Tag Archives: contentment

Around Here- February Edition

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Around here, we are solidly in winter and it’s a real winter unlike some recent ones where there’s been little snow. It’s cold AND snowy right now. I like the snow but dislike waking up on these subzero nights to run water so it doesn’t freeze. Keeping the bird feeders full has been something of a project as well. My feathered friends are desperate for nourishment in our frozen world.

Around here, work is keeping me occupied and is occupying my thoughts outside of work hours too. It’s that time of year and I have to remind myself that this too shall pass. Consequently, I’m throwing all my energy into protecting my own mental health.

To that end, I’m spending a lot of time curled up with a blanket and a book. In fact, I’m about six books ahead toward meeting this year’s reading goal. Don’t be impressed though. I’ll soon start falling behind. When the weather warms up, I’ll be out adventuring instead of home reading. I’m savoring every word and every page right now, grateful there are so many smart people out there who write good books.

I am thoroughly enjoying my reading and quiet as I chip away at the book stack that’s now occupying a good chunk of my dining room table. It’s a visual reminder of all the amazing books awaiting my attention and a reminder of how much I enjoy the written word.

Around here, I’m also enjoying the sixth season of All Creatures Great and Small. This is not a reboot of the original tv show but a reimagining of the amazing stories written by author James Herriot. Set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in the years leading up to (and now at the end of) World War II, this show is quite literally the only thing I look forward to seeing. It is a tragically short season of just seven episodes. It’s one of those shows that I will watch and rewatch because it’s simply that well done. I once heard a critic refer to it as slow tv, an annoying but apt description as the show focuses on the people and animals rather than explosive one-upmanship like so many other modern tv shows.

Around here, slow tv is a welcome part of my attempts at slow living. Those slow living efforts are made easier by the continuation of my No Spend Challenge. This continues to go well and be fun but I’m suddenly very tired of deciding what to cook and feeling like doing dishes is my full time job. I know this is just a phase but I sometimes think how delightful it would be to just order pizza.

Around here, Scout has been cozying up in the strangest places, finding warmth and comfort wherever he can. He’s a funny guy and a good little companion who is thrilled to have me home more this winter.

Around here, I’m snug and happy in my snow globe world, thankful for my job and all the comforts it brings to my life -even if I’m in the midst of a rough patch.

And as always, I believe that having things to look forward to is a key to happiness so I’m working on making sure that I have plenty to anticipate including a weekend away with my Pittsburgh pal this spring.

Around here, life is pretty good.

No Spend Challenge Month One

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Scout is always watching.

Today is January 31 and technically the end of my No Spend Challenge. I started on December 30 so I’ve had a pretty good run so far. This isn’t the end though. I’m just going to recalibrate and keep going for a while longer.

This month has been great. I accomplished some goals but still have some work to do. This challenge isn’t about saving money so much as it is about changing habits. I’m not fighting urges but still need more time because the world is a rough place when you live in such a consumeristic time.

It’s amazing to me how much advertising and suggestion we are exposed to in a day whether you’re out walking around, home watching tv or scrolling on your phone. Even when watching a tv show with no commercials you are being sold products and lifestyle.

Social media has rebranded overconsumption as cute, organized, chic or simply the thing that everyone is doing. If you see videos of people unpacking Walmart hauls, redecorating their homes with new furniture every year, or decanting their prepackaged snacks into cute little containers that make their pantry look like a store you know what I mean.

It’s no wonder Americans are so wasteful with money and other resources. We see it modeled everywhere we look.

Meanwhile, I’ve cooked most meals this month using mostly things I already had. Bills are paid and my budget has been obeyed this month. Mind you, my challenge these days isn’t nearly as strict as it once was. For example, I allowed myself to keep the Book of the Month subscription. My job took me to a bookstore for a writing assignment and I bought two books while there because I couldn’t go representing my job and leave empty handed.

These things were budgeted but the budget was for the amount of books, not the cost of them. Remember, I’m here to change habits and buying books is a hard habit that I don’t want to break but do need to harness.

I’ve barely been inside a store since last month and haven’t been tempted by any online shopping. Life in my snow globe using what I own has been pretty awesome.

