simplicity 2016: sitting still is hard

I have always struggled with sitting still.

On a plane. The bus. At home. At church....

When I was six years old, I particularly fidgety during a midweek church service. And my mother had had enough of my squirmy ways.

Turning towards me, she said in the most terrifying voice you have ever heard, "If you move one more time, you are going to get it when we get home."

For the next hour, I barely breathed. IT was not something I wanted to experience if I could help it. So I forced myself to sit like a statue.

Also, my nose has never been so itchy. But alas, I could not scratch. Because if there is one thing I know about my mother, it is that she means what she says. Scratch or no scratch.

It was in that moment that I realized sitting still was not something I can accomplish unless I am SCARED TO DEATH.

So yesterday -  I got up, went to church, came home, made lunch, made soup for the week, put ALL my laundry away, got ready for work on Monday and read a book - all before 4:30pm.

It's amazing how much you can get done when you aren't Facebooking everything and/or binge watching Netflix.

And while I loved getting so much done and feeling so accomplished, I also felt bored.

Which is weird, because I have so many things I can do to entertain myself.

I have two pianos for crying out loud. This should not be so difficult.

But there I was, cuddled in my favorite chair with a book I have been dying to read, but I was still so antsy.

However, instead of turning on my TV or picking up my phone, I forced myself to feel the discomfort.

I made myself sit there. It was excruciating. I could almost feel my leg hair growing...

It was good though. The sitting there. Not the hair. That's bad.

I realized in those uncomfortable moments that I am and always have been afraid of missing out on something. What? I have no idea. I just am afraid I will miss it.

And for years, my solution has been to keep myself moving and to keep myself going so I won't miss any of the potential action.

But yesterday, I had an epiphany.

I have forgotten what it is like to sit in the quiet and just be.

I live in a world where I can fall asleep with my cellphone in my hand, constantly being entertained from the moment I go to sleep until the moment I wake up.

As long as my phone is charged, my house has power and my car stereo works, I never have to be bored.

But, that's the problem. I have forgotten how to be bored.

I have forgotten how to just sit and let my imagination run wild. I have become too structured in my distractions.

Simplicity? You are uncomfortable.

But because you are uncomfortable, I have food prepared for the week, I have started reading a delightful book, and I got over eight hours of sleep last night.

Not a bad start to the year. Hopefully the momentum holds, lol.

#simplicity2016

simplicity 2016: technology overload

Ah, the dreaded "get off your cellphone" post.

However, before you get pissed and leave this link to go check Instagram (it's there too btw), let me preface with the promise that I will not be a hypocrite.

I have texted while driving.

I have stared at my phone while crossing the street, only to almost get my butt run over.

I have stayed up until 12:30am reading BuzzFeed articles.

Who am I kidding, I was taking quizzes about what kind of pasta I should eat tomorrow.

Because apparently I cannot make that decision for myself. Even though I am a grown arse woman who pays rent and has a job.

I have been glued to my phone when someone was talking to me, and I didn't hear a single word they said. How rude of me...

I have used my phone as a distraction when I am bored, and a solution when I don't want anyone to talk to me.

So, I cannot get on a soapbox and tell other people what to do.

Instead, I'll just share how I am going to address my technology addiction.

Two nights ago, I left my phone in the living room before going to bed. And instead, like my parents did, used an old school alarm clock to get up the next morning.

It really shouldn't have created any anxiety, but it did. Not proud of that at all, but there I was, laying there wanting to check Facebook.

Even though the chances of my having any notifications were slim to none.

Last night was better. I was in bed earlier than normal and slept better than I have in months. That should tell me something right there.

My rational for years has been, "What if someone needs me?" And, if I am honest, the number of times someone has called at 2am are extremely low. So there goes that excuse.

I have also started putting my phone in my backpack instead of mounted on my dash when I am driving.

Why? Well, because I can tell myself that I am not going to text and drive; but I still get 'bored' at red lights and want to check social media.

Even though no one has messaged me, poked me or liked any of my crap.

Finally, I am putting my phone away while I am sitting in church. This shouldn't be something that's even an issue. But it is.

So, I put it in my bag, on the floor, out of sight. But it wasn't out of mind. Which is so terrible.

It's terrible that I cannot even sit through an hour and a half service without checking my 3"x5" piece of glass and radiation.

It's only been three days of  COAT (cellphone overload adjustment therapy). That is not a thing by the way. Maybe it should be, but that's just what I am calling this part of my simplicity challenge.

So what's my take away for that past few days?

