One of my goals for simplifying was to begin meditating. I've been working on that this week, and chose to tackle it in the morning when I get to work. I'm an early bird--don't get me wrong, I love when it's the weekend and I can sleep til 10, but during the work week, I'd just as soon get up and get going. In the morning, I get up and go running, and get in to work at the college by 8:00. No one else is in that early, so I have a bit of quiet time to myself, which is part of the reason I make a point to come in; I value the quiet, the time to wrap my head around my day, pull my files, drink my coffee, check the weather. So I folded my meditation time into that routine.
I like to sit on the floor. I tried my chair, but almost fell asleep. I set the alarm on my cell phone, close my eyes, and walk through a process of progressive relaxation from head to toe, and then focused meditation on a "mantra." Nothing fancy here: my meditation word is "still." It's a reminder to be quiet, to be calm, to cultivate an inner stillness when so much goes on outside.
As I mentioned before, a monk at the retreat I attended this spring gave me a brief tutorial on this type of meditation, and he told me a couple things that I feel are especially important. First, your brain takes time to get used to meditating, and it will become clear when it starts to move out of a meditative state. Sometimes, that happens before my alarm goes off, and I do a mental check to see if we can go back. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. The second thing he told me is to be kind to myself about the meditation. It's not about judgment. Some days, especially now at the beginning, I'm not able to do it for very long. 10 minutes and I'm just done. But that's 10 minutes I carve out for me and for nothing else, and that's valuable. I've been trying to add a minute here and there this past week, and today I did 14 minutes no problem--could have gone longer. So it's about practice.
Meditation is good for me. I am horrible about letting myself take breaks in my life, and this gives me a structured time to just be with myself. So far, a success.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
No Time or Not Making Time?
So I realize it's been awhile since I've last posted. I never actually posted my last day. I feel like I have a good excuse. I've been busy. I haven't had time. And to be honest, no, I haven't had time. But that's because I'm not making time. I'm so tired of being busy. I'm so tired of not having time. What am I doing in my life that is leading me to not have time to do what I enjoy? What kind of a person lives a life they don't like? Why is it so much easier to continue living a life I don't like than to make changes so I enjoy my life? Why is change so difficult?
Unfortunately, I do not have the answers to these questions. But I feel slightly better knowing I made time in my schedule to find five minutes to type these questions.
Unfortunately, I do not have the answers to these questions. But I feel slightly better knowing I made time in my schedule to find five minutes to type these questions.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Simplifying My Mind: Mental Chaos and Changing the Voice Inside My Head.
My quest for simplification stems from the internal voice that is always in my head. I'm kind of an overachiever. I'm also kind of hard on myself. I get ideas into my head about what I should do, and then I stick to them or feel guilty. I also have a tendency to goGoGO and try to do a million things at once. This makes me incredibly productive, but also makes me incredibly mentally stressed out. At night, when I am packing my gym back, packing my lunch, helping with dinner clean up, checking my e-mail, brushing my teeth, cleaning off the table, gathering up my library books to return, feeding the cat...well, I forget to breathe. All I want to do is sit and relax because my days are long, but I literally CANNOT STOP. Every time I sit to enjoy Community (or whatever), I'm up at every commercial because I feel compelled to DO the thing I remembered I needed (wanted?) to do. The thinking goes like this: "Well, if I just get up and get it done, then it'll all be done and I can relax." But I'm never relaxed because there's always something else to do and hell, this is life. It's never all done!
So, one of my goals for simplification? Do one thing at a time, and change the words the voice is saying. Instead of "Don't forget this and this and this...Get this done, you're not done yet, can't relax til you finish everything!" I want the voice to say, "Dude, relax. You can brush your teeth later. Enjoy the show right now...and only the show."
So, back to the issue of being hard on myself. This morning, I went for a run. I do this a few days a week on my way to work, which I've mentioned before. I have no passion for running (I don't get a "runner's high" or go to that Zen place where my legs just move and my mind empties and I can fly), but I like to feel healthy and I recognize that I am naturally someone who enjoys being at rest, so I overcome my natural state and pound the pavement a few mornings a week. But this morning, I just felt slow. I shoot for 4 miles in the morning, but this morning, I decided to do 3.5 instead. You might be thinking, "Well, no biggie..." but when you have a tendency toward rigid thinking, 3.5 is VERY DIFFERENT from 4. It's not really quantitative. I had to do with my expectations for myself.
Today, though, I decided to give myself a break. "Cool," I said to my body. "You're having kind of a hard time getting started. Just do 3.5. That's legit." My body thanked me. It also told me that it wanted to walk a bit today. My automatic thinking went like this, "But if you walk, it's not really a run, now, is it?" Today, we examined that a little and I gave myself a second break. "Walk if you walk, body. Thanks for moving me around this morning. You did some good running. Interval training is helpful, too!" So we took walk breaks.
This might sound like I'm a little obsessive (I am). I also fear that it sounds lazy. But hey, my exercise is about me, and not about what something thinks of me. So I'm trying to be kind to myself and just get over it.
Tiny steps, huh?
So, one of my goals for simplification? Do one thing at a time, and change the words the voice is saying. Instead of "Don't forget this and this and this...Get this done, you're not done yet, can't relax til you finish everything!" I want the voice to say, "Dude, relax. You can brush your teeth later. Enjoy the show right now...and only the show."
So, back to the issue of being hard on myself. This morning, I went for a run. I do this a few days a week on my way to work, which I've mentioned before. I have no passion for running (I don't get a "runner's high" or go to that Zen place where my legs just move and my mind empties and I can fly), but I like to feel healthy and I recognize that I am naturally someone who enjoys being at rest, so I overcome my natural state and pound the pavement a few mornings a week. But this morning, I just felt slow. I shoot for 4 miles in the morning, but this morning, I decided to do 3.5 instead. You might be thinking, "Well, no biggie..." but when you have a tendency toward rigid thinking, 3.5 is VERY DIFFERENT from 4. It's not really quantitative. I had to do with my expectations for myself.
Today, though, I decided to give myself a break. "Cool," I said to my body. "You're having kind of a hard time getting started. Just do 3.5. That's legit." My body thanked me. It also told me that it wanted to walk a bit today. My automatic thinking went like this, "But if you walk, it's not really a run, now, is it?" Today, we examined that a little and I gave myself a second break. "Walk if you walk, body. Thanks for moving me around this morning. You did some good running. Interval training is helpful, too!" So we took walk breaks.
This might sound like I'm a little obsessive (I am). I also fear that it sounds lazy. But hey, my exercise is about me, and not about what something thinks of me. So I'm trying to be kind to myself and just get over it.
Tiny steps, huh?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Continuing to Simplify: The First Day of the Rest of My Life
Tonight, I had to pack for an overnight conference I'm attending Wed/Thurs this week. And I froze. I looked at my closet (which has its clothes back), and I froze. I started with the premise that I wanted to wear brown shoes for two days, and then I "couldn't find two outfits that required brown shoes." I stopped, realized I was being ridiculous, reevaluated the importance of the shoes, freed myself from the idea of wearing the sweater I had picked out, and put together two outfits with a slightly less-brown shoes. I hope that I can continue to have a pleasant, easy, clothing mindset and not get frozen, but I might need to do some more purging. Or just wait until a true switch-over to fall clothes begins. Right now we're kind of in-between and it's a little overwhelming to have two seasons of clothes to work with. Incidentally, my closet also still needs to be organized. Pictures of the clean, new, re-full closet to come this weekend.