Last night I combined a can of tomato basil soup with half a bag of frozen cheese ravioli to make the absolute best and unexpected comfort food. The leftovers will be amazing. I intended to use half the contents in my refrigerator freezer this month and probably have. It’s not nearly as full even though I’ve added a few leftovers for later.

Mt craft room is as organized as it has been in years. I still need to vacuum in there. Some shelves need organized better and I have two containers to sort but I’m gonna go ahead and start celebrating the fact it’s safe to open the door and let Scout explore.

Plus, I have read twelve books this month.

I’m calling January a success.

Next month, I have budgeted for a birthday gift for my mother and a Valentine’s Day excursion with my fella but will otherwise continue with the January rules.

I know people whose No Spend Challenges are extremely strict. Mine were in the beginning years too but I’ve found over time that it’s more productive to plan for life’s extras rather than pretend they don’t exist. I’m not going to say no to our Valentines tradition just because it involves spending a little money when it’s something we both enjoy and delaying it a month sounds silly.

If you’re thinking about trying a challenge like this, I want you to know that saving cash is a wonderful side effect but that’s temporary if you go back to your old ways as soon as the challenge ends. In my world, there is no list of things to go buy when it’s over. That wouldn’t contribute to habit change at all.

My goal is to learn my own triggers and find ways to combat them in the future. And yes, the past has taught me that I will eventually fall back into some bad habits.

That’s why I do this every year – to reset and improve. I am human after all.

If you’re considering a No Spend Challenge, February is a great month to try because it’s the shortest. It’s only 28 days!

No Spend Challenge – Day Six

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This is day six of my No Spend Challenge. So far, things have mostly gone as planned. There was an unplanned doctor visit and some OTC medicine and I stopped at the store for some produce to get me through this coming week. Every dollar spent was well within bounds of my rules and nothing was spent on anything unnecessary – not even a book! 

This was my first week back to work after the holidays and I was a bit sluggish so evenings were quiet. I decluttered a few things and tidied my laundry room. I enter the house through this room. It’s where shoes are kicked off and where a tall open shelving unit serves as a pantry. It also tends to be messy so it  was a relief to clean up this space because it was starting to cause anxiety. 

There remains a long list of things that need done and things I want to do that will keep me entertained through the winter. 

The No Spend Challenge is most successful when I focus on my own thoughts and actions. Nothing makes me appreciate not shopping like decluttering and nothing makes me appreciate staying home like feathering my nest and being cozy inside. While cleaning last night, I discovered no fewer than a half dozen bottles of shampoo of different brands languishing in the cupboard. There’s clearly no need to buy more until this supply is exhausted. It makes me wonder how much more excess lurks in the corners of my home. 

THIS is part of the purpose behind a no spend challenge. It isn’t about deprivation or about being miserable. It’s about taking a hard look at how you live, the excess that fills your home and the choices you make. It’s about being happy with what you have. 

One day next week, I’ll have to buy lunch while out with colleagues. Eating out right now is problematic because of nutritional changes I have made but, as far as the challenge goes, this is fine. Dining out because there’s no choice is acceptable but it’s not ok if I’m just doing it because cooking is hard. So far, every morsel of food I have eaten since January 1 has been prepared by my own hands – nothing processed and nothing from a restaurant – and I’m much happier. 

Are you doing a No Spend Challenge? How’s it going? This is my sixth year and I look forward to it each time. I’m always curious to hear other people’s stories!

Contentment

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While everyone else was chatting with friends, snapping selfies and running from one row of plants to another, this woman at Sunset Ridge Lavender Farm had a different approach.

She seemed to be in her own little world, quietly snipping her lavender and enjoying the beautiful early summer day. Here she is holding up her bouquet next to the ring they give customers to help determine appropriate size of bouquet.

I saw her several times and thought she looked so pretty in her hat and bib overalls. She also seemed calm, serene and content to take her time and enjoy the moment.

I liked her spirit.

If only we could all find such contentment in the small things and in the quiet moments. That is my wish for you and for myself as well. It may not be easy as every day isn’t a walk through a lavender patch but we can strive to find satisfaction in the common moments of our day.

Make this a great day, friends.