I am sleeping better, my neck doesn't hurt from looking at the ground and I got so much out of the message this morning.

I also had time to cook all my meals from scratch, do laundry, clean my house, hang with friends AND read books. All while being in bed before or by 10:30pm.

What is happening in my life?

Simplicity.

That's what is happening, and I am kind of in love with it.

Even though it is uncomfortable and will take some getting used to.

Overall? It's pretty great.

#simplicity2016

simplicity 2016: counting the big bucks

Yesterday I cancelled a movie membership - for documentaries - because I'm a nerd.

Then I cancelled my Scribd account - think Netflix for books - because I'm a HUGE nerd.

Continuing with this theme, I cancelled my Sirius XM membership - because spotify, and I don't use it.

I've also decided to continue not buying weekly lattes - because, I find I like coffee at home more than a latte.

And finally, I lowered my data on my phone plan - because, I need to get off my dang phone.

I am also fairly motivated by saving money. Which is funny considering how many random things I pay for on a monthly basis. Didn't realize how much until yesterday...

Since my personal goal for this year is to simplify, I am looking around myself to see what I have that I don't use, what I pay for that I don't really want and what do I use in excess just because I am bored.

Hence the cancellation of more monthly subscriptions than I realized I was paying for.... #facepalm

I don't need to justify cancelling any of these expenses, but just for the sake of this post, I will explain for thought process.

Movie/Documentary membership: I have Amazon Prime, I use my best friend's Netflix, and pay for Hulu since I don't have cable.

Scribd: I may or may not personally own almost 200 books. I also have a library card for three different library systems....so, that's just ridiculous.

Sirius XM: As I mentioned, I have spotify. I also have a record player and many many CDs...don't judge me, I like CD's. I also miss cassette tapes, so there's that.

Coffee: Lattes are not a need, and caffeine in a ceramic mug totally tastes better. Especially when your ceramic mug is Wonder Woman. Or the poop mug. That one's great too.

Phone: I just really need to get off my dang phone. I am on it too much, wasting time and frying my brain cells... I am too dependent on a piece of technological equipment to keep me from being bored and to keep me safe.

And because I am SUCH a HUGE nerd, I tallied up how much I will save over the next year, just by cutting out these extras.

drumroll....... $1545.....

yes, you read that correctly, I will save almost two grand if I just stopping wasting my money...

Now, as a self proclaimed budgeting wiz, I am a teensy bit embarrassed by my mindless spending.

I mean, what happened to me? I have had a budget since I was 16. On a hand drawn spreadsheet. Because I find consumer math fascinating.

So then how did this happen... how did my spending get a little out of control. Because while I could easily tally these extra expenses, I also know that I can look at my bank account and see where the rest of the money goes.

I think, at least for me, my personal life has just become cluttered with so many unnecessary things, I have adapted and put myself on auto pilot.

Spending just because I think I need something. Not taking the time to see if I can get the same experience for free. Not checking to see if I already have batteries before buying more.

Last week, I spent Christmas with my Gramma (one of my favorite humans); and I had a revelation while I was there.

When I am at her house, everything slows down, and everything makes more sense. I'm not sure why, but it does.

And when I thought about that on my drive back to Seattle, I was deeply challenged to address this in my own life.

You see, I complicate things for myself.

Tangibly speaking, I buy stuff to make things easier in the moment, only to not need it or want it later. To me that's complicated.

I also waste. Not intentionally but I over plan and waste.

I also don't fully and completely appreciated the things I have. Because I am too busy buying crap.

And it's all because I am too much in my head and forget that I don't have to be perfect. And the expectations I have for myself? No one else has those for me. So I can calm the heck down.

2016? I am really glad you are here, and I am glad I get to simplify. Because, it's only day two and I already feel lighter.

#simplicity2016

simplicity 2016: the great purge

Last month I participated in an amazing campaign called Dressember. It exists to bring awareness to the darkness of human trafficking and allows people to raise money to support some really incredible organizations.

Essentially, you wear a dress every day for the entire month and use your personal fashion to start conversations and shed light on a serious issue. It's pretty rad.

When I started the month, I had many friends ask me, "Elizabeth, do you have enough dresses for the entire month??"

Oh you guys are adorable. Thank you so much for pretending like you don't already know I am a clothes hoarder.

You didn't know that? How is that possible? I mean, have you seen my closet?

You haven't? That's right..... I wear the same jeans and sweatshirts almost every week....

So when friends would ask if I had enough dresses, I chuckled maniacally and answered, "Yes. I have 30. 30 dresses. Not counting skirts. Do I have a problem? Maybe. But, it's not like I'm going to go to a meeting about it or anything...."

