My journey to simplicity

When I started writing my blog, I didn't expect people would read it. I hoped they would, but I didn't expect it. Turns out, people are reading it. And even better, some find value in my writings! Eric West of minimalyou.com reached out to me last Friday to let me know that one of my posts was featured on his website that day. He said he's actually featured my writings a few times on his site. How cool is that?! In his words: " ... I really love your writing and I think you can inspire our readers. " Thank you, Eric! I have to say I like his site, too. Although many of us are trying to live the best life we can by simplifying it, minimalism's still not common practice. I don't know many people in my immediate surroundings who would call themselves a minimalist. Some are, just by their nature, like my dad was and some of the men I've dated. Others are applying some aspects of it. But I don't know of many who actively pursue it. So what do peo

A few years ago, I accompanied one of my friends to a condo the company he worked for owned near Montreal. He traveled between Ottawa and Montreal for work. When he worked out of Montreal, he lived out of that condo. I loved that place! It had only the required furniture and accessories a person would need to live comfortably, and a few decorative pieces. He'd only have to bring his clothes and toiletries with him. There was no clutter. Everything had a place. It was such a calm space. Last week I wrote about how I didn't know why I've kept some of the things I've kept, such as everything that's in my bin of odds and ends . So I took action and made a digital inventory of everything that was in that bin and boxed it up. I then went around the apartment looking for other odds and ends that I could add to that box. My week has been busy, so I'm not done yet. This weekend, once I'm done going around the apartment in search for other items to add, I'll sea

In 2015, I let go of many things. I didn’t really count how many things I kept or got rid of, but I think I can say that I purged about 75% of my stuff, if not more. However, I look around my apartment and think I could get rid of more things. Odds and ends I have a bin with odds and ends in my closet. I have no idea why I’m keeping these items. I threw them all in there because I didn’t really know where to put these things, and yet, I don't think I've ever used any of it. Clothes When I set up my closet after moving in last September, I hung all of my clothes on the rod on the left side of my walk-in closet. As I wore items and washed them, I hung those pieces on the right. Some items haven't moved. There are also clothes in my dresser drawers that I haven't worn in about a year. Furnishings and accessories I have empty bins and baskets, a bookcase, a mirror, and a few lamps we no longer use that I’ve put away in the storage area. Kitchen utensils Many

I've mentioned in January that 2016 is the year I get things done . Those little things that I've put off taking care of because they just didn't seem important enough at the time, but they've still been weighing on my mind. Even though things have been difficult lately, I've been knocking things off of my 2016 to do list. I've taken care of my box of random electronic accessories, I've gotten my bus pass, and I've taken care of a few other random little things I didn't mention in that post. I'm taking my time. In better circumstances, I'd probably be almost done with my list by now. But I've decided to cut myself some slack and just do a few little things here and there when I have the energy for it. Along with the support of Mr. Romantic, My Awesome Friend Christy, my family and other friends, taking care of these things has been helping me through the difficult time. In life, it seems there are many things we can't control. That