to get rid of plants/species that take up space, leach nutrients and generally don't contribute anything. (Remind you of any people and/or life situations?) In order to raise a robust garden we have to * clear the space and *til the soil *plant the seeds *tend and nurture seed growth. I'm sure you get the metaphors here.

In my quest to raise my own life's garden, it's become very apparent that I've needed to make some changes. These are by no means drastic shifts, but they are different. They are small, and the key is being consistent, which is a a bit different than what I have practiced before.

Before anything is planted, it is necessary to let go of things that are not bearing fruit. Why waste time on causes, practices, habits, choices and relationships that are not going to contribute me/my life? This does require me to question, observe, and be vigilant on what and where I place my focus. Getting really clear on my priorities and taking daily action steps daily is how I move closer to my targets.

Growth comes in various stages and forms. At times it doesn't require taking steps at all. Our bodies/beings may ask for time to contemplate and rest. Growth happens even if we are sleeping (just look at hair, nails and other cells). Sometimes growth isn't about adding things to our lives. At times, growth may require us to let go of people and situations that stunt and suffocate our upward movements. Cultivating our soil is about pushing through old beliefs, stagnant habits and challenging long-held points of view. Growth happens continually, with and without our conscious interaction. How much could we grow by making the choice to do so, working in conjunction with our time, traits and talents? What shifts would we experience if we co-created with growth, rather than leave it to auto-pilot? What would our lives be like if we took conscious ownership of our growth and took better aim at our targets?

One of the fastest ways for me to change is to do some heavy weeding. Just like clearing out a space in my garden, I need to clear out the spaces in my life for growing the goodness I am asking to experience. I’ll be sharing some thoughts on Letting Go In Order to Grow. I don’t know how long the series will go, I do hope that it can be a contribution to those of you who are ready to create a life that is more congruent with who you are and what you are asking for.

Weekly Weeding:
It's really eye-opening when we become aware of the weeds in our personal spaces. One of the pesky ones for me has been the thought "I'll use it in the future." While it may be true, it is very likely that I will get that future point and forget about the item.

*Vases: I have kept these thinking I will fill them up with cool rocks or shells or found objects. I kept one and let the others go. I think they are neat and fun, and... they feel like clutter. I can replace them if I choose to.

*Scentsy pot and smelly bars: There aren’t hurting anything, but I don’t use them.
I made it a point to use these and then the light burned out. I didn't replace it.
I boxed these up and let them go.

*Tiny lotions, shampoos, conditioners: I kept these because they are handy for travel.

*Water bottles: One of my former obsessions. I have a kept a few for the kids to use and/or
to send with a guest. Like clothing items and shoes, I am only using my favorites
so I'm sending these babies down the road.

*Books: It’s good to purge from time to time. I will likely always buy books
but I'm not keeping ones that I haven't read and know that I won't read.
I have digital copies and those are handy when traveling but I truly enjoy holding a physical
copy and I find it is better on my eyes.

In keeping with recycling tradition, I am happy to gift these items. That said, I don’t want it

to cost me anymore time, money, attention, energy or awareness. What I’ve posted here and
on social media is up for grabs. If you are interested, please come and get these things. ) In fact,
there are probably a lot more that I don't post about, but am ready to release). If you see or
see a particular items and it would be a contribution to you (clothing, shoes,
decorations, books, etc) please let me know! If you are willing to pay for shipping and handling,
I'll happily gift you the item(s). My target is to streamline my life and possessions and if, in the letting go,
those items can be useful to someone, that would make me very happy!

Creative Growth Step:
One of the choices I've made recently was to move from several journals to one. I have abandoned calendars/planners/organizers (hard to do as I LOVED starting new ones!)  I am down to just this journal. It is coffee stained, tattered, and random. It contains my navigation notes, ideas, and actions plans. I have a running list of daily, monthly and yearly steps. I have let go of all other organization systems and just started using and creating what works for me. (I have some really cool, leather, journal covers if anyone is interested in them. I don’t see myself going back to them.) This may seem like a really simple step, but I've found that is very freeing.  I'm not flipping from journal to journal. This one goes with me everywhere. It's big enough, but not too big (I've tried larger and smaller sizes).  I'm a visual person so seeing my thoughts, ideas and schedules is helpful. I use Google Calendars for reminders and appointments. 


Has a word of the year found you? What are your priorities? What are your targets? What actions steps can you take today/this week to move you closer? Please share in the comments below. 

Spaciousness At Home

This was my house in October....

Under the piles, is actually a treadmill

This was the laundry room

seemingly never ending piles of clothes

This is the upstairs, more piles...

best light in the entire space... showing off all the clutter

Last October I dove into my space with the target of clearing out the piles. I used to binge clear. I would go for a time without doing anything and then all of a sudden, when I almost couldn't stand to walk into my space, I would declare war on the piles, sort, throw or keep. This was my method.

I've recently changed this. It sounds really simplistic and it is.... the missing link was establishing my priority of CLEAR. It's no secret that I think better, feel better and accomplish more when my space is neat, tidy and organized. I know this and yet I used my busy schedule and life style to justify why my home was usually in a state of disaster.

