Five years, one year

The amount of stuff that can happen in five years is ridiculous. Life surprised me with waves of happiness and tragedy. Experiences that helped me grow into the person I am today. I am thankfull, but also a bit melancholic when I look back. When confronted with hard times, like my dad getting really sick again (thank God he is doing much better now) I slipped into survival mode, such a useful mechanism, but it didn't leave much room for playfull creativity. Now the survival mode is no longer usefull, which makes me wonder: where will I be five years from now? I believe the answer to that question is not as randomn as it may feel at times, but lies in my daily routine (as I have learned from J. Maxwell, T.Foy and my own experience). Two years ago I felt overwhelmed by my schedule, my stuff and my plans. Simplifying my life a little every day completely changed that. I find comfort and courage in that fact. I already know I will grow in certain areas because I made a habit of educating myself a little every day in the subjects that matter to me. I don't know what life will bring, I only know I will continue to make every day count.

Collections

I thought there weren't many collections left after my big declutter campaign, but I was wrong. These however make me smile and everything that makes me smile can stay :). 

But for the most I am collecting time in stead of stuff. The most valuable thing of all.

(Collections was this weeks theme for 'corner view')

Room

Making room for new things, litteraly and mentally. It feels good, but also a bit funny. Letting go of stuff, but also of a few wrong concepts I had about myself and exchanging them for new, better, broader ones.

(1. Trying new techniques, pencil over painting, I like the depth it adds 2.Lilly of the Vally 3. Enjoying the simple moments)

Small Things

There is a different sound going on for who is willing to listen. It's a quiet sound, an undercurrent. It is drifting away from over-yelling, over-spending, over-consuming, but although it speaks softer, it is more clear, it consumes less but enjoyes more. I have got my ears wide open. 

Something to celebrate!

My declutter-journey (getting rid of 50 items per week in 2013 and 20 per week in 2014 untill no longer needed-and that will be soon) is finally starting to show in my home and I could'nt feel happier! Today I cleared out my big table (for dining, painting, and storage) it feels so good to see clear space again. To me that is something worth celebrating.

Something else worth celebrating is a collaborative I am working on with my all-things-creative loving sister, which will be about celebrating holidays, milestones, and everything else worth celebrating in a simple but sweet d.i.y. way. 

There was a big threatening cloud blocking our view in the passed year (when one family member has to go through chemo therapy every one is affected as we soon dicovered) Learning to live life day by day and finding something to celebrate in every day was a real life saver for us.

Find something, anything, worth celebrating today. I promise it will make you feel a little (or a lot ;)) better!

(Thanks Ibb for the theme today)

Rejuvenation

Its one of the contradictions of our time, that despite of all the modern technique (which I am gratefull for) it somehow seems to fail to make our  lives simple. I still cant figure out why living more simple is such a complex task. Fortunately we do have the luxury of free time more than ever before. Spending my free time on a place like this is very rejuvenating and makers me one happy camper! 

Inspiration

It's a funny thing really, inspiration.. Although I gained insight in how I can stay inspired, it's still largely a mystery to me how inspiration comes and goes and maybe it is better that way. Slowing down is always a big one for me. But the biggest lesson for me has been accepting there is a time for everything. Times of overflowing ideas and times of organising and conserving. The challenge is to trust inspiration will return, it always does.