Letting go of money spent

I spent $30 on a pair of underwear. And actually I bought 3 pairs. And then I hated them. For the several months since that purchase, I’ve forced myself to wear them, grumbling each time I put them on, shimmying awkwardly throughout the day as they rolled down into a weird shape (they are high-waisted… Continue reading…

Less fussing – kids clothes

I’ve been considering a minimalist wardrobe for the girls. There are obvious benefits, the same that apply to a minimalist wardrobe for myself – Less laundry Forces me to keep up with laundry Less space required for storing clothes Less fussing in the morning about what to wear Things to consider in order to implement… Continue reading…

Happiness isn’t so hard after all

“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top… Continue reading…

Choosing Gratitude Over Grumpiness

“We hold the key to lasting happiness in our own hands. For it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” From Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer by Brother David Steindl-Rast   It was just one of those days. Nothing in particular had made me upset that particular morning,… Continue reading…

Happy Weekend Reads

How Short Rests Can Make You Healthier, Happier, and More Productive Sometimes it’s hard to remember that taking time to do nothing can be as productive as checking items off your to-do list. Learning to rest, without feeling guilty, is vital to anyone’s well-being and happiness! Use the good stuff So much of our time… Continue reading…

Don’t Fear the Mirror

I pulled into the parking spot and immediately flipped down my visor to inspect a little bump on my forehead. It was a blackhead, so I went to squeeze it (of course) and I noticed that Helen, my nearly-3-year-old daughter, was looking at me in the mirror. Just watching. And it occurred to me that… Continue reading…

Searching for Identity

I am terrified of never figuring out what truly makes me happy. I look at the people around me, and most of them seem to have at least some idea of what does it for them. My best friend has a photography business and makes jewelry to sell at craft shows. My mother just started… Continue reading…

Be My Valentine? (4 Awesome Printables)

Everyone is always arguing about whether or not to celebrate Valentine’s Day, how it’s just another excuse to buy into the commercialist machine, how single people are left out, and so on. Honestly, I don’t care about roses or exchanging gifts, and I certainly don’t feel like fighting the traffic to go out to a… Continue reading…

Indulging in Self Care

Michael and I were looking at our budget and deciding which ways we could cut back. He concluded that he didn’t mind spending less on going out for coffee, and asked if I wanted to make the same cut-back. After thinking for a moment, I said no.