Why was it this way? Because even though I was continually weeding out clutter, I was not been vigilant about what came in the door. I had allowed items into my life to remain  past their points of contribution.

Clutter, people and life situations require clear, effective boundaries and conscious communication. I have bought and even been gifted with great items. The glitch is when I failed to recognize the timeline of things/people/situations. I typically don't hold on or become attached, but I also don't "give them the boot". That's what has changed.

To get to where I want to be, emotionally, mentally, and physically, I had to get really clear on what I genuinely want to experience. I needed to clarify what I was going to give my time, attention and energy too. There are a lot of choices and if we don't identify and anchor those down, we are likely going to accumulate excess. I kept fighting with clutter (and clutter translates to a myriad of other symbolisms, so insert for what you are fighting with) and loosing the battle. It was push and pull. I'd clean and clear and a month later, I'd be back to square one. After a lot of frustration, I finally started asking open-ended questions...and followed the awareness. I was good at brining clutter in, I was pretty good at getting rid of it, but what would it take to eliminate both of those steps, free up more time, and really enjoy my days, sans constant clutter purges?

I set my target to clearing off the counters every night before I went to sleep. No matter what my day had been like, no matter how tired I was, this would be my reset button. It has been working, thus my reason for this post. I've kept this up for over a month, expanding and contracting here and there. Consistency has been an important key.

I am seeing and experiencing the benefits. A few weeks ago I did another clutter detox. Even the kids got on board (maybe not willingly at first, but they certainly contributed when I asked.) Pryce's room transformed very quickly (I'm still slightly concerned that she could need some hoarding intervention at some point, but not as worried as I used to be ;).  We spruced up the Parker's suite, sorted and stored the Christmas tote. That's a sign of progress right there. In my old life I had six totes of Christmas decorations. We are down to one, stockings and all.

Last night, really rocked my world. I had written down "taxes" in my bullet journal list for January. I broke down the epic a** pain into smaller action steps. It had been on my mind. While I wasn't consciously planning on it, I felt the inspiration to open Quicken. I was able to find the version from last spring and one step led to another.... I entered all my data for 2017 in one night. WOW (HDIGBTT?!?) This is first for me. I've never done this task in January. I truly feel that I was able to accomplish this, because I had cleared the space to do so. By choosing to be vigilant, discerning and taking action with clutter, continually, rather than in spurts, I was able to act on the idea of "I wonder what it would take to get data entered easily?"  It makes me excited and it makes me wonder what else I can accomplish (that I formerly detested, avoided, procrastinated and fretted about?) What if getting things done was easy and fun for me? What if I could enjoy the daily process and see it as an interesting and enjoyable challenge? What if..... (you get the idea of how the questions work for me!)

While having clean, clear counters and living space may not seem like a big deal, to me it's become a reminder of staying awake and aware of what comes into my home/life. I feel better, more clear and focused. I feel like I can more easily contribute to myself and to others when I show up in my life, without unnecessary distractions and excess. I believe that the spaces we create, both inside and out, affect everything from our energy levels to our attitude. How we feel, how we show up in our personal space can translate to how we are showing up in our lives. I feel it's important to be vigilant about what we are allowing in and giving our space and attention to. We are abundantly blessed with so much; it is not a sin to be discerning and selective in how we spend time time, talents and resources. 

I'll be sharing a new series Letting Go In Order to Grow  next week, I hope it is inspiring and motivating for what you are aiming for this year. What would it take for 2018 to be the best year you've ever had?!

Here are some fresh kitchen pictures. My space is old and outdated. It is also clean and functional. I appreciate the small space because it doesn't take much to clean up. 

Cleared off stove. First time for that since I've moved in. Usually items were piled here too.

Pryce's art work is featured throughout the kitchen and living room. I have stopped buying wall decor, I just ask her to customize a piece for me. It's great having an in-home artist.



My target is to keep counter spaces clear. I actually keep pictures on my phone/instagram, so I can keep the visual in mind for motivation. This often serves as my standing desk. I don't have an office so this is a functional space. Clutter and mail used to get placed here. I now sort mail right when it comes in the door. I have a tin box with envelopes, stamps and a pen. I also have a bill file right around the corner so receipts get put in that right away, without piling up. A few years ago I spent an entire day going organizing receipts. Ugh. I also spent an entire afternoon canceling catalogs and unnecessary mail. 

I keep the energy fresh and circulating by adding seasonal symbols in the corner. I used to decorate the entire house for every holiday. I still decorate, just on a smaller scale, with simple items that are special to me. These are usually vintage pieces and mostly found treasures such as shells, rocks, feathers and sometimes antlers.

Another target, no dishes in the sink. I used to store the French Press, coffee cups and other items that I didn't feel like putting in the dishwasher. I use to use the dishwasher as a storage zone as well. We use the dishwasher a lot, as there is one set of dinnerware (6 plates, 6 bowls) and a few drinking glasses. The dishwasher dies this summer and rather than opt for a new unit, I just had new guts installed in this one. This is also the best place in the house for plants because of the south facing window. Notice my little purple orchid is in bloom!!!

My old, scratched, metal table. I sometimes place something I'm loving in the middle of the table. I found an itty bitty succulent and placed it in a tiny little dish, that somehow survived previous purges. Miracles happen all the time!