Today at work, I did some thinking about what it means to simplify, and what I want that to look like in my life. It was a little tricky, to be honest, and here's why: When I Googled "ways to simplify your life," a lot of the suggestions were things I/we already do around here. I'm kind of an efficiency nut, and so I'm pretty good at making tough things as quick and bearable as possible. Case in point: all our payments that can be automized are. We already do menu planning and weekly shopping to match that menu. And we have a chore chart/rotation so that a major house cleaning never comes all at once and it's always clear who is responsible for what. Word.
So those things are already in place, but life still seems complicated and busy. I've done a little thinking about some potential goals I have for simplifying, and here is what I have come up with so far:
1. Find time to meditate. I recognize that technically this is adding something to my life. But it's adding time to do nothing to my life, and there is value to that. In the spring, when I went to a weekend-long silent retreat, I talked to the monk/spiritual director of the retreat about finding time to slow down my mind and my life, and he recommended making time to meditate. I did it for about a week, and then stopped. It was just one more thing. But I think that it's really important for me to take that time, to just be, to "feel my feelings" as my supervisor says, and to just give my mind a chance to relax. I'm thinking that I might do this in the early mornings when I get into the counseling center. I come in at 8 each day, and never schedule clients til 9. Sometimes I have a bit of paperwork, but honestly, I mostly check USAToday, the weather, and facebook. I think that meditating would be a better use of my time.
2. Make work time for work. When I'm at work, I always have gmail up on my computer, in addition to my work e-mail. That means that every five seconds, I'm checking my personal e-mail. And when I don't have clients because no one is scheduled or they no-show, that time should be used for making myself a better counselor: reading, meditating, reflecting on my practice, or even just getting outside and taking a walk. Not checking e-mail. Or playing solitaire with Vegas scoring. Or checking facebook. I think I need to do some internet compartmentalization so that my work can stay focused and I don't feel all multi-tasky all the time.
3. Cut down on computer time. I am a big believer in the power of the internet and the awesomeness of communication. As I have mentioned, I love me some Facebook and Dailymile and Ravelry. And e-mail. But damn it, I also love to read a book or just talk to my husband, and I find it hard to do so when there's always something online to check. "Being online" is SUCH A TIMESUCK. So I think I'm going to institute some unplugged evenings, or weekend days. I mean, there's no reason I need the internet on Saturdays. At least not usually. And if I need it for directions to get to the apple orchard, cool. But if I just want to get on facebook and kill time, not cool. I gave up facebook for Lent this year and it was awesome. I kinda love/hate it now. So I think going cold turkey, at least for some set amount of time, will really be beneficial for me.
4. Get rid of a thing a day. I read about this online, the idea being that at the end of a year, you have 365 fewer things. Sure, I'll shop in the meantime, but at least this way there's a cycle of in and out. I like it, and it doesn't feel so hard to get rid of a thing a day. I also like that this doesn't HAVE to be so slavish as finding the time each day to get rid of something -- you can just as easily get rid of 7 things a week or whatever. Also, this will produce good visual content for the blog! :)
5. Pick up as you use things. This is something that's suggested on some of those simplify your life lists, and it's something I'm alright at, but could be better. Especially with shoes. But I do admit, that the idea of NOT having to pick up before I vacuum is appealing. By the same token, my dear husband bears the brunt of the dishes in our house. This is partly because he cleans up after dinner, but also because I do not wash out "just this one glass" when I have a drink, or "that plate" when I have an English muffin for breakfast. I could do better to just clean up these dishes as I use them, too, and then no one is left with extra to do later.
6. Single-tasking. I am a multi-tasker, and I am a pretty efficient person. But I FEEL cognitively jumbled, and I think it's because I never focus on one thing. I have talked to friends and family recently about my "cognitive decline." I really am making more verbal slip-ups, I'm not able to retrieve words as easily, I can't get the information from the mental filing cabinet as quickly. I'm convinced it's because I have SO MUCH going on all the time up there. I need to slow down and do one thing at a time. I know that sometimes it's not possible, but it often is, and I don't take the opportunity. I think I'd be happier, for example, if I just walked slower, instead of always walkingtogetsomewhereimmediately.
7. Consider the obligations I have. I was working a (very) part-time job on a couple weekend days a month. I love this job, the people are great, the discount is great, but right now, my internships are pretty consuming, and I want a weekend. So I dropped it, temporarily. And right now, I'm much happier. There's not a ton of other things I can drop, but I'm keeping my eye on myself and the commitments I feel an urge to take on. And trying to talk myself out of such things.
This list isn't exhaustive, and I imagine having varying degrees of success with it. But I think, at the very least, I'm going to start with trying to meditate 3 days a week when I get into the office. It's a good first goal.
Today at work, I did some thinking about what it means to simplify, and what I want that to look like in my life. It was a little tricky, to be honest, and here's why: When I Googled "ways to simplify your life," a lot of the suggestions were things I/we already do around here. I'm kind of an efficiency nut, and so I'm pretty good at making tough things as quick and bearable as possible. Case in point: all our payments that can be automized are. We already do menu planning and weekly shopping to match that menu. And we have a chore chart/rotation so that a major house cleaning never comes all at once and it's always clear who is responsible for what. Word.
So those things are already in place, but life still seems complicated and busy. I've done a little thinking about some potential goals I have for simplifying, and here is what I have come up with so far:
1. Find time to meditate. I recognize that technically this is adding something to my life. But it's adding time to do nothing to my life, and there is value to that. In the spring, when I went to a weekend-long silent retreat, I talked to the monk/spiritual director of the retreat about finding time to slow down my mind and my life, and he recommended making time to meditate. I did it for about a week, and then stopped. It was just one more thing. But I think that it's really important for me to take that time, to just be, to "feel my feelings" as my supervisor says, and to just give my mind a chance to relax. I'm thinking that I might do this in the early mornings when I get into the counseling center. I come in at 8 each day, and never schedule clients til 9. Sometimes I have a bit of paperwork, but honestly, I mostly check USAToday, the weather, and facebook. I think that meditating would be a better use of my time.
2. Make work time for work. When I'm at work, I always have gmail up on my computer, in addition to my work e-mail. That means that every five seconds, I'm checking my personal e-mail. And when I don't have clients because no one is scheduled or they no-show, that time should be used for making myself a better counselor: reading, meditating, reflecting on my practice, or even just getting outside and taking a walk. Not checking e-mail. Or playing solitaire with Vegas scoring. Or checking facebook. I think I need to do some internet compartmentalization so that my work can stay focused and I don't feel all multi-tasky all the time.
3. Cut down on computer time. I am a big believer in the power of the internet and the awesomeness of communication. As I have mentioned, I love me some Facebook and Dailymile and Ravelry. And e-mail. But damn it, I also love to read a book or just talk to my husband, and I find it hard to do so when there's always something online to check. "Being online" is SUCH A TIMESUCK. So I think I'm going to institute some unplugged evenings, or weekend days. I mean, there's no reason I need the internet on Saturdays. At least not usually. And if I need it for directions to get to the apple orchard, cool. But if I just want to get on facebook and kill time, not cool. I gave up facebook for Lent this year and it was awesome. I kinda love/hate it now. So I think going cold turkey, at least for some set amount of time, will really be beneficial for me.
