simplicity 2016: dressember

"So wait, you're wearing the same dress. For the entire month?"

This is the question that I have gotten the most when I tell people about my plan for Dressember.

For those that don't know, Dressember is an anti-trafficking awareness campaign that takes place every December. Women around the globe commit to wearing a dress every day for the entire month. 

They take photos in their dresses and share on social media. They also raise money that goes to two grant partners that work to rescue individuals directly out of trafficking situations. 

It's pretty cool.

But the thing is, just wearing a dress doesn't rescue people.

Wearing a dress starts a conversation.

And by having conversations, we educate. And hopefully change some narratives and stories that are out there regarding women.

That is, where I believe, the power really lies. When we change the narrative in our head, and when we are more open to the action steps that need to happen, change occurs.

So why the same dress.

When I decided to practice a year of simplicity, I knew I wanted it to permeate every area of my life that it could. Even Dressember.

So, in keeping with my theme, I will be wearing the same dress for the entire month.

I didn't think I would care one way or the other if I wore the same thing. I mean, I wear the same jeans all week sometimes.

But in total transparency, I got up this morning and felt a twinge of sadness as I looked at all the clothes that were just going to sit there for a month.

Which sounds so silly. To be sad that clothes will be left unworn. But, silly or not, I felt it.

And that's one reason why I think this process will be good for me.I think it will be good to not focus so much on what I wear. But instead, to focus on the issue of human trafficking.

To focus on raising as much money as we can to fund rescue missions. To become more educated about how I can get involved with local organizations that are fighting this evil. To get outside of myself and realize my privilege. To ask questions and be curious about things that are happening outside my sphere. And work to change the things that take away the freedom and dignity of others.

And if wearing the same dress every day for a month gives me the space to do that, then I think it is a good thing.

The Dressember campaign has a quote, "The heart of Dressember is FREEDOM -- that every woman has the right to live a vibrant and autonomous life."

This is probably the single most inspiring thing about this campaign -- at least for me. The truth that every woman (man and child) has the right to freedom, dignity and respect.

And that's a message I want to share with the world. Because I think that mentality can change the world.

#simplicity2016

***if you are interested in participating, or in joining my team - click here for more info

simplicity 2016: instant coffee is gross

Last post I blabbed on and on about how great it is to shop with cash and how much popcorn I eat.

This week I am going to blab about how I am a big fat liar and the cash keeps disappearing from my wallet.

Oh, and I am also going to blab about the fact that I will never give up popcorn.

Do you hear me?

Never.

Real talk though? I was seriously considering giving up on this paying in cash thing this week.

Because by Wednesday I had spent all but $5 of my weekly budget.

Yes, you read that correctly.

By Wednesday.

Sheesh. What is wrong with me....

Anywho....

With my aforementioned $5, I took myself to Target Wednesday evening because I needed some ish.

Some lady stuffs, some coffee cream, some coffee. Stuff that is super boring but I am telling you about it anyway.

So, you're welcome.

I honestly do not know why I walked so confidently into the store. Like, $5 wasn't going to get all that stuff.

Okay, I actually forgot I needed coffee when I first walked in, and that's probably why my walk was so confident. Because when I realized that I needed coffee after grabbing my other stuff, I panicked.

Because... coffee.... #neednotwant

Yeah, I almost broke down and bought some of those delicious beans with my debit card right then and there. They were calling my name. Loudly and quite provocatively to be honest. Skanky beans...

But NO! I made a commitment dang it! And I was going to keep it.....

Even though I really love coffee (insert lots of tears)

All of a sudden, I had this idea. What about sample packs of coffee? Surely Target had to have something like that.

And they did. Just not for a dollar. Which is all I had left. #dangit

Then I saw it. Smiling down on me with it's obviously cheap packaging and super affordable price tag.

Instant coffee.

Specifically, Cuban instant coffee.

Because it was $.25 cheaper than Folgers instant coffee.

I'll shoot straight with you guys... I should've paid the extra $.25

This stuff tasted like that instant cappuccino powder that your mom used to keep in the cupboard for "special occasions."

For four days I drank the kind of coffee you drink on a missions trip. Acrid, thick, really dark, and kind of questionable smelling.

I can also say that I have never in my life used so much creamer in my coffee. I am hands down going to have cavities from this experience.

