Craving the Simple Life

It's New Year's Day and I am overloaded with laundry post Christmas, post vacation, post snow storm, post sled riding. Currently I face a basket of socks that will probably take me hours to match and the piles of toys and clothing that need to be sorted through, recycling needs to be put out to the curb and then the tree is losing it's vigor and perkiness so soon it will be time to take the tree out back and well...dealt with. Poor tree. My kids have gorged themselves on cookies, parties, unwrapped presents and in the last week we've had play dates and activities that just drained me to watch them participate in them. Skating, sledding, running, movies, dinner, Wii light saber duals and repeat this several times over the last 7 days and you can see why my back aches.

I saw a post recently that said someone had the post holiday blues, credit card bills coming in after buying all those presents. I often have in the past felt this way, but I don't even have the energy for that. I just crave getting this new year going on the right track and get back to "normal" whatever that is. The kids will get back to school and a great sigh of relief will overtake me on Monday and pray we don't have a snow day any day soon. With New Year's resolutions coming in from losing weight, to being more at peace with something like a loved one's passing or just cleaning out the closet we greet the new year like a new day.

Last year was pretty crappy for many of us. Financially we have seen better days. We've had several friends move towards divorce. We have lost loved ones. We have struggled with uphill battles from the inside out. Of course the new year is a time to reflect and move into a new time and put old saggy habits out to dry or have renewed spirit in our daily course of action with our battles within. But what do you think will change for us all in 2011 that is different?

For me, I look to my present state and hope to not wish away my kids' childhood so fast even though the thought of less laundry someday makes me giddy. I am appreciative of having friends and family that take time to share their lives with us despite the busyness of life. I am happy to say, we did not get caught in a bubble of debit this year and people loved my homemade crackers and chutney. I could loose a few pounds, eat less...exercise more, or join the gym. Or I could get back to my get up early and walk the dog routine that fell out of place the last couple of weeks.

I am tired, but actually this year I have a pleasant post Christmas "attitude of gratitude" as my Mom used to say. I am so thankful that God met my needs in so many ways both physically and spiritually that I am pleasantly content with a cup of tea, my family around me and a good book. I am reminded of a book long ago that changed my life and I am reminded of how I still try to live according to some it's very logical and simple ways of living called "The Simple Life". http://www.amazon.com/Living-Simple-Life-Scaling-Enjoying/dp/0786882425

I highly recommend it to anyone out there that is trying to not let get these big event times get the best of you or just the junk in your house. Clean those closets, purge or just make the resolution that the fish tank needs to go. Enjoy the simple things in life like a walk with the dog, tea with the kiddos or just a great novel from the library. I have found the less I have, that I actually grow in being content. I think we all crave some simplicity by the time the new year comes around. So when you find yourself pooped out with all the celebrations and want to start somewhere but can't dig out yourself from under the recycling bins...check this little book out and consider how to scale your life back so you can gain time for yourself and your family in 2011. Happy New Year and may you prosper and be blessed in all ways this year!

Lucy2Shoes