Simplifying the STUFF of Motherhood
How often have you put the needs of EVERYONE ELSE ahead of yourself? How often have you cancelled your plans to go to yoga or the gym because you felt you were needed at home or at work? Last night I went to a yoga deep stretch and relaxation class at 8:15 pm. When I left at 7:45 pm the kids were still awake and both of them were crying. Maddie wanted cuddles on the rocking chair in her room and Layla wanted me to chat with her in her bed, these are parts of our nighttime routine. I explained to them that I had to go out for a little bit but that I would be back soon and that I’d be there when they woke up. My husband was home and he would be putting them to bed. He works shift work, so bedtime is often something I do. Leaving crying kids is not fun but I also need to take care of myseI have been attempting to journey towards simplicity for a few years now and it started with Marie Kondo-ing all the things. It feels soooo good to declutter! Doesn't it? Garbage bags upon garbage bags were donated, recycled and thrown away just in time for us to move into our new home three summers ago. The problem with decluttering though, is that it didn't change any of my habits. When we accumulated more stuff, and the stuff didn't have its own home within our home, the things were strewn around the house and the clutter built up fast. Fast forward another year and hubby and I had welcomed baby #2 and...dude...we had so much stuff again! The cycle of doing a major decluttering and having the stuff slowly build up again continued a few more times over the past couple of years.
One of the four pillars of Mama Bliss Coaching is simplicity and this aligns so well with what I value in this season of my life. Isaac Newton said that, "Nature is pleased with simplicity," and girlfriend, I am vibing with these words.
We currently keep a bag in the garage that we fill up with items we know longer use or need. I love the Mama Bliss idea that it's best to get rid of anything that is not beautiful or useful. So to all of our giant electronic, blinking, flashing toys I must say, "Bye Felicia!" Is bye Felicia still a thing anymore? I'm not sure, but it feels so right to say right now.
It also feels so right to have less clutter and therefore less distractions in our home. Our workspace downstairs, where the computer is, now only has a salt lamp, the computer and the papers we currently need around it. I have started calling this area my Self-Care Space and it’s the best. I love being in there.
The girls' rooms have a minimal amount of toys visible and the other toys are kept out of sight and will be rotated periodically (this is the same as what I do in my classroom). I just realized the whole toy thing could be its own blog post...so stay tuned! Have you found any strategies that help keep your home simplified? Please share in the comments!