Yesterday I bought coffee beans and this morning I almost wept with joy as I poured liquid gold into my tumbler.

It was a truly spiritual moment. Angels were singing. Harps played backup. It was a good cup of joe.

In all seriousness, it really hit me hard when I only had a $1.00 leftover to buy coffee.

It hit me because people in America, and in other countries, live like that all the time.

They don't have the luxury of choosing dark roast or blonde roast. They don't have the choice of french vanilla or hazelnut. Grande or Vente.

Their choices are based on what they can afford, down to the very last penny.

The rest of the week felt pretty humbling. Because even though I have money in the bank and could totally buy coffee and be fine, I was pushing myself outside the comfort zone I have created.

I thought about that every time I opened a packet of that instant coffee.

It was a really interesting place to hang out.

I realized I am so much more blessed than I thought. I have so much more accessible to me than I acknowledge. And, I really have such a greater capacity to give back than what I have been telling myself I did.

So, if I have a clearer picture of what is entrusted to me financially because of a box of instant coffee, then it was $.94 well spent.

It was so gross. But it taught me well. And for that I am thankful.

#simplicity2016

simplicity 2016: #nospendnovember

When I was 8 years old, my mom took me to the bank, and we opened my very first savings account.

I would say that this is my earliest memory surrounding the concept of money.

The second was when I started getting an allowance and my parents used that to teach monetary responsibility.

Then I saved my money to buy my American Girl doll.

I later started babysitting and buying my own clothes.

High school came and I created a budget and was able to save up and buy a car.

And basically since then, I've been fairly good with my money. At least I thought so.

****

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I'm practicing No Spend November. Or at least a Limited Spend November.

Because I wanted to see where my money was really going.

I wanted to challenge this belief that my finances didn't really need any work. That I am so good and solid I don't need to work on it.

Oh hey pride...

Anyway....when I started thinking about lessening my spending, I started to think about how I used to spend money when I was younger.

When I opened that bank account. When I saved for a my doll. When I paid for my clothes and saved for a car.

I payed mostly in cash.

Which is fascinating when you think about it in contrast to how we typically spend today.

Credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc....

There is this interesting thing that happens when you pay with cash. When a physical transaction occurs.

You pay attention to what is being handed over. You pay attention to what you get back.
You feel the deficit, the lightness in your wallet and you are more aware of what is left over.

With these thoughts in mind, I trudged forward into Week One of No Spend November #cashonly

****

Wow...

I eat out a lot and buy ALOT of popcorn.....

Now I didn't do that this week. I just realized how much I was doing it when I was spending with my debit card.

And because I am not bouncing checks or overdrawing my account each month, I wasn't really paying attention.

I mean sure, I would notice my spending was up on Mint.com, but since I was consistently saving and putting money aside for the future, I figured it didn't really matter.

How very foolish that thought process was more me....

You see, this week gave me some "aha" moments:

• I have believed a lie about what the amount of money I make means for me and my lifestyle
• Meal prepping is a thing and it's super good for me and my stress levels.
• I'm checking my bank account balance less
• The act of being able to purchase food is really powerful
• 
  

****

That last one stuck with me. And because it did, I want to share a story from this week.

I stopped by the store on saturday to pick up a couple things.

Yes, one was popcorn. But don't stress. I used cash.

Anyway, the couple in front of me were trying to pay for their groceries, but were having trouble with their card.

Which, is a super hard spot to be in. Especially when a line of people are forming behind you.

So I asked if I could pay for their groceries. They said yes. They got their OJ. It was cool.

And after I did, the cashier said, "Well, looks like you did your good deed for the week."

Um....gross...

Doing good and being kind shouldn't be a weekly task we check off. It shouldn't be something we do to feel better about ourself.

I truly believe that Jesus calls each of us to a constant spirit of generosity. An immediate willingness to give back to those who may or may not be having a tough time.

I didn't pay for their groceries because I wanted a high five. And I didn't share the story for praise.

I shared it for two reasons:

1. I can totally relate to not being able to pay for something due to lack of funds.
2. I think we all can be more generous and aware of others needs than we are.

And really, that's what I want this month to be about. I want it to be about discovering how much farther my dollars can go towards doing good. I want my life to be more about other people and less about me.

I don't think I am going to stop doing fun things, traveling or occasionally eating out. But, I definitely don't want those things to financially define me.

