living small

I love this AT post about learning to live with less! It's so refreshing and inspiring. Last year I downsized from a two level luxury loft to my current small, but character-filled studio and it's been great. Sure, sometimes I miss the luxury of the last place, but my studio has charm and warmth and I'm happy in it (I'll be even happier when my landlord gets around to replacing my disgusting bathroom floor! but I digress...). The rent is HALF the price which makes a big difference while I'm paying off school debt and the move forced me to downsize my wardrobe and my belongings which I'm always open to. I always feel lighter with less. Life feels less cluttered and complicated when you get rid of the unneccessary stuff. Just learning how to discern between what is really special to you and what is just 'stuff' taking up space and money and energy in your life is a really great feeling.

This year is about learing to live even 'smaller' so that I can actually live a 'bigger and better' life (the kind of life that includes attaining my dreams, being able to travel more, etc). I've finally started budgeting and keeping track of money stuff (to the joyous delight of my mother I'm sure). It's amazing how much less you spend, how much more you save, and how much faster you pay off debt when you get organized. I can't believe how many personal financial accomplishments I've made in three weeks already! GREAT feeling. I have a lot of dreams and lot of desires of how I want my next 5 years to look and my 'learning to live with less' plan is going to get me there. (Hint: I'm reading this book - sounds cheesy, but it's SO good and has been SO helpful at getting me started).

I'll also be living with less once the snow melts and I can finally get at my new community garden plot - yipeee! The plan is to grow my own produce in such a way that I'll be able to live without purchasing much produce for a year at a grocery store - living locally! This will be the summer that I learn how to preserve food :)

Anyway, all that to say that you should read this AT post. It's encouraging to see so many people taking the step to live on less and hearing about how much happier the change makes them.