4. Get rid of a thing a day. I read about this online, the idea being that at the end of a year, you have 365 fewer things. Sure, I'll shop in the meantime, but at least this way there's a cycle of in and out. I like it, and it doesn't feel so hard to get rid of a thing a day. I also like that this doesn't HAVE to be so slavish as finding the time each day to get rid of something -- you can just as easily get rid of 7 things a week or whatever. Also, this will produce good visual content for the blog! :)
5. Pick up as you use things. This is something that's suggested on some of those simplify your life lists, and it's something I'm alright at, but could be better. Especially with shoes. But I do admit, that the idea of NOT having to pick up before I vacuum is appealing. By the same token, my dear husband bears the brunt of the dishes in our house. This is partly because he cleans up after dinner, but also because I do not wash out "just this one glass" when I have a drink, or "that plate" when I have an English muffin for breakfast. I could do better to just clean up these dishes as I use them, too, and then no one is left with extra to do later.
6. Single-tasking. I am a multi-tasker, and I am a pretty efficient person. But I FEEL cognitively jumbled, and I think it's because I never focus on one thing. I have talked to friends and family recently about my "cognitive decline." I really am making more verbal slip-ups, I'm not able to retrieve words as easily, I can't get the information from the mental filing cabinet as quickly. I'm convinced it's because I have SO MUCH going on all the time up there. I need to slow down and do one thing at a time. I know that sometimes it's not possible, but it often is, and I don't take the opportunity. I think I'd be happier, for example, if I just walked slower, instead of always walkingtogetsomewhereimmediately.
7. Consider the obligations I have. I was working a (very) part-time job on a couple weekend days a month. I love this job, the people are great, the discount is great, but right now, my internships are pretty consuming, and I want a weekend. So I dropped it, temporarily. And right now, I'm much happier. There's not a ton of other things I can drop, but I'm keeping my eye on myself and the commitments I feel an urge to take on. And trying to talk myself out of such things.
This list isn't exhaustive, and I imagine having varying degrees of success with it. But I think, at the very least, I'm going to start with trying to meditate 3 days a week when I get into the office. It's a good first goal.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Day 30: How Sweet It Is
And the grand finale:
Pretty swanky, huh?
And you thought it couldn't be done!
Pretty swanky, huh?
And you thought it couldn't be done!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Day 29: Almost There
Day 29, and I'm looking disheveled and slouchy:
Whatevs. It's the end of the day, and I like to think of it as an absentminded but caring therapist look. I mean, I have the cardigan, right?
I like Caroline's idea about blogging to live more simply, and I think it will be good to hold myself accountable. I won't post every day, but I do have some ideas for things I want to try to live more simply, so I think it's a fine idea.
One day to go. Phew!
I like Caroline's idea about blogging to live more simply, and I think it will be good to hold myself accountable. I won't post every day, but I do have some ideas for things I want to try to live more simply, so I think it's a fine idea.
One day to go. Phew!
Caroline Day 28-29 Thoughts on the future
The image on the left is what I wore on Sunday. I was tired after the game on Saturday, so I threw on some sweats. Then I slept in the sweatpants. Then I wore them on Sunday. Don't judge me. They are super comfortable. Originally, sweatpants weren't on the list so:
57. sweatpants
58. another pair of socks (despite only having 7 pairs of socks, I managed to lose a pair)
59. another pair of underwear because I failed in planning out my laundry days.
60. another pair of jeans (it got cold here)
Yup, nothing like adding a few more items on the last day of a challenge. Oh well, I've still met my goal of 60. Also, I never wore my capris or my grey dress pants. Interesting.
Moving right along, today I'm wearing the new jeans, t-shirt, and blue zip up sweatshirt (not pictured). I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of the challenge. My roommate asked me what I plan to wear on Wednesday. I'm not sure. I'll probably end up wearing the same stuff I've been wearing thus far. I really don't miss my old clothes. My other roommate commented that it doesn't seem like I've been wearing the same things, so I consider this challenge a success. Also, many thanks to Claire (the first roommate mentioned in this paragraph) who has been taking pictures of me everyday.
Now that the challenge is almost over, I'm looking towards the future. Like Becky, I want to give away some of my clothes. Of course, this is a lot easier in theory than in practice. Even though I've gone 30 days, I fear that I may need something for a special occasion. I'm debating whether or not it's better to have stuff "just in case" or if I'd be better off getting rid of stuff and buying new stuff if I need it. Because chances are, I could probably live without it. Most likely, I will just pack a box full of clothes to be left at home while I'm at college. Then it's kinda there but kinda not. Then in a year or so, maybe I'll be willing to donate it.
Also, I've been thinking about future challenges. As previously mentioned, I'll be going to Australia next semester. I'm thinking about trying to limit myself to 75 items of clothing for 2-4 months. Obviously, I can't bring many clothes with me, and I don't want to buy a lot of clothes there only to have no way to get them back to America. This idea is still in the works.
Also, Becky and I have to decide what we want to do with this blog. I've discovered that I really like blogging. Even if we decide to discontinue the blog, I think I will make my own. However, I have a different suggestion. I think we should keep the blog going and we can continue to document our attempts to live more simply/minimalisticlly. There would probably be fewer pictures, but the content would still be there. What do you think, Becky?
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Day 28: Fancy Dress
Today, we went to a wedding. I especially picked this outfit way ahead of time, because even though the skirt wasn't really something I would wear the rest of the challenge, the shirt was definitely a multi-tasker. The shoes, too.
The day was GORGEOUS! Perfect sunny September weather, and the wedding was really lovely: very personal for the bride and groom, with a bit of a Sound of Music theme that kind of made my heart thump. Walking down the aisle to Edelweiss? Yes, please.
This is what I accomplished yesterday:
This is a picture of a "clothes for later" suitcase. The plastic bag is full of t-shirts that I don't wear but want to keep -- things like dorm shirts and band shirts from college, and high school shirts. Memento clothing and the like. The rest of the stuff is clothing that's too big for me at the moment, but I want to keep around in case winter hibernation gets the best of me, or in case, in the next few years, I end up gestating. Might as well save too-big clothes now and avoid having to buy a whole new stupid wardrobe later.
This is all the crap I'm getting rid of. The box is stuff I'm going to take to Plato's closet and try to make a few bucks on, and the bags are going to Goodwill. I ended up with about 65 items to donate, and many more I just tossed (old shirts, socks, gross shoes, etc.) Definitely more than 75 total.
When I move things back into the closet next week, I'll take a new picture. But I'm quite pleased!
The day was GORGEOUS! Perfect sunny September weather, and the wedding was really lovely: very personal for the bride and groom, with a bit of a Sound of Music theme that kind of made my heart thump. Walking down the aisle to Edelweiss? Yes, please.
