Finding Happiness

... living simply isn't about becoming an ascetic; it's not about denying yourself pleasure and joy. It's not about austerity. Instead it's about building a life steeped in the only precious gifts that can bring happiness: time, freedom and community. The focus is on life, not stuff. 

Tammy Strobel You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap)

So the draw has just taken place for my 100 posts giveaway of Tammy Strobel's  inspirational book and I'm so pleased to announce the winner...

Congratulations to Jenny from Audrey Finch. From one cold part of the world to another... just email me your details, Jenny.

Thank you all for reading, following and entering the giveaway. Until tomorrow. xo

52 Weeks of Happy (16/52)

Brrr... a few things keeping me happy during our current cold snap.

♥ My first time at the new book club I've just joined. I was made to feel most welcome.
♥ Walks at dusk - being outside and catching the last of the light as it slips away.
♥ A light dusting of snow which didn't last long but was still pretty.
♥ I've decided January is not the month for dieting - bring on the carbs.

Hope you're nice and toasty this evening or enjoying the sun if you're lucky enough to be somewhere warm.

My giveaway closes tonight to anyone who's not yet entered. Good luck!

xo

Minimalist Monday: Redefining Success

We all want to feel successful but is society's current measure of success healthy, meaningful and good for the soul?

Too often in our materialistic and status driven society people are seen as successful because of

• the job that they do
• how much they earn
• how many hours they work
• where they live
• the size of their house
• how they dress
• the car that they drive
• how busy they are
• their social life
• their physical appearance
• the holidays that they take
• the technology that they own
• their social networking profile
• their relationship status
• who they know
• their background
• their education
• how stressed they are!!!

Striving to achieve these things often leads to disillusionment, debt, stress and possibly ill health. Are these measures of success fragile and shallow?

Minimalism and simple living can inspire you to stop chasing material possessions and status and to focus instead on defining yourself in a different way. 

If you live a simpler life you can be a successful and happier person because you

• don't follow the crowd
• are not striving for the next big thing
• are relaxed
• are content with what you've got
• have more time to devote to your relationships
• have less distractions
• are creative
• are resourceful
• enjoy your own company
• contribute to your community
• care about others less fortunate than yourself
• share what you have however little
• don't compare yourself to others
• don't take yourself too seriously
• have time to think clearly
• have time to appreciate everyday pleasures
• don't judge
• give more than you take
• accept yourself for what you are
• follow your passions 
• value relationships over possessions

I'm not suggesting that you stop striving to improve yourself or opt out of modern day life completely. And you can be a high earner and still have meaningful relationships and enjoy simple pleasures... but it isn't as easy. Finding the balance between outward measures of success and less visible measures of success is a quandary for many of us.

Is a simpler life a more successful life? 

Food for thought.

Just a Simple Sunday

Today was a simple Sunday - we didn't use the car, spend any money or have any schedule other than our own. There was a little bit of work to be done, some everyday domestic tasks to tackle and thank-you letters to write but as working parents that's par for the course.

My day started with a walk to explore the frosty landscape. The birds were chattering away but wouldn't oblige me with a photo.

The house felt cosy by mid-morning as sun filtered in and chicken casserole took shape in the kitchen.

As daylight slipped away hubs joined me for a late-afternoon walk. The wintry stillness matched a quiet but peaceful day. Just got to remember who sent what for the thank-you notes now... 

Too Old for White Trainers

one of hubs' fave t-shirts - he was a born minimalist (unlike me)

Alongside setting up my office nook in our bedroom I'm currently decluttering this room as part of my Making Room series (decluttering room by room). After seven months in this house we're tackling some of the wayward clutter that is still hanging around and our bedroom currently seems to be a magnet for it. So this afternoon I helped hubs with a light edit of his wardrobe.

He knows my minimalist mantras off by heart now and he's a true vet of the process so it wasn't time-consuming or difficult. In fact it only took about forty five minutes and I was surplus to requirements really - I cheered him on as I lay on the bed and took photos.

We started by emptying each drawer in his chest of drawers. My tried and tested method is to focus on deciding what to keep rather than what to lose. Each item was sorted according to a wear or don't wear statement. There were few deliberations - the rejected garments were either discarded because they were too worn or too tight.

We then set to work on editing the clothes and shoes in his half of the wardrobe and again this wasn't too difficult. Decluttering your wardrobe second or third time around is really so much easier than the first. He thinks he's too old for white trainers (apart from for exercise purposes) - more a brogues man now - so two white pairs were rejected alongside two other worn out pairs. 

Here is a list of what was removed from his wardrobe:

9 pairs of socks, 4 pairs of pants, 1 scarf, 6 t-shirts, 5 long-sleeved tops, 1 short-sleeved shirt, 2 long-sleeved shirts, 1 cardigan, 1 pair of jeans, 2 pairs of shorts and 5 pairs of trainers/shoes. 

Not bad for less than an hours work and we have one large bag to donate to charity and two bags for recycling. I think we're on a roll.

I imagine my forthcoming clothes edit may be slightly harder but I'm determined to get my wardrobe down to a more manageable level. I'll update you soon.

What's it Like Living in a Tiny House?

Happy Friday! It's been a long and tiring week and I have even found blogging hard this week - we're calling it post-Christmas-jet-lag here. 

Hope you have a relaxing end to the week and a restorative weekend whatever you're doing. I'm off to a book club annual meal tonight (my new book club - eek) and over the weekend I'm going to help hubs minimise his wardrobe - his idea not mine!

I'm leaving you a link to some new photos from Tammy Strobel's tiny house - great inspiration for decluttering.

And just a reminder that my giveaway of Tammy's book You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap) closes on Tuesday. Just leave a comment here or after the original post if you're interested. 

 xo

Wall Art Decisions

Yay! My new desk arrived last week (in fact I ordered it on Christmas Day as it had been out of stock for weeks - how crazy is that?) I have a chair, a lamp and plenty of work to be getting on with. However, I have just one lonely picture hanging above it at the moment. 

I'd like to develop the wall into a mini-gallery. Nothing too perfect or permanent and not too busy either. A simple motivational word or two but I don't want to go word-mad. And maybe a little diy art project. I have no money left for buying new art and anyway it's more fun to be original. 

So that's my design brief and here's some current inspiration. More on this project soon.

1/2/3

David Bowie is

source

David Bowie fever has hit our household. After a ten year break and on his 66th birthday the release of his comeback single Where Are We Now has surprised and pleased the world in equal measure. I live with two musos and there has been much excited chat and Bowie blaring out over the last 24 hours.

Accompanying his wistful new single and upcoming album there is an exhibition David Bowie is at the V&A Museum in London, featuring over 300 objects including original costumes, handwritten lyrics and his personal sketches. Now that's something I would love to see.

The Beatles of the 70s, timeless in his creativity, cultural style icon and master of reinvention Bowie is a legend. Never one to stand still or be predictable he turned down Danny Boyle's invitation to perform at London 2012, which I think, says a lot about him. Someone dancing to their own beat... that's what I admire.