Just Life

More and Less | February 2017.

from Sunday’s morning walk

Continuing with the more/less framework I began last month, here’s a look at right now in my world.

more gratitude. enjoying Michelle GD’s monthly notes, blog and Instagram feed. her #tinytinymoments posts remind me that gratitude doesn’t have to be hard.

more mindfulness. I’m 27 days into a new practice that I’m almost ready to share with y’all.

more exploring. following links one morning last week, I landed on a free 21-day pilates trial. part exploring, part curiosity and perhaps part yoga … I’m looking forward to it!

more connecting. I did a pretty decent job of daily letters this month and have been especially delighted with the letters that have arrived in my own mailbox. Kat has me curious about exploring better tools for letter writing!

more curiosity. pilates and pens … and I can’t wait to see what Ali has in store for us in March.

more yoga. I haven’t managed “daily” this month, but I am ready to say it’s back to being a habit. I’ve noticed a real difference in the quality of my sleep when I do a 20-minute “evening” routine just before bed.

more prayer. this is going to be a focus of mine during Lent. Forty days (plus Sundays) seems like the perfect timeframe to explore a new approach.

more letting (it) go. on the “stuff” side, I’m almost ready to commit to a wardrobe pare down (have any of y’all tried something like this? I am not considering 33 things, but even 50 would be a big stretch for me … and I’m pretty sure “just-finished” knitwear and shoes would not be counted … like I said, I’ll be taking baby steps!) at the very least, I need to spend some tough time with my dresser and closet. maybe I’ll finally make time to read Marie Kondo’s book.

less busy. I haven’t given this much thought lately, but this week, all my regular activities resume; need to see how it goes…

less worry. I’ve whittled down my news to just a two morning newsletters; that’s helping. I also added the Washington Post’s Optimist for a weekly dose of good news.

And with that, I’m ready to turn the page on a new month. Longer days and more of them seems like just what I need right now. How about you?

11 thoughts on “More and Less | February 2017.”

  1. Good post and thanks for the Pilates link – I'm signing up. I did read Marie Kondo's book…it was ok…it did not really encourage me though. But, over the past several years I have drastically gotten rid of "stuff" (clothes and other stuff). It is liberating. I've still got a way to go though…. By the way, saw a new (to me) 19 Crimes over the weekend – Warden. I didn't buy ($17 which just annoys me – gotta love PA laws), but was wondering if you have seen this one and tried it?

  3. With you 150% – less news – that endless cycle, over-n -over tho' I don't agree with the criticizer-in-chief's assessment…also, Marie Kondo's book is a tad repetitious but there may be some tips that resonate. Borrow from the PL – if you can get your hands on it! Your less/more lists offers a lot of good thoughts to ponder, if not adopt. Carry on and thanks for sharing.Cheers~

  4. Yes to less news! I did have to sign up for the WP Optimist, just so they can prove to me that good news still exists. Be careful with those better writing tools! I bought one fountain pen, but my wish list at JetPens is longer (and more $$$) than my wish list at The Loopy Ewe! I am continually paring down my wardrobe, mainly because I live in an old house with hardly any closet space. Just over the weekend I got rid of two bags of clothing that I hadn't worn in over a year, but I also don't knit sweaters like you do. 🙂

  5. I cut my closet DRASTICALLY last year — and it's been wonderful! I don't think I could do Project 333 — but I do try to limit myself to 50 items or less per season. I'm amazed at how easy it is, once you get started. (But . . . it's a good thing I don't knit sweater like you do.) 🙂

  6. Beautiful post! I would not say I am consuming less news, but my news is less hyperbole and more content via – WaPo, NYTimes, NPR, and PBS Newshour – mainly on Monday and Friday's. I just removed more clothes that no longer fit and my summer wardrobe is non-existent. Perhaps just a few things is the smart way to go! And, the fountain pen rabbit hole… I am sorry (or probably not, lol) for directing you there! I am looking forward to Michelle's Just 5 things… the best focus ever! XOXO

  7. This is a wonderful series you have going here Mary! I love it … more gratitude, mindfulness, exploring … etc. Very inspirational – thank you!

  8. I am also a 50 items (sans knitwear and outerwear) person and it all coordinates. It's simplified my life a great deal. I fell off the MoL train right away. I'm sorry I did, but I plan to write more frequently throughout the year.

  9. Hi. I stop by often but haven't commented before. Thanks for the Optimist link. Signed up and am ready to receive some good news for a change! I have had trouble paring down the closet too. It took living out of one suitcase for seven weeks to see that I didn't need all that I had when I came home to the closet. It's still a work in progress, but I just think back to my trip and find the energy to pack another bag of giveaways. You can do it! Yes…handknits don't count!April

    1. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! My closet purge happens this week weekend … I'm optimistic – especially with my handknit "exception". Yikes – seven weeks out of one suitcase?! I have trouble with one week, so this is going to be good practice for me. Happy Friday!

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