I just want to do some good.

#simplicity2016

simplicity 2016: a hundred bucks a week

Oh simplicity, bless your little heart. It is almost November and you have taught me so much.

I feel like I still have a lot to learn, but man, it's been so great. Exploring what it looks like to do more with less, to not complicate things, and to just enjoy what I have.

About a month and a half ago, when summer started to wind down and fall was beginning to be upon us, I started thinking about how I wanted to end the year.

Last year I ended with Dressember, and while I will be doing that again this year, I wanted to take it one step further.

I mentioned often in my blog posts that this year, I'm trying to focus on three specific areas of simplicity: stuff, money, technology.

And while I have a tendency to be hard on myself, and think that I am totally failing at life and this simplicity thing, I have to admit that it has gone pretty well.

I mean, I got rid of SO much stuff, I am saving more money than I was back in January and at times, I am on my phone less. Except when one of my interns turns me onto a new iPhone game.

Then it's bad.

Thanks a lot SarahJ...

But, this idea of spending less continues to intrigue me.

I look at my grandparents, I look at my friends in other countries, I read WAY to many articles on BuzzFeed... and I notice how happy and content people can be when they use what they have and spend less money.

I notice it the most in my own life when I am on vacation, or when I am traveling. I notice I am much more mindful of what things costs. I pay attention to what I do or don't buy. And I tend to use more cash than I do card.

It never fails, I am always surprised by how much money I have left over and how reduced my spending habits become.

So... how to translate all of that to the last month or two of 2016?

Cue "No Spend November." 

(If you don't know what it is, then just get on Pinterest, and you will wish you had never asked)

Originally, I was going to cut out all extra expenses for 30 days.

And while that might be a good idea in the future, we are coming up on the holiday season and I still would really like to go out with friends and immerse myself in some of the local festivities.

So, instead of a total spending freeze, I broke down my monthly expenses to see what the average weekly spending should be.

And then I lowered it 20%. Not an exact science by any means, but 10% felt to minor to feel the difference and 50% seemed unrealistic. So I found something in the middle.

For the next month, I am giving myself $120/week in cash to spend on groceries, gas, spending money, etc.

Once it's gone, it's gone. So I have to be strategic. Innovative. Scrappy.

The only exceptions for using a card are:

• if it's a purchase already in my budget (i.e. cell phone bill)
• if it's an emergency (i.e. stranded on the road, medical, etc)
• if for some reason I cannot pay with cash. (And if that is the case, I take the cash amount and reimburse my account)

My goal for the month is two fold.

I want to be a little more disciplined in my spending and see how I do with less.

And, I want to identify the areas in which I can be more generous with my finances.

I am realizing more and more that so many people have  far less than I do.

So, if I can be more frugal and give back, I think that's a good thing.

Especially since Jesus said a little something about that in Luke 11:5

Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted on my #nospendnovember

#simplicity2016

simplicity 2016: what is dressember?

Two years ago I attended an event at Seattle Pacific University that was raising awareness about human trafficking. It was a documentary showing and it was super intense. At least for me.

I'll be honest, it left me feeling very uncomfortable and at a loss for what my next step was supposed to be.

I now realize that was such a good place to be in. 

Because it launched me towards knowledge, understanding, and a desire to see change in the world.

Currently there are over 27 million people in slavery worldwide. That's just not okay, and I want to bring awareness and shed light so that we can change that statistic.

****

Last year, in order to find a way to get involved, I participated in a campaign called Dressember. 

In a nutshell, women use something inherently feminine (a dress) and use it to start conversations about the issue that is human trafficking; as well as try to raise funds that go towards rescuing people out of this terrible way of life.

For the entire month of December, I wore a dress everyday, took a picture, and posted on social media to spread the message. 

It was a truly powerful experience and I am doing it again this year. The only difference is that due to my theme of #simplicity, I will be wearing the same dress everyday for the entire month!

I think it is overall going to be such a good experience for me to simplify my everyday in order to give more thought to this serious issue. And how we can be apart of the change.

****

I would absolutely LOVE, is if you guys would consider joining me for the Dressember campaign.

However, I realize that not everyone is able to participate in the same way that I did. 

But, if you are interested in learning more about this and how you can make a difference, here are some ways to get involved:)

1) Consider giving up ONE specialty coffee and donating that money to my Dressember campaign

*One rescue mission costs approximately $100,000 start to finish, so every little bit helps!

