Jan. 11, 2008
2005 Resolution --- Take Four.
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Happy 2008. I haven't really made any huge 'resolutions'. I'm still working on the resolution that I made a few years back....simplifying. Who knew that it was so much work to simplify?! We have made good progress though. I'm hoping to complete that process this year. Of course, it will be ongoing since it's a habit and lifestyle that we hope to have for our family. We've never been ones to keep a lot of things. But, as anyone with a house full of children knows, your home can accumulate so much when kids are present. We've given away so much in the last two years. This year, I need to, finally, go through all of our baby clothes and maternity clothes and all of the other baby things that are packed away. Our youngest will be six in a couple of months and I guess it's time. We've given away the big stuff already, but all of the little stuff that's packed away still needs to be dealt with. I dread doing that, being the sentimental person that I am, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. But, there's more to simplicity than just living more minimally. We've been working on this as well. Homeschoolilng in and of itself adds to the complexity of life. We're learning new habits that can help here as well though, so -- maybe by 2009 I can make a different resolution. ( !! ) Our diets are pretty simple too, we eat all-natural. Organic when possible. Not having processed chemicals masquerading as nutrition makes one feel much better! I never thought that I had this person inside of me who did the whole 'all-natural' thing....but, here she is and she's growing on me a lot. Our desire to eat more naturally, eventually found it's way into choosing other natural products in our household. Natural cleaners are so much better than commercially made products. We're learning a lot in this new "granola" phase of our life (as one called it). I went into 2007 with one goal to begin this process of natural eating....and that was to avoid any products made with corn syrup. Then it evolved from there, and now eating and living more naturally has become second-nature to us. We wouldn't go back for anything. So, here I am beginning the year 2008 still trying to expound on the same goals that I set years ago. I really didn't know what all was involved in simplifying. It seemed like an innocent resolution at the time, but over the years, it grows into more and more areas of our lives. The process has been exhausting at times, but very worthwhile. I recommend that everyone try it. One step at a time, it's not hard. Like everything, it's a process. You can't jump from point A to point Z in one week/month (and if you're like me, YEAR), but every little bit helps and keeps you motivated toward the next goal. Happy, Simple, Natural New Year! |