This is what I accomplished yesterday:
This is a picture of a "clothes for later" suitcase. The plastic bag is full of t-shirts that I don't wear but want to keep -- things like dorm shirts and band shirts from college, and high school shirts. Memento clothing and the like. The rest of the stuff is clothing that's too big for me at the moment, but I want to keep around in case winter hibernation gets the best of me, or in case, in the next few years, I end up gestating. Might as well save too-big clothes now and avoid having to buy a whole new stupid wardrobe later.
This is all the crap I'm getting rid of. The box is stuff I'm going to take to Plato's closet and try to make a few bucks on, and the bags are going to Goodwill. I ended up with about 65 items to donate, and many more I just tossed (old shirts, socks, gross shoes, etc.) Definitely more than 75 total.
When I move things back into the closet next week, I'll take a new picture. But I'm quite pleased!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Day 27: A New Challenge
Yesterday, I wrote that I was going to do the big purge next weekend. I had a plan: Do the purge while still in the middle of the challenge so that I was in the right mindframe when I was going. I'm afraid that if I put all the clothes back and THEN start going through them, I'm going to be all, "Oh hello long-lost friend! I need you! I can't get rid of you!" and then the whole thing will be a bust.
But then I realized that next weekend we will not be IN the challenge. WHAT? We are DONE THIS WEEK! 30 days is TUESDAY! Crappers! That went fast!
In looking back over the original post I wrote, I realized I said we were going until 9/30. This is false. I think I meant 30 days, because for goodness' sake, that's what it says on the banner of our page.
So that means the purge happens this weekend. In considering how I was going to approach the re-introduction of old clothes and combine that with the purge I envision happening with my new sense of minimalist clothing freedom, I realized I needed some parameters to stick to my guns. So my goals is this: Purge 75 articles of clothing from my wardrobe. In reality, I hope it will be much more...but it must be AT LEAST 75. I hope to do a little weeding tonight (maybe when I'm done with this entry), and then continue tomorrow.
But enough about the future. How about today?
Today, Andy and I went to the country. So I wore pig tails:
We picked a lot of apples. As usual, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Then we went to Pizza Hut (Nom nom) and came home and I made a pie:
(It's frozen and waiting to be baked on Monday). I also made apple fritters, because my coworker mentioned this fried wonder, and I've been reminiscing about the ones at Der Dutchman lately:
These are obviously mine, not the Der's.
It has been a delightful day. Fall is here, Walt, our landlord, is taking down the cages around the tomato plants, and the leaves are just hinting at changing color. I can't wait for the cool weather to keep rolling in and the sweaters to come out. Wheeeeee!
But then I realized that next weekend we will not be IN the challenge. WHAT? We are DONE THIS WEEK! 30 days is TUESDAY! Crappers! That went fast!
In looking back over the original post I wrote, I realized I said we were going until 9/30. This is false. I think I meant 30 days, because for goodness' sake, that's what it says on the banner of our page.
So that means the purge happens this weekend. In considering how I was going to approach the re-introduction of old clothes and combine that with the purge I envision happening with my new sense of minimalist clothing freedom, I realized I needed some parameters to stick to my guns. So my goals is this: Purge 75 articles of clothing from my wardrobe. In reality, I hope it will be much more...but it must be AT LEAST 75. I hope to do a little weeding tonight (maybe when I'm done with this entry), and then continue tomorrow.
But enough about the future. How about today?
Today, Andy and I went to the country. So I wore pig tails:
We picked a lot of apples. As usual, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Then we went to Pizza Hut (Nom nom) and came home and I made a pie:
It has been a delightful day. Fall is here, Walt, our landlord, is taking down the cages around the tomato plants, and the leaves are just hinting at changing color. I can't wait for the cool weather to keep rolling in and the sweaters to come out. Wheeeeee!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Day 26: Welcome, Weekend! ...and an intentional challenge slipup.
Sorry yesterday's post was superlame. It was one of those 6:15am-9:00pm days. As in that's when I left my house and came back. Yowza!
But it's the weekend! And what a glorious weekend it shall be...after we take care of some megacleaning this afternoon.
Today was all about being warm...because as I've mentioned, it suddenly turned to fall in Vermont yesterday! I feel absolutely thrilled about fall, even if the frost alert this morning gave me a temporary shock. I realized I'm taking it a little far when one of the students today came in with a bad cold, and I got a little thrill because my first thought was, "Oh! A fall cold!"
However...a confession. I broke the challenge today. And I did it intentionally. Here's what happened:
I've been getting up early on my days at the college so I can hit the bike path on the way to work and run before I get into the office. However, the clothing that I picked for the challenge in terms of workout wear is not sufficient for frost-inducing temperatures. So today I made the decision to wear one of my long-sleeve wicking shirts to run because, damn, it was cold. I justified it in the following way: I included a pair of cords in the challenge that I have not yet worn. I figure if I keep them off the challenge until the end, I can feel somewhat ok about having to break out the long-sleeved shirt. It is what it is. I value warmth and non-sickness. I also wore an earband to keep ear infection away, which I think is legit, much like the baseball cap I wear while running for sun protection.
On another note, I took a hiatus from my part-time retail job. I plan to go back and work some holiday hours, but in the interest of simplifying, I thought it was appropriate. I want my weekends. I want to laze on the couch and read a book and hang out with the husband and cat. And NOT worry about having to fold a thousand shirts. :)
Anyhow, here was my rest-of-the-day outfit:
Sorry the pic is kind of dark today.
Up next weekend...the big purge! Stay tuned.
But it's the weekend! And what a glorious weekend it shall be...after we take care of some megacleaning this afternoon.
Today was all about being warm...because as I've mentioned, it suddenly turned to fall in Vermont yesterday! I feel absolutely thrilled about fall, even if the frost alert this morning gave me a temporary shock. I realized I'm taking it a little far when one of the students today came in with a bad cold, and I got a little thrill because my first thought was, "Oh! A fall cold!"
However...a confession. I broke the challenge today. And I did it intentionally. Here's what happened:
I've been getting up early on my days at the college so I can hit the bike path on the way to work and run before I get into the office. However, the clothing that I picked for the challenge in terms of workout wear is not sufficient for frost-inducing temperatures. So today I made the decision to wear one of my long-sleeve wicking shirts to run because, damn, it was cold. I justified it in the following way: I included a pair of cords in the challenge that I have not yet worn. I figure if I keep them off the challenge until the end, I can feel somewhat ok about having to break out the long-sleeved shirt. It is what it is. I value warmth and non-sickness. I also wore an earband to keep ear infection away, which I think is legit, much like the baseball cap I wear while running for sun protection.
On another note, I took a hiatus from my part-time retail job. I plan to go back and work some holiday hours, but in the interest of simplifying, I thought it was appropriate. I want my weekends. I want to laze on the couch and read a book and hang out with the husband and cat. And NOT worry about having to fold a thousand shirts. :)
Anyhow, here was my rest-of-the-day outfit:
Sorry the pic is kind of dark today.
Up next weekend...the big purge! Stay tuned.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Day 25: Exhausted
This picture almost didn't happen today. Sorry I'm not wearing shoes. Also, the fleece really was on almost all day...it suddenly got cold here in VT.
Caroline Days 23-Thoreau was one smart man
Tuesday: I wore my blue dress as an actual dress. This is the fourth time I've worn this dress, but the other 3 times I wore it as a skirt. It's funny because I've worn this dress maybe 10 times since I bought it 2-3 years ago. Who knew it was so versatile?