2) Join our team and get in on the epicness that is Dressember:)

*If you can't wear a dress everyday, that's okay! You can still participate! And guys can get involved too! Wear a bow tie! That counts!

3) Share on social media this link to help bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking

*Awareness is a huge part of changing this narrative! How can we change what we do not know.

4) Be curious and willing to learn

*Books, documentaries, non-profit websites - the resources to learn are out there. Curiosity, even towards that which is uncomfortable, is a good thing.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and consider getting involved. 

Human beings are not commodities, and our world will be a much more beautiful place when we value the worth of someone for who they are, and not what they can be exploited for.

Feel feel to share and ask me more questions!!! Let's be world changers!

simplicity 2016: flat on my aster

Once upon a time, I took a class on Meyer's Briggs. For those who don't know anything about MB, check out this article, super helpful.

However, in a nutshell, it is a personality assessment designed to help you better understand why you do what you do, and how to do what you are best suited for.

One of the character traits is referred to as being a "J" - which stands for Judging.

Not an accurate word at all, because "J" basically means you are highly organized, appreciate things done in a sequential order and strive for order in your life.

And if any of you know me, you will know that my "J" is off the crazy charts.

If you give me a label maker and a day planner, I will conquer the whole frigging planet. In an hour.

Cause ain't nobody got time to waste time.

I often wonder though, why I am this way?

If it's wrong to be so organized and thorough.

If I need to cool it and just "go with the flow."

***

Two weeks ago I was in NY, celebrating my great grandmother's 99th birthday.

And while it was absolutely wonderful to be there, I left feeling unsettled.

And to be truthful, I also didn't really want to leave.

I didn't want to leave her.

I didn't want to leave how at home I felt there.

I didn't want to leave the deep sense of belonging that almost overtook me when I drive onto her property.

***

As I was walking through her garden taking pictures one afternoon, I stopped and held my breath as I watched bees pollinating the flowers.

I quickly snapped a few photos, and then I just stood there in complete envy.

Yes. You read that correctly.

I was envious. Of some bees.

And here is why....

They have ONE job.
They do their job.
They aren't running around trying to do everyone else's job.

They have a schedule.
They know when to work and when to rest.
There is only one leader they follow.

They don't have emails.
They don't have cellphones.
They don't have calendar invites, bills, or anything else weighing them down.

Their life seems...simple.

***

I've been home for two weeks now, and I still can't shake this unsettled feeling.

A little out of place. Not sure what direction I am headed in.

Which is crazy, because I have so much going on right now. And it's all really really good.

But, as I was sitting in the Meyer's Briggs training today, I FINALLY felt like I had a break through.

Two nights ago I was reading Martha Steward Living - don't you dare judge me, she is BRILLIANT!

And as I read through her calendar for October, where she tells you what to start planting and what she is harvesting for winter, that's when it hit me.

Why I feel so at home at my great grandmother's house. And why I have the same feeling on my uncle and gramma's farm.

I'll try to explain it like this:

• Farms and gardens run on a seasonal calendar. 

• You have to plant and harvest your crops at a certain time, or you won't have any bounty.

• I mean, weather is always a factor. But you can't control that. You have to prepare and then just wait.

• There is predictability and structure.

• A specific role and a specific desired outcome.

• A farmer plants crops, a bee pollinates the plants, the earth changes seasons and new life comes into the world.

It's this cyclical calendar of events, that while it has the potential for being mind numbingly boring, it's not.

Because it's always a little bit different.
A chance for new beginnings and a fresh start.
And I think that's what I am craving a little bit.

Schedule, predictability, a need for things to be done in a certain way in order to obtain a certain outcome.

While I often judge myself harshly for this desire for order and schedule, I think I'm beginning to realize it's something rooted so deeply within me, I don't think I could shut it down even if I wanted to.

There is something inexplicably beautiful about the natural order of the earth. And I really, really love it.

That realization? Leaves me feeling like I have had the wind knocked out of me and then knocked flat on my aster.

Get it? Aster? A flower? #dadjoke

***

Don't get me wrong, I love my job and I love my life.

It's just.... when I am with these amazing women, on the properties where they have and are building their lives, things make more sense.

Stuff isn't so urgent. We just are.  We get up early, enjoy the day quietly, share a nice meal, and then go to sleep.

