Dear Former-Little Me: I am sorry. I am sorry I grew up to be someone who thought about the opinions of others a little too often. I am sorry for the times I turned my head and choked on my tongue because it was easier than speaking my heart and risking the backlash. You were so bright. Like the…
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Why I Needed to Let Go (Shopping Addiction)
On this blog, I have written several articles about being, as I put it, a “Half-Assed” minimalist. And, while I have briefly touched on some of my background, I didn’t really get into the meat of the issue. I am doing that today. It will be uncomfortable, but if I can help even one person, it will be worth…
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Thoughts on a Tuesday: Ego
“Not everything is about you.” I tell myself, cursing the person in front of me, who is keeping their car a firm ten miles below the speed limit, at least. They seem to be overly cautious, I want to get home quickly, and our conflict of interest has left me feeling like they’re doing it on purpose. Ego is,…
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Guilty Pleasures: A Poem
There’s no limit to the measures One will take for their guilty pleasures I say to myself, and duck behind shelves The store is empty; I have it all to myself Thoughtfully, I run my hands over the wares One eye remains alert, I know I’ll get stares If anyone sees what I’m about to perform But the temptation’s…
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Hey, Listen.
There’s something I want you to know, and I hope you’ll remember it. It doesn’t matter if you think you’re “good” at art, as long as you create. As children, we are all creative and we all use our imagination. It’s only when we grow up that we start to subscribe to the notion that art is only for…
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Connecting with Myself Through Art Made Me Love People Again
There was a sunny little girl who didn’t know anyone as a stranger. She loved to smile and make others smile. The dimples in her cheeks were always showing, because laughter came easily to her. Then some things happened that weren’t so funny, or nice. There were unkind words at the hands of an adult whom she loved.…
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They Sold the Farm. Part of Our Hearts Went With It.
To get to my grandparents’ farm, you had to turn down an old country road that stood on the outskirts of town and drive down it for a couple of miles. From there, you would come to a fork in the road, and your options were to either continue on the paved road, or turn left and take a…
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Beat Your Triggers (Half-Assed Minimalist Series)
This is part of my Half-Assed Minimalism series, in which I share tips that have helped me curb my shopping addiction. I believe in not being bossy or preachy, but rather giving people the tools to take small steps to improve their lives. I hope you will join me, and be inspired to find your own ways of embracing…
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I’m Adopted, but My Mom is Still My “Real” Mom
I was in my late teens or early 20’s and spending the night with a friend. My mom and I had gotten into an argument—-not uncommon in those days—-and I was venting. My friend, perhaps in an attempt to make me feel better, said soothingly, “Well, it isn’t like she’s your real mom anyway.” The remark left me feeling…
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My Life as a Half-Assed Minimalist (No-Buy Year Attempt)
“Babe”, I announced to my husband, Mike, as he sat on the couch, “this no-buy year is proving to be a wash.” I had gone into it with the best of intentions last fall. I was inspired and riding the high of the minimalism blogs and podcasts I follow. This would be the answer! I would clean out every…
