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Well, my friends, I hope you had an unforgettable celebration of the new year! Now that the recollections of the year past are slowly melting into hopes for the year that begins it is time to seriously sit and plan the steps we are to take towards a simpler lifestyle.
Not because I am an organization freak, but rather because planning is the key to simplification. I have found out that if you are to live a simple life your goals and objectives should be clear.
It's like going from adolescence to adulthood. One day you wake up and realize that your parents are not there to take your responsibility and school is no longer your main occupation. It's the moment when you have to be totally honest with yourself and confront your fears.
To help you take the steps, one by one, without hurry and with sufficient support I have tailored a plan for you and me.
Each month in 2013 will be dedicated to a topic that will bring us closer to our simpler lives.
January will be the Get Out of Your Comfort Zone month.
We are diving straight into deep waters with this one, aren't we! But don't be afraid, together as a community we can make the process so much easier!
February will be about... wait! Why don't you tell me what you want us to discuss here and I will incorporate it into the schedule. You get a say in how we spend our months on Kanelstrand if we are going to simplify together.
Drop me a line in the comments, let me know which aspect of simplification you have been struggling with and together we'll make a plan for all of us.
Don't be shy, I will consider your opinion even if you have never commented on Kanelstrand!
Well, my friends, I hope you had an unforgettable celebration of the new year! Now that the recollections of the year past are slowly melting into hopes for the year that begins it is time to seriously sit and plan the steps we are to take towards a simpler lifestyle.
Not because I am an organization freak, but rather because planning is the key to simplification. I have found out that if you are to live a simple life your goals and objectives should be clear.
It's like going from adolescence to adulthood. One day you wake up and realize that your parents are not there to take your responsibility and school is no longer your main occupation. It's the moment when you have to be totally honest with yourself and confront your fears.
Each month in 2013 will be dedicated to a topic that will bring us closer to our simpler lives.
January will be the Get Out of Your Comfort Zone month.
We are diving straight into deep waters with this one, aren't we! But don't be afraid, together as a community we can make the process so much easier!
February will be about... wait! Why don't you tell me what you want us to discuss here and I will incorporate it into the schedule. You get a say in how we spend our months on Kanelstrand if we are going to simplify together.
Drop me a line in the comments, let me know which aspect of simplification you have been struggling with and together we'll make a plan for all of us.
Don't be shy, I will consider your opinion even if you have never commented on Kanelstrand!
And while we're at it, have you already taken The Simple Living Pledge?
Hi! I am happy that you are doing this. I wanted to do something similar on my blog because I think it would be such a great accountability tactic!
ReplyDeleteI think simplifying your schedule would be a good topic. I would also love a simple plan for growing your own food (as least partially).
Looking forward to following along!
Yes, great accountability tactic and doing it together adds a lovely feeling to it and diminishes intimidation!
DeleteSimplifying your schedule could be incorporated well in simplifying your daily life, what do you say?
I'd definitely appreciate some help with simplifying physical space (i.e. a small apartment). Thanks Sonya!
ReplyDeleteYes, another great idea! My family is currently going through the challenge/blessing of living in a small space where we have to train our brains daily, so I know what you mean. We will certainly cover the topic!
DeleteAh, I like this idea, it's definitely something I've been trying to work on more. I have a problem simplifying my focus--I keep meandering all over the place on a million projects without focusing on the big stuff.
ReplyDeleteRachel, you always come up with such great thoughts! Simplifying your focus will go so well with my philosophy of single-tasking! I would love to explore the topic in depth!
DeleteI'd love to simplify our workspace! We craft together, and our workspace has to fit 4 different minds...Needless to say, it ALWAYS seems to be a mess no matter how much I try to organize it.
ReplyDelete~Kim
Great, thank you, Kim!
DeleteGreat idea, Sonya. I am trying to simplify my eating habits to all natural and healthy foods. :)
ReplyDeleteNatural and healthy foods is a serious topic that needs our attention for sure!
DeleteOh I SOOOO need to get out of my comfort zone! As for next month, here's something I've been struggling with, which I'd love to have your ideas on: As with the picture you posted above, finding the balance between simplicity and boredom/emptiness. I'm in a transition phase and looking at future 'careers' and questioning the kind of lifestyle that will work for me, and I'm discovering that I have about 4 areas of interest I'd like to pursue, but no clue which one to pick (I'd like to pick them all and spread it out over the week, but it doesn't really bode well for simplicity!) - so I'd love you to talk a bit about making choices, weighing options, and DOING! (Right now I'm stifled with all my ideas!)
ReplyDeleteI love that we're starting the year with such a challenge!
ReplyDeleteGetting out of our comfort zone during the first month, means that we'll be expanding the playground in which to play during the rest of the year. Nicely planned!
Thank you, Ana! Yes, I thought that starting out radically will help us spend the year in a more unexpected way!
DeleteThis is a good one for January! I did this a bit in 2012, dipped a toe in so to speak, but it's time to jump in. Even if the water is cold this time of year. Haha. I love the idea of a simple life and I think it's about focus, prioritizing, eliminating things that waste time and energy, cleaning out clutter, and honing in on what you're meant to do in this life and who you're meant to do it with. xo
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed! Is there a topic on which our opinions differ? We have to explore!
DeleteHow about for February - Simplicity is living green. I struggle with this in a world where it so so easy to throw things away and to waste
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you for such a great idea. Of course, simplicity and green living go hand in hand. We'll cover that too!
DeleteHey there - thank you for doing this! I have been simplifying on my own for more than a year now, but having a community sounds just so much better! Being a mom of 3, a resident i Psychiatry, a "creative soul" and wanting a "green" life stye I struggle with honoring the rhythm of my life and finding a balance between the "have to's" and the "want to's" I believe that there are health and happiness to be found if we do focus on these. I think that stress occurs when we push plans through even though the family is in a slower rhythm wether its because of the season or any other reason.
ReplyDeleteAlso as an occupational interest I am passionate about the concept of "food for thought" - What we eat or do not eat also has great impact on our minds in addition to our bodies - I don't know if that knowledge simplifies my life , but I do know that it helps the mental as well as the physical well being of my family!
Happy new year to you and everybody who seems so engaged here! I am of to figure out how to get the pledge badge onto my site!
Best regards
http://recyclingmama.squarespace.com/home/2013/1/2/thrift.html
Hi Krisha,
DeleteIt is so nice to have you here. Food for thought is such a great topic to cover during our month of healthier eating! Also, all other aspects of simplifying you mention are so important. I would love to have you onboard our simplification because together we can make it way more fun!
Sound like a great plan! Simplicity is my goal for this year, so I am looking forward to all your future posts.
ReplyDeleteValerie
Everyday Inspired