If this was my routine, day in and day out, I might get a little bored. Maybe not though.

But, if I could find a way to incorporate this spirit of just being into my daily schedule, I have a feeling I might feel a little more settled.

Or maybe, I just need to go plant some asters.

#simplicity2016

simplicity 2016: jesus and simplicity

Simplicity is hard.

And that's incredible annoying to realize.

At least, it's hard for me.

Gosh, I started out with such fervor and zeal, and I pridefully thought I could just coast through a year of simplicity.

I don't think my pride was out of arrogance, but nonetheless, it was pride. And it was mine. And I own it.

I guess I thought that cutting back on my spending would be easy. Because I thought I didn't spend a lot to begin with.

Oh Mint.com, how quickly you make a liar out of me.

I thought I could get off my dang phone. Get off BuzzFeed and stop mindlessly scrolling Facebook.

My three year self with her security blanket is laughing at my 28 year old self and her cellphone.

Why? Cause the blanket and the phone are the same thing....

Stuff. In this area, I have been okay.

But lately? I have been feeling suffocated by anything that doesn't have a specific place and function in my daily life.

Not sure that's a reason to get rid of everything I own, but it definitely occupies a lot of head space.

Like, I know I need to keep my fire extinguisher, but it just keeps sitting there, collecting dust. And like a crazy mania, I keeping eyeing it and thinking about how much cleaner that corner will look without anything in it.

Really I am just a crazy nut who wants to throw everything away and will then have instant remorse and get on her phone and use the Amazon app to replace everything she just threw away.

See my problem?!? #thestruggleisreal

But about a week ago, I was talking with my friend and coworker, Kyle, about simplicity. He asked me to speak about it at Serve Seattle in December, so I was asking if he had anything specific he wanted to me to touch on.

He said something that I haven't been able to get out of my head. He said, "Well, you're probably going to have to explain the concept of simplicity, because most people won't know really what you mean. And, you know, talk about what Jesus says about simplicity. Stuff like that."

Um....

I have been doing "simplicity" for almost nine months, but I haven't stopped to think about what Jesus says about the subject...

So maybe, just maybe, that is why I have been having such a hard time with it lately.

I have been trying to do it in my own strength. And I am completely overwhelmed and slightly embarrassed by that fact.

I'm trying to be simple in my daily life, but there are all these little empty pockets that I keep filling with technology, spending and things.

Instead of letting Jesus come in and fill those areas of void in my life.

And there are areas of void. Because I am human and so very far from perfect.

No matter how many times I try and tell myself I have it all together.

After my chat with Kyle, I started to wonder what it would look like to spend the rest of this year focusing more on Jesus and less on the three areas I have been focusing on.

No, I won't be stopping simplicity. But, I am super curious what bringing it all back to the foot of His throne would do.

I am curious if my spending would shift if I spent my mornings in prayer instead of running out the door and buying latte on my way in to work.

I wonder if I would be on my phone less if I was journaling or reading the Word at night instead of falling asleep while scrolling Instagram.

I also tend to think that if I spend more time worshipping the One who has given me so much, I will see the value and abundance in what is around me. And I will be less inclined to fill my life with things.

A few nights ago, I had a little worship session with myself. Oh, and my Facebook friends, because I put in on Live.

And it was this truly powerful moment. Instead of overthinking every word like I am doing right now, I just talked. And sang. And tried to be as authentic as I could be.

I went to bed and didn't really think much about it.

But the next day I got the sweetest message from my friend Emily. Oh, did I mention she does INCREDIBLE graphics work? And that she made me something AMAZING after watching my video??

Well, she did, and it's awesome, and I love it.

But what I love most is this....

I have a fantastic community of people and friends who love Jesus and love me.

Sometimes, in the hustle of life, I forget that I have such immediate access to the most loving people in the world. I forget and instead, buy stuff. Or eat out. Or hang out on my phone.

I forget how blessed I am. But when Emily made this beautiful graphic for me, I was reminded once again why I quite simply, adore the body of Christ.

I see so much of Him in the people I have in my corner.

And when I focus on them, and on Him, I find myself less likely to fill my time and space with other things.

So, the tender voice of Jesus is calling me to Him. And I truly think I will find the answers I seek about simplicity there at His feet.

Until next time...

#simplicity2016