Wednesday: Kinda lazy. Jeans, t-shirt, the cardigan dresses it up a little. I've never worn a cardigan with a t-shirt before, but this is now one of my favorite looks.
Thursday: jeans an
d hoodie. This is my first time wearing a hoodie this fall! It's so exciting to wear a hoodie for the first time. Of course, I'll be bored of them come November. My cool autumn day was made even better by the dinning hall who served pumpkin-apple soup. That's right, not only am I trying new clothes combinations, I'm trying new food combinations as well.Now, let's finish things off with some quotes by Thoreau. I'm currently reading Walden, and last night I read the section where he talks about clothes.
"Kings and queens who wear a suit but once, though made by some tailor or dressmaker to their majesties, cannot know the comfort of wearing a suit that fits...Every day our garments become more assimilated to ourselves, receiving the impress of the wearer's character..."
"No man ever stood the lower in my estimation for having a patch in his clothes; yet I am sure that there is greater anxiety, commonly, to have fashionable, or at least clean and unpatched clothes, than to have a sound conscience."
"Perhaps we should never procure a new suit, however ragged or dirty the old, until we have so conducted, so enterprised or sailed in some way, that we feel like new men in the old, and that to retain it would be like keeping new wine in old bottles."
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Day 24: Wait, When Did it Become Day 24?
Seriously, when I saw that today's picture was named Day 24, I kind of freaked out. I can't believe it's been that long! I mean, I know that's only three weeks and a bit, but the year is well underway!
This morning when I was getting dressed, I was envisioning dumping bags of old clothes, and getting pretty psyched about it. I plan to do that work next weekend, when I'm still technically in the midst of the challenge, before I slip back into the old mindset of "But I might NEED this." I think that if I pick through just a bit at a time -- the old hanging clothes, first, then t-shirts, etc, rather than trying to see it all at once, it'll go better. At least I hope I still have the insight to purge appropriately!
This morning when I was getting dressed, I was envisioning dumping bags of old clothes, and getting pretty psyched about it. I plan to do that work next weekend, when I'm still technically in the midst of the challenge, before I slip back into the old mindset of "But I might NEED this." I think that if I pick through just a bit at a time -- the old hanging clothes, first, then t-shirts, etc, rather than trying to see it all at once, it'll go better. At least I hope I still have the insight to purge appropriately!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Becky Day 23: The Endless Day
I'm leaving my house in about 10 minutes (at 7:15), and returning tonight at 10pm. Awesome, right? I've gotta get this guy done this morning, because there isn't really other time to do it! :)
I love these polo shirts I have, and the green one, especially, is my fave:
I know I've worn this top a couple times with this sweater, but the green and brown just look so nice together! And the pants are pretty comfy, which is essential for getting through such a long day.
Like Caroline, I've also been thinking about simplifying my life, and I'm starting to work on ways to do that. Yesterday, when I was having supervision with my boss (that's what we call it when we talk about all our clinical stuff), she encouraged me to be taking 5 minutes during my day to just "feel my feelings" so I don't get too caught up in everyone else's. It's so simple, but something I don't take the time for -- I'm much more inclined to play solitaire on my computer at work, or read a book I checked out from the library (about counseling...but still) than sit in my chair with nothing to do and feel my feelings. Or maybe feeling my feelings IS something to do, and that's how I have to start looking at things. It's such a little thing, but it's a microcosm of the way I live my life; always something to do, never time to rest and just be. I want to do more just being.
I love these polo shirts I have, and the green one, especially, is my fave:
I know I've worn this top a couple times with this sweater, but the green and brown just look so nice together! And the pants are pretty comfy, which is essential for getting through such a long day.
Like Caroline, I've also been thinking about simplifying my life, and I'm starting to work on ways to do that. Yesterday, when I was having supervision with my boss (that's what we call it when we talk about all our clinical stuff), she encouraged me to be taking 5 minutes during my day to just "feel my feelings" so I don't get too caught up in everyone else's. It's so simple, but something I don't take the time for -- I'm much more inclined to play solitaire on my computer at work, or read a book I checked out from the library (about counseling...but still) than sit in my chair with nothing to do and feel my feelings. Or maybe feeling my feelings IS something to do, and that's how I have to start looking at things. It's such a little thing, but it's a microcosm of the way I live my life; always something to do, never time to rest and just be. I want to do more just being.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Caroline Day 22: More hippie-ness and laziness
The picture on the left is from Thursday. Yeah, I haven't posted a picture in a while. It was another game weekend. But I thought I looked pretty adorable on Thursday. The skirt is actually the blue sundress I wore as a skirt before. Except this time I wore it inside out. Look at me, getting all creative. Also, this is the first time I've worn a t-shirt with a skirt. I like it.
Today, I wore a t-shirt and shorts. I'm still super tired from the game this weekend. It was an away game that we lost in the last 2 seconds, and I didn't get back until 5am on Sunday. Ugh. Hopefully we will finally manage to win a game this weekend.
I know I've mentioned this before, but I'm still not tired of my clothes. I think I may get rid of a lot of stuff after this challenge. But the thought of giving away clothes make me nervous. It's fine if I can't wear them as long as I still have them.
I am in the middle of grappling with the desire to live simply and the actuality of living simply. I feel like I've made a lot of steps in the right direction, but I still feel cluttered and stressed. Mostly, I've been thinking about this in relation to my school work. I'm only taking 13 credits (4 classes) and I'm only working 5.5 hours a week (as opposed to 8 hours last year), but I'm still stressed. I know I'd be less stressed if I gave up band, but that's not something I want to give up. I know a lot people are involved in a lot more than I am, and they're able to handle it. I think I need to realize that I (like everyone) have different capabilities and different limits. I have to remind myself that while I could be doing more, I wouldn't necessarily be enjoying myself more. I may be stressed right now, but I also realize that I'm less stressed than last semester. I feel guilty about doing less because I've always been such an overachiever. But I think I'm beginning to realize that I'd rather enjoy the few activities I'm involved in than being stressed out by too many activities. I don't want to just survive, I want to live my life.
Day 22: In Under the Wire
I almost forgot to post today! When I came home, I took my picture, but then got lost in making dinner, spinning, buying plane tickets home for Christmas, etc. In the midst of petting the cat, I suddenly remembered I had forgotten today's post!
But here we go:
I look a bit dumpy around the middle (which I wasn't feeling at all until I looked at the pic!), because this is a yoga skirt and it folds over at the top, making wearing a t-shirt over it a tad awkward on those hips.
Nonetheless, I'm pretty sure that I have successfully completed 22 days without wearing exactly the same outfit twice. Booyah! Who says you can't make a wardrobe out of 75 pieces? Now, I'm starting not to feel so bad for those people on What Not To Wear, who lose their whole wardrobe and then only get, like, 75 pieces for the $5000 Stacey and Clinton give them. Totally sufficient. At least for a season. Or for somewhere like Louisiana where there ARE no seasons.
But here we go:
I look a bit dumpy around the middle (which I wasn't feeling at all until I looked at the pic!), because this is a yoga skirt and it folds over at the top, making wearing a t-shirt over it a tad awkward on those hips.
