I've started the year 2026, reading The More of Less by Joshua Becker. I've been okay with purging items, but I truly want to keep the things that bring me joy and let go of the rest. I love making my home feel comfortable and warm and full, but I'm hoping I can do that without it ACTUALLY being SO full. It feels like I am endlessly posting items on Facebook marketplace, which is fine, clearly I can let things go, but I also want to slow down on unnecessary purchases, whether it be fast fashion or crappy clearance items... Becker asks some questions to get us started, so here goes:
1. What experiences, good and bad, have shaped your life? Growing up, I feel like I hung on to a lot to feel some safety and security that I was lacking in other aspects of my life. I've always liked to personalize my space, though. When I made the move to Colorado, I definitely had to consider what was really important and what could be let go or stay behind. Moving back and forth many times through college and then different states and countries, I think I definitely got better at keeping things that were meaningful but not hoarding EVERYthing. The girls' daily art projects at church or the gym helped me to learn creative ways of keeping their art without actually keeping all of it. Living in my sister's basement in 2016-2017 with my girls and sharing one room, one bed, and one closet, helped me REALLY see how we could live MUCH simpler, to the point that I actually considered that we should have a tiny home. That was freeing to realize how little we needed to be happy. I feel that being a military partner, at times, pushed me into thinking I needed to "keep up" with others, and I have definitely gone through so many times of making purchases due to pressure or influence of others. That is one thing I really want to work on.
2. My notable achievements that help me see a theme/similarities? There are achievements that have definitely helped me realize that I am hardheaded, and I typically like to do things independently. My schooling, my physical challenges like half-marathons and mud runs, were done for myself. The first time I went up the Manitou Incline, I did it by myself... and many solo times after... I like to do things without the pressure of others around me and to prove I can do things on my own. I definitely think that is a reoccuring theme. I'm not one to need to prove myself to others, only to remind (or teach myself) that I am enough and I am capable.
3. What problems in the world am I passionate about solving? Hmm. I really did enjoy the life in Germany, the way they recycle and reuse things abundantly more than we do in the US. I really miss that. It feels like a difficult thing to take on here, but I try to make little changes when I can. I would like to make purchases that are meaningful. I also really miss how they enjoyed their time, didn't rush. Talking to neighbors and walking the town, really embracing life and the people in it.
4. If money is no object, what work would I do? Clearly, I am already pursuing that with my profession... ha, it's not about my paycheck, although I will say I am grateful for the path that I have landed on. I do love teaching, and I suppose if the money wasn't relevant, maybe I'd focus more on my art, in whatever medium it may be. Yarn or drawing or painting, maybe photography or something more hands-on that I build. I definitely always want to be creating.
5. What dreams do I wish I had pursued harder? I feel like #4 really honed in on that. My art, even the graphic design aspect of it... I truly loved creating logos and doing layouts/design, but there was a lot of other stuff that went into the career that I didn't love.
6. What is the lasting legacy you want to leave? I want to leave a legacy of being thoughtful. Strong. Loyal. I don't think or have a passion to be someone that changes the world, however, I just hope that I have an influence on my friends and families and people that surround me. I hope that when I'm remembered, it makes me smile warmly.
7. Whom do I most admire? I'm not sure I'm ready to put any specific names, but I will say that people I most admire are the people that are comfortable in their skin. People that don't necessarily go with the crowd, but stand their ground for beliefs and feelings. People that know who they are and don't get swayed easily by others. People that are just. And loving. Kind. Thoughtful. Chivalrous. Those that work hard, but in a way that is for them or their families, not just for the grind. People that are present. Genuine.
These are all questions I was to answer before exploring minimalism or even beginning the process of decluttering. This felt like a good start into my journaling again. I think about it every. single. day.
I am really going to try to journal more often. Write often. I have had an idea for quite a while involving writing that goes along with sharing what I'm thankful for. And also involves a whole lot more personal stories. I hesitate to share, but I also feel like it's something I just need to get out. When I say I think about it every single day, I truly do. For years. So maybe it's time to finally do something about it.
<3
Stacy
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