And so I began this journey, thinking I would have no problem figuring out what to wear and I would just float through the month.

Then I realized how out of control my clothing stash really was. I own 30 dresses and I didn't wear half of them.....

Which leads me right into my personal theme for this year. Simplicity.

Simplicity can take on many forms, and I am truly looking forward to seeing what this journey is going to hold for me.

Am I going to become an extreme minimalist who sleeps on the floor and eats rice all day?

Am I going to go entirely paperless because...trees?

Am I going to find that the responsibilities I tell myself I need to carry really don't need to be carried at all, but rather, released from my type A, vice like grip?

Who knows what I will have to say a year from now, but for today, or rather the month of January, I am focusing on a few things. A few being three. Why only three? #simplicity

I got up this morning, picked out my outfit, and went through all my dresses.

Then I went and got a box, and put 17 dresses inside that box.

17 dresses that I didn't wear one single time over the last 31 days.

17 dresses I don't want to get rid of because they are pretty, even though I don't remember when I last put them on.

So I had a little chat with myself. About how I don't need them. I won't wear them. Someone else can benefit from them...etc


And that is why, these 17 dresses will find a home at Hope Place, a woman and children's shelter run by Seattle's Union Gospel Mission. My life is filled with excess, and if my excess can fill someone's void, then that's what I want this year.

I have many more areas in my house and in my life to purge; but for now, my closet is cleaner, my heart feels lighter, and I revel in the fact that simplicity might just rock my world for the better.

#simplicity2016

simplicity 2016

I spent four months deciding what my theme for 2016 would be.

Four months talking about it. Dreaming about it. Telling EVERYONE about it.

And then today, it all shifted and changed like a toddler with an open bag of marbles.

I think it's crazy how sitting in a car for hours at time helps everything fall into perspective.

Maybe it's the constant change in scenery. 

Maybe it's the fact you are moving towards something. 

Or maybe, it's knowing that you could die at any moment  if some moron isn't watching what they're doing.

Regardless of why this act is so profitable for figuring out life's problems, my initial vision for this year was rocked by an unplanned road trip to Southern California.

I planned on spending Christmas with my gramma. Which I did.

I did not plan to drive to LA from Portland two days after Christmas. But I did.

And it was amazing.

It was spontaneous. It was filled with possibilities for chaos. I changed my mind 100x. But, it was also a needed escape. A time of exhaustion and refreshment all at the same time. 

So, while I spent over 30 hours on the road over the last five days, a great many things came into perspective for me.

1. I spend way to much time preparing for things that never happen.

2. Spontaneity is the thing that dreams are made of, and I need more of it.

3. Grand adventures do not require lots of money or even lots of planning.

4. Technology is overwhelming and wonderful all at the same time. 

(Example: it seems so unnecessary when I'm sitting on a sunny beach, but it's a great tool when I'm driving aimlessly through Long Beach)

5. My life is filled with things I don't need, nor do I really want.

As I was driving north on the freeway this morning, it hit me that my original "theme" is more of a project. 

A theme for me is something that permeates every single area of my life - for an entire year.

So while I sat in silence in the car this morning, I realized that this year's theme is simplicity.

I was overwhelmed with how peaceful I felt when I said the word out loud.

As I planned out my theme last year, I wasn't really sure where it would go. And this year is no different.

This year I want to discover and realize the things that truly bring happiness and life. 

I want to let go of the things that are not serving me well, but rather, are dragging me down.

So when an idea follows you around for five days like a dog with a bone, you  grab it and go. 

#simplicity2016 

Do Life 2015: In A Dress

From about the age of 5, until I was in my early twenties, I wore dresses everyday.

Now? Well, I wear the same pair of jeans and grey hoodie everyday. Because I'm an adult and I can.

Both choices are equally amazing.

From the age of 8, until probably 23, taking risks was not something I did.

Oh I wanted to, but having order and structure was far more predictable and safe.

But now, I'm sitting in my friend's recliner in Southern California, on a trip I decided to take two days ago. On a whim.

When I was 7, I would take all of my socks out of my drawers, retold them and place them back inside in perfect order.

There are probably dishes in my sink at home that will need to be washed when I get back. But I really don't remember.

This year my personal theme has been "DoLife" and I almost don't want it to end.

Which is exactly what I said last year around this time.

The truth of the matter is that if my theme was truly successful, the aftermath won't end on January 1, 2016.

