Ice Cream for Dinner

All or nothing. That is how I have lived most of my life. I am either all in or I am not at all, there isn't anything in between. I operate in a fixed mindset. On or off. Black or white. Truthfully, that serves me well at times. However, there are areas of my life … Continue reading Ice Cream for Dinner →

A City With No Walls

In America, we live within the borders we see on maps. Lines drawn across vast stretches of land define futures, with no regard to circumstance. Where I live, in Northern California, I can drive for a few hours and cross the border into Nevada. There is no wall, no physical border between us. I just … Continue reading A City With No Walls →

Savoring Secrets

Calories eaten in secret don't count, right? We all know that isn't true, but we sure savor that chocolate bar a little different when no one is around. It's not that I don't have to share it - if that was the case I would just buy two. It is about being free from the … Continue reading Savoring Secrets →

Mom Guilt

I have always been a driven person, placing high expectations on myself. At least that is the way to say it that sounds the best. The more accurate truth is that I have always been a little girl doing her best, begging for someone to notice her. Operating at a high level of excellence was … Continue reading Mom Guilt →

The Age of Accountability

I’ve been fighting this battle as long as I can remember. Well, I don’t know if fighting is the right word, since that would imply that I have been actively opposing, and that’s not entirely true. Maybe I have been struggling, not fighting. At times I have fought, and at times I have coasted along … Continue reading The Age of Accountability →

Paradise is a Lie

I once read in a book that if you're feeling like you need a vacation, you should try building a life that you don't need a vacation from. When I read those words for the first time, I stopped and pondered for a moment what that life might look like. Then I went about my … Continue reading Paradise is a Lie →

Purging Hope

You may have clicked the link today to see how many things I purged from my home, but the only thing that was purged from me this week was hope. As I have purged things from my home, the items that remain have become illuminated. These precious things that made the cut somehow feel more … Continue reading Purging Hope →

Things Too Special to Use

I am not sure if it was dumping the heavy weight of that empty hope or the promise I now can see, way off in the distance, but today, I woke up energized. It's Monday, which recently became family day in my home. It also means chores, laundry, shopping and errands, but it is a … Continue reading Things Too Special to Use →

Candles Were Meant to Be Enjoyed

What is the deal with flat surfaces becoming collection spaces? The more I de-clutter, the more I realize that every inch of flat surface area in my home is covered with stuff - books, hats, papers, flashlights - a variety of items, most of which don't have a home. I have learned on this journey … Continue reading Candles Were Meant to Be Enjoyed →

The More of Less

Somehow the holiday didn't feel the same this year. When you're on a mission to rid your home of excess, it is difficult to receive gifts. You find yourself analyzing each package as you're opening it, evaluating which pile this gift will end up in. Is this a gift that you're going to love and … Continue reading The More of Less →