Nonetheless, I'm pretty sure that I have successfully completed 22 days without wearing exactly the same outfit twice. Booyah! Who says you can't make a wardrobe out of 75 pieces? Now, I'm starting not to feel so bad for those people on What Not To Wear, who lose their whole wardrobe and then only get, like, 75 pieces for the $5000 Stacey and Clinton give them. Totally sufficient. At least for a season. Or for somewhere like Louisiana where there ARE no seasons.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Becky Day 21: Working on my Day Off
Retail job again today. Then a couple weeks off, thank goodness. I know it's only, like, twice a month, but it's on my weekend day, and it's 40 minutes away. Kind of a haul.
Nonetheless, I do appreciate the discount I get there. Like this outfit, which, from head to toe (including my socks and shoes) are items from this store. I didn't even plan it that way.
Nonetheless, I do appreciate the discount I get there. Like this outfit, which, from head to toe (including my socks and shoes) are items from this store. I didn't even plan it that way.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Day 20: Lounge Wear
Some of the other minimalist clothing challenges (the 30 for 30, or 333 challenges, for example) don't include some things in your 30 articles of clothing; namely underwear, loungewear, or workout wear. This actually makes the challenge much more doable -- I mean, if I remove anything in those categories from my 75, I'm left with 46 articles, which is not so very far away from 30. The theory behind it, as described in some of the websites that set forth these challenges, is that those articles of clothing don't count as your "main outfit" for the day.
Well, today, loungewear was the vast majority of my "main outfit," so I'm glad Caroline and I tackled our article-counting system as we did.
This skirt? Made of sweat pants material. And that's totally a cami underneath, which I don't count as a "real" shirt choice -- it's a lounge shirt, for sure. I kicked around in this all day, then just threw on a sweater for modesty's sake for Mass. Perfecto!
Well, today, loungewear was the vast majority of my "main outfit," so I'm glad Caroline and I tackled our article-counting system as we did.
This skirt? Made of sweat pants material. And that's totally a cami underneath, which I don't count as a "real" shirt choice -- it's a lounge shirt, for sure. I kicked around in this all day, then just threw on a sweater for modesty's sake for Mass. Perfecto!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Day 19: Spreading the Good Word
I did another early run/dress at work. Here's the result:
Then, I got to spend the evening with some lovely ladies I know from my old school. At said dinner, I spread the gospel of the challenge, which was fun to do. It's interesting to talk about it to people, and see what they think of the number 75. Corey said she only wore that many clothes anyway...but then contemplated the pros and cons of just wearing the same pair of underwear for a week in exchange for 5 extra shirts. Good questions, these...
Starting to feel a little tired with my sweaters, but they're also starting to become kind of necessary. Vermont fall is fast closing in!
Then, I got to spend the evening with some lovely ladies I know from my old school. At said dinner, I spread the gospel of the challenge, which was fun to do. It's interesting to talk about it to people, and see what they think of the number 75. Corey said she only wore that many clothes anyway...but then contemplated the pros and cons of just wearing the same pair of underwear for a week in exchange for 5 extra shirts. Good questions, these...
Starting to feel a little tired with my sweaters, but they're also starting to become kind of necessary. Vermont fall is fast closing in!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Becky Day 18: Less Than Fresh
You might notice in my picture today that I look slightly less fresh than usual, and that the light has a different quality:
This is because today, I took my picture in the PM instead of the AM. THIS is because I got my butt out of bed and went running before work. The bike path on which I ran, however, is on the way to work...and my place of interning has a shower, so I'll be damned if I was going to waste the gas money on driving home after the run! Ergo, no morning picture.
I also was cursing my camera a minute ago because of the blurriness of this picture. Then I realized a hilarious this...every time I think a picture is blurry, I am wearing this cardigan (which, might I add, I've gotten quite a lot of mileage out of!). The striped on this sweater include a tiny mini-stripe where the yarn color changes giving the illusion of camera-shaking malfunction. But it's really just the sweater. Ha!
Still feeling good about the challenge. I've started thinking about specific pieces of clothing I plan to give away: I have a few shirts and skirts, specifically, in mind. Also, I'm totally tossing out some old t's I was saving for sewing projects. I won't ever do those. And if I do, I will go to the Salvation Army and get some t's for fabric. I'm pretty excited to do a purge when I'm done with this project, or when I get a free weekend (so, like, Thanksgiving). I've also done some thinking about some winter wear I want to get rid of, but I'm going wait until we get into the winter season, because at the moment, I cannot imagine the cold of Vermont winter and envision myself getting rid of a ton of stuff, which I may later regret when I'm freezing in our basement apartment!
This is because today, I took my picture in the PM instead of the AM. THIS is because I got my butt out of bed and went running before work. The bike path on which I ran, however, is on the way to work...and my place of interning has a shower, so I'll be damned if I was going to waste the gas money on driving home after the run! Ergo, no morning picture.
I also was cursing my camera a minute ago because of the blurriness of this picture. Then I realized a hilarious this...every time I think a picture is blurry, I am wearing this cardigan (which, might I add, I've gotten quite a lot of mileage out of!). The striped on this sweater include a tiny mini-stripe where the yarn color changes giving the illusion of camera-shaking malfunction. But it's really just the sweater. Ha!
Still feeling good about the challenge. I've started thinking about specific pieces of clothing I plan to give away: I have a few shirts and skirts, specifically, in mind. Also, I'm totally tossing out some old t's I was saving for sewing projects. I won't ever do those. And if I do, I will go to the Salvation Army and get some t's for fabric. I'm pretty excited to do a purge when I'm done with this project, or when I get a free weekend (so, like, Thanksgiving). I've also done some thinking about some winter wear I want to get rid of, but I'm going wait until we get into the winter season, because at the moment, I cannot imagine the cold of Vermont winter and envision myself getting rid of a ton of stuff, which I may later regret when I'm freezing in our basement apartment!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Caroline Day 17
Too lazy to take a picture. Deal with it.
So, today, I broke one of the rules. I bought new clothes. The band was selling really cheap leftover clothes from last year, so I bought a sweatshirt (orginally $35ish I think) for $5. Five freaking dollars. I can't pass that up. I don't even feel that guilty about it.
It's still cool here so I wore my skinny jeans for the third day in a row. I didn't feel bad about that either. How many days is it acceptable to wear jeans before you have to wash them? At least two, if not 3 or 4, I would think. Possibly more depending on the circumstances. I don't know.
I wore my skinny jeans with sneakers, which is not something I like to do. Usually I wear flats with skinny jeans, but they didn't match my super casual t-shirt and fleece sweatshirt combo. I mean, skinny jeans look good with converse and other hipster shoes. But that's too mainstream for me. So I wore mainstream tennis shoes with (formerly) hispter skinny jeans. Deal with it world.