If I truly learned what I hoped to, this theme will have become a habit, and I won't need to document my life on Instagram and memorialize it with a hashtag in order to keep myself on track.

I totally can, but I won't need to.

So as I sit here in the most amazing recliner in the entire world, I think back over my year, remembering the super epic, and also odd things I did this year.

1. I went to Haiti on a missions relief trip with my wonderful friends Jessica and Jaime. 

(Some of my favorite humans, btw)

2. Got set up with online dating and gave that a half hearted effort. Meaning, I made a profile, chatted with one person, only to realize it's not my thing. 

(It's too much work, and I really don't want to filter messages from 20 year olds and men on the brink of retirement.)

3. I graduated my nutrition program and am now a CERTIFIED nutritional health coach!

(#kaleyeah)

4. I started writing my book - finally. 

(Had hope to have that done this year, but am also happy to be taking my time with a project that means so much to me.)

5. I made the conscious choice to not be such a hermit and as a result, have made some amazing new friends as well as connecting with old ones.

(Having people is basically the best thing ever.)

6. I joined an epic campaign that is working to end sexual slavery and exploitation by bringing awareness through the platform of clothing and fashion. Which is rad. 

(#dressember)

These are only a couple of the super cool things I experienced this year. And while I thought of creating a photo montage for you all to see, I'm too busy living this crazy life. 

(Get it? Living life = doing life #dadjoke)

Actually, I'm just super sleepy (it's not even 7 yet) and want to drink my coffee.

But, I do have a years worth of blog posts you can check out if you are interested. 

I have some cool pics on my Instagram - see #dolife2015 - so you know...

I also have endless stories I would love to tell you in person. Over coffee. Or on the side of a mountain. Because, #dolife

My theme for next year is one I'm crazy excited about and have been on pins and needles since August when I landed on it.

So,  stayed checked in if you are interested in all the shenanigans that will happen in 2016.

Otherwise, my sagely words of wisdom for you this morning, as we approach year end are:

Don't take yourself to seriously. No one else does.

Don't sweat the small stuff. And sometimes the big stuff.

Laugh a lot, because it's fun and burns calories. 

And last... 

Eat cake. Why? Because I like cake and it's the shiznit.

Happy New Year Everyone! 

#dolife2015 

Do Life 2015: Dressember

As 2015 is quickly drawing to a close, I have been praying how I could intentionally #dolife for these last 31 days.

Human trafficking is not an issue I gave much thought to until a few years ago.

I'm not proud of this, but I honestly didn't want to know. I didn't want to see the hurt, the pain or the despair. I wanted to stay in my bubble of safety and not go out.
Three years ago, I watched a film called "Rape for Profit", and my ignorance could no longer be excused or justified.

I now knew about an issue that goes far deeper than any of us realize. An issue that needs to be addressed and have much light brought into its darkness.

For that is how we affect change.

So what are the next steps? What should we do, and how should we go about it?

International Justice Mission and A21 Campaign every December to raise funds to combat and bring awareness to human trafficking.

The concept is this: women from around the world, commit to wearing a dress every day for the entire month of December. People post photos on social media to gain traction, and also ask for people to donate to the above mentioned organizations.

Why a dress?

To directly quote from Dressember's main page, "using fashion to advocate for women who've been exploited for their femininity. As women take on the creative challenge of wearing a dress for the 31 days of December, they are advocating for the inherent dignity of all women."

This is the first year I am participating in Dressember Campaign, and I'm so excited to see awareness raised and also to see what the Lord does in me.

My goal is to raise $1,000 over the next four weeks. My personal contributions will be made by relocating funds I currently spend.

Specifically, money I spend on coffee. The embarrassing amount of money I spend on coffee....

On average, a custom coffee is around $5. Just by relocating this money from my personal budget, I will be able to put approximately $150 towards fighting human trafficking by the end of December.

Imagine what we can do if everyone just gave up ONE or TWO coffees this month?? If you feel led to participate in my campaign, here is the direct link.

If you are not financially able to or led to give, prayers are always welcomed!

Also, if nothing else, I'd deeply encourage everyone to do some reading and put some research into this issue.

(These are the books I plan on reading this month)

There is a phrase people like to throw around, and it states "freedom isn't free." 

Which is true. But, more often than not, I think of lives being lost for freedom's sake, and not my bank account being a little lower than normal.

Sacrifice comes in many ways, and while I don't really see cutting back on coffee as a sacrifice, I do think it's worthwhile to put my money where my mouth is.

Let's live life together fully for the last 31 days of 2015! You never know what can happen!

#dolife2015 #dressember