This challenge still hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be. I'm so lazy in the mornings, it's easier having fewer clothes. Interestingly, this tendency towards being lazy has completely dismantled my attempts to be vegan. I was vegan for about 2 months. Then I cracked over the weekend. It all started with a sandwich from Jimmy Johns. Since then, I have lost all self-control. Having fewer choices in food didn't make me happy. I missed cheese and I tend to be a very emotional eater (as in, I feel an emotion, I should eat something). I don't think I realized how much of an emotional eater I was until I cracked. I'm still debating whether I want to go back to being vegan or not. It's so hard when I have so little control over what I eat at the dinning hall. But I do feel like it's the right thing to do. And I think eating vegan and eating healthier are important steps in my goal to make a better life for myself. My new mantra is "live simply". Less stuff, less clothes, more time for important stuff like friends, less stressing about school work. I'm not entirely sure how eating better is being simpler, but it seems to fit the the theme.
In regard's to Becky's post about owning a lot of stuff: I feel like being a minimalist means getting rid of the stuff that clutters your life. Personally, I love books and I feel like they add a lot to my life. So I will never be giving away all my books. That being said, I did give away a lot of books I don't like anymore over the summer. That's legit. Also, does having digital copies of things instead of physical copies count as simplifying? I figure at the very least, it's probably better. I feel less cluttered because instead of bringing all my dvd cases to school, I just brought the disks in a cd holder.
Okay, end long rant.
So, today, I broke one of the rules. I bought new clothes. The band was selling really cheap leftover clothes from last year, so I bought a sweatshirt (orginally $35ish I think) for $5. Five freaking dollars. I can't pass that up. I don't even feel that guilty about it.
It's still cool here so I wore my skinny jeans for the third day in a row. I didn't feel bad about that either. How many days is it acceptable to wear jeans before you have to wash them? At least two, if not 3 or 4, I would think. Possibly more depending on the circumstances. I don't know.
I wore my skinny jeans with sneakers, which is not something I like to do. Usually I wear flats with skinny jeans, but they didn't match my super casual t-shirt and fleece sweatshirt combo. I mean, skinny jeans look good with converse and other hipster shoes. But that's too mainstream for me. So I wore mainstream tennis shoes with (formerly) hispter skinny jeans. Deal with it world.
This challenge still hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be. I'm so lazy in the mornings, it's easier having fewer clothes. Interestingly, this tendency towards being lazy has completely dismantled my attempts to be vegan. I was vegan for about 2 months. Then I cracked over the weekend. It all started with a sandwich from Jimmy Johns. Since then, I have lost all self-control. Having fewer choices in food didn't make me happy. I missed cheese and I tend to be a very emotional eater (as in, I feel an emotion, I should eat something). I don't think I realized how much of an emotional eater I was until I cracked. I'm still debating whether I want to go back to being vegan or not. It's so hard when I have so little control over what I eat at the dinning hall. But I do feel like it's the right thing to do. And I think eating vegan and eating healthier are important steps in my goal to make a better life for myself. My new mantra is "live simply". Less stuff, less clothes, more time for important stuff like friends, less stressing about school work. I'm not entirely sure how eating better is being simpler, but it seems to fit the the theme.
In regard's to Becky's post about owning a lot of stuff: I feel like being a minimalist means getting rid of the stuff that clutters your life. Personally, I love books and I feel like they add a lot to my life. So I will never be giving away all my books. That being said, I did give away a lot of books I don't like anymore over the summer. That's legit. Also, does having digital copies of things instead of physical copies count as simplifying? I figure at the very least, it's probably better. I feel less cluttered because instead of bringing all my dvd cases to school, I just brought the disks in a cd holder.
Okay, end long rant.
Becky Day 17: Rain Rain, Go Away!
It has just been pissing rain (as they say in Ireland) all week, and it sucks. Also, as I mentioned before, the school I work in is FREEZING! Despite my cardigans, I'm still cold...may be time to break out the fleece.
It seems, to reflect Caroline, that fall has turned here in Vermont, as well. There's just enough of that nip in the air (when it's not raining) to hint that summer's over. Which is awesome, because Vermont in the fall rocks my socks.
Today:
Items worn (I realized I've forgotten to do this for a couple days):
Black work pants
Black socks
Teal peasant top
Black cardigan
Black slip-in Mary Janes
I've also been reading this blog about becoming a minimalist. This blog scares the crap out of me, and I'm not ready to take most of these steps. But I can see how what we're doing is leading up to this kind of mentality, which makes me stoked. I was thinking yesterday about the number of books Andy and I have. Like, a million:
Ok, so one of those shelves is DVDs, but the others are books, and you can't even see all of two of the shelves, which are big. I was considering what life would be like if we got rid of all the books and just went to the library. It was kinda of a sweet thought, especially when I remembered moving all those books this July (barf on my face, moving). I'm not sure I'm ready to part with them, but the fact that there is appeal to the idea is a big step forward, and something I'm thinking pretty seriously about, to some capacity.
Just one example of getting exasperated with my things, but a big one, because these particular things take up a lot of space in our home.
It seems, to reflect Caroline, that fall has turned here in Vermont, as well. There's just enough of that nip in the air (when it's not raining) to hint that summer's over. Which is awesome, because Vermont in the fall rocks my socks.
Today:
Items worn (I realized I've forgotten to do this for a couple days):
Black work pants
Black socks
Teal peasant top
Black cardigan
Black slip-in Mary Janes
I've also been reading this blog about becoming a minimalist. This blog scares the crap out of me, and I'm not ready to take most of these steps. But I can see how what we're doing is leading up to this kind of mentality, which makes me stoked. I was thinking yesterday about the number of books Andy and I have. Like, a million:
Ok, so one of those shelves is DVDs, but the others are books, and you can't even see all of two of the shelves, which are big. I was considering what life would be like if we got rid of all the books and just went to the library. It was kinda of a sweet thought, especially when I remembered moving all those books this July (barf on my face, moving). I'm not sure I'm ready to part with them, but the fact that there is appeal to the idea is a big step forward, and something I'm thinking pretty seriously about, to some capacity.
Just one example of getting exasperated with my things, but a big one, because these particular things take up a lot of space in our home.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Caroline Day 15 & 16
Hey guys. Sorry for dropping off the face of the earth for a few days. I had the football game that refused to end, recovering from said football game, and then doing homework that I didn't do earlier because of football. But no more football until Saturday, so we're good.
The picture on the left is what I wore on Monday. Except then I had to change because despite it being in the 90s on Saturday, it didn't get above 70 yesterday. So it is apparently now fall on campus. Earlier, I wondered why I had added jeans to my list; it didn't seem like it would ever cool down. Now I'm wishing I had more jeans. Oh, well. Who knows, maybe it will magically decide to become summer again. And there are only 14 days left in the challenge.
Today I'm wearing skinny jeans, blue top with white cami, white cardigan, and metallic sandals (not pictured). I tried something different with my hair today. I french braided the front half and then pulled it back into a ponytail. I like it. It may be happening more often. Maybe people will be distracted by the fact that I am wearing my cardigan half way buttoned up and did my hair differently so they won't notice that I'm wearing the same clothes all the time. But it hasn't really felt like I've been doing that.
Over the past couple weeks, I've really been trying to simplify my life. I'm also trying to find a better balance. I'm trying to convince myself that I do not need to be an overachiever or a perfectionist and I've given myself permission to get a B in one of my classes this fall (something that has only happened once, freshman year of college). I'm trying to do well on my homework, but not stress about it. I'm putting off homework to make time for more important things, like friends and hanging out. Simplifying my wardrobe and worry less about the clothes I'm wearing is just one more way that I'm trying to add to that. In a society that tells us that more is always better, I'm trying to convince myself that less is more. It's a slow process that involves many steps backwards for each step forward, but I believe it will make for a happier me in the end.
Day 16: And so the week begins
Yesterday was a relative cakewalk compared to today and tomorrow...just two long endless days in a row (Tonight is endlessly fun, because it's trivia night, preceded by Taco Bell...don't judge me! Tomorrow is endlessly less-than-fun because it's repair my car night and go to school event night. Eck.) On top of that crazy, it's the day I split between my two internship sites, which just feels like I'm cramming two days into one.
So, today we're dressing to cover the bases:
Cardigan because the high school is freezing, but since my office at the college is sweltering, we'll just discard it when I arrive this afternoon. I'll also be grabbing my jacket because rain is threatening.
If I can make it through this week, I can make it through anything. :)
So, today we're dressing to cover the bases:
Cardigan because the high school is freezing, but since my office at the college is sweltering, we'll just discard it when I arrive this afternoon. I'll also be grabbing my jacket because rain is threatening.
If I can make it through this week, I can make it through anything. :)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Day 15: Muggy City
Today, I left the house wearing this:
But it was hot and muggy, and my office is in a corner with no available windows to open, so before long my hair was up and my button-up shirt was off, leaving the outfit with just a black tee on top. Still work-appropriate, but I tried so hard to rock the stripy shirt today. It just wasn't comfortable, in the end.
We've passed the two-week mark. So far so good!
But it was hot and muggy, and my office is in a corner with no available windows to open, so before long my hair was up and my button-up shirt was off, leaving the outfit with just a black tee on top. Still work-appropriate, but I tried so hard to rock the stripy shirt today. It just wasn't comfortable, in the end.
We've passed the two-week mark. So far so good!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Day 14: Retail Job
I work a retail job. The dress code is really casual. Thank God.
Jeans are legit as long as they are jeans from this particular store. Cool. I can't really wear jeans the rest of the week, so I'm kinda stoked to be able to wear them today.
I realized this morning that while I was putting this post together, I talk a lot about how it's a "casual" day. Well, see, I live in Vermont. Here in Vermont, everything is casual. Sometimes I ask customers at my retail job, "Well, what's the dress code at your work place?" if they're looking specifically for work clothes. "Well, you know, it's Vermont," they reply, which is code for "khakis are business attire here." And it's true. In my last full-time place of employment, we had several nice awards dinners, and my truly awesome male work colleagues tended to wear suits with sandals. Yep...we're hippies here. And I kinda like it.
Jeans are legit as long as they are jeans from this particular store. Cool. I can't really wear jeans the rest of the week, so I'm kinda stoked to be able to wear them today.
I realized this morning that while I was putting this post together, I talk a lot about how it's a "casual" day. Well, see, I live in Vermont. Here in Vermont, everything is casual. Sometimes I ask customers at my retail job, "Well, what's the dress code at your work place?" if they're looking specifically for work clothes. "Well, you know, it's Vermont," they reply, which is code for "khakis are business attire here." And it's true. In my last full-time place of employment, we had several nice awards dinners, and my truly awesome male work colleagues tended to wear suits with sandals. Yep...we're hippies here. And I kinda like it.
Becky Day 13
Sorry I'm a little late on yesterday's post. It was kind of a busy day!
When I woke up yesterday, a predicted AM thunderstorm had dissipated, so Andy and I decided to go hiking, which was a bit muggy, but really nice. After that, I had to get ready or church yesterday afternoon, as I had to lector (do the readings) at Mass. Hence, slightly dressy Saturday outfit:
I know I've been recycling this sweater a lot, but the beauty is that I'm getting to wear it to different places, so hopefully the outside observers aren't catching on :)
When I woke up yesterday, a predicted AM thunderstorm had dissipated, so Andy and I decided to go hiking, which was a bit muggy, but really nice. After that, I had to get ready or church yesterday afternoon, as I had to lector (do the readings) at Mass. Hence, slightly dressy Saturday outfit:
I know I've been recycling this sweater a lot, but the beauty is that I'm getting to wear it to different places, so hopefully the outside observers aren't catching on :)
Friday, September 2, 2011
Becky Day 12: Polka!
Not the dance. The dot!
I have a complaint about the challenge. My first complaint, I think. I wish I had more underwear. Because I go to the gym in the middle of the afternoon. This leads to sweaty-ness and...yeah. I wish I had more underwear.
Other than that, the challenge is rolling right along! So far, I don't feel as if I've been too limited in my choices, and I don't think anyone's looking at me funny. Which is awesome. It also makes me think really seriously about getting rid of some clothes post-challenge. There are definitely some things I want to keep, but there are some other things I've had in my drawers for a long time, the kinds of things that often elicit the thought, "Well, I'll wear them sometime." Or "I might need that! For something!" But I don't need it. And I may or may not wear it. But I also probably won't miss it. (But I might...and there's still a little anxiety about that).
Anyhow, off to the weekend, and another laundry attempt tomorrow!
I have a complaint about the challenge. My first complaint, I think. I wish I had more underwear. Because I go to the gym in the middle of the afternoon. This leads to sweaty-ness and...yeah. I wish I had more underwear.
Other than that, the challenge is rolling right along! So far, I don't feel as if I've been too limited in my choices, and I don't think anyone's looking at me funny. Which is awesome. It also makes me think really seriously about getting rid of some clothes post-challenge. There are definitely some things I want to keep, but there are some other things I've had in my drawers for a long time, the kinds of things that often elicit the thought, "Well, I'll wear them sometime." Or "I might need that! For something!" But I don't need it. And I may or may not wear it. But I also probably won't miss it. (But I might...and there's still a little anxiety about that).
Anyhow, off to the weekend, and another laundry attempt tomorrow!
Caroline: Day 11
Pretty casual today. T-shirt, shorts, tennis shoes. It's been so hot here recently. It was in the 90s today and the same is expected for tomorrow. Unfortunately, my dorm has no a/c and band is outside. My main concern is being as cool as possible right now. I'm seriously considering sleeping in the computer lab; I'm pretty sure it's air conditioned there. And it's open 24/7. It's legit.
Tomorrow will be Hank suit day for the pep rally. I'll try to take a picture. Then Saturday is game day! Go Irish! Beat Bulls!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Becky Day 11: Feel-good Thursday
Thursday mornings are rough...it's just the day when the week starts to catch up with me. My alarm feels like it goes off 5 minutes after I've gone to bed, and I'm just exhausted. Today, I decided to make it better by treating myself to yoga this morning (just a bit of light stretching, but it feels nicer than the toning stuff I sometimes do in the AM). I also ate strawberry frosted shredded wheat, which is delectable. And I unpacked the mushy and less-than-appetizing rice and vegetable leftovers I had packed for lunch today, and repacked the fixin's for a peanut/banana English muffin. That's a much more decadent Thursday lunch, with just a smack of protein to get me through the afternoon without falling asleep on my clients!
I also decided to treat myself to looking adorable:
Items worn:
Black work pants
Teal button-up "peasant" shirt (not really peasant...but it's not really a traditional button-up, either!)
Black cardigan
Black socks
Black slip-on Mary Janes
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