This website is 15 months old. As fast as time passes, I think it’s important to reflect on what’s happened.
While I don’t advocate living in the past, I think it’s important to take a look at the last year. See what events or people have shaped your life, learn from your success and failure, and be better because of it.
With that explanation and because I promised you an update, I present…
A year in the life 2010-2011
Project 333.Last year I announced my desire to dress with less. I invited you to join my experiment and dress with 33 items or less for 3 months including clothing, accessories, shoes and jewelry. Project 333 became more than a minimalist fashion experiment. It became a website, a news story, and for me and many others, it became a lifestyle.
The Chia Chronicles. After reading Fuel Your Run the Tarahumara Way by Matt Frazier, I announced that I would cook my way through each recipe, sort of like the Julie and Julia Project, but without a time restraint. I reviewed a few recipes and learned more about chia seeds. Because the project has no deadline, I am happy to report it is still in progress and hope to have a new review for you this Fall.
My Make-up Obsession. I don’t like to talk about this much, but you should know, I used to own too much make-up. I didn’t wear too much, just owned too much. I had this thing about make-up counters and high end cosmetics. I’ve cut back, way back. I don’t have a picture of my newly improved make-up drawer, but will share one this week on Twitter.
The Starbucks Experiment. In May, I confessed that I spent $225 in one month at Starbucks, and promised to use that money to make a difference. Even though some of you thought the post was a paid promotion for Starbucks, I promise you, it was not. Instead, it was my way of giving the money I gave to Starbucks, to people in need. I made and have since distributed more than 50 paper bags filled with snacks, juice and $3.00. I gave the bags away from my car when I drove by anyone with a sign asking for help. I walked around parks with friends handing them out, and left bags by people sleeping on the ground with everything they owned. I had reactions like, “Is this really all for me?” to “When are you coming back here” and even a few tears and “God Bless You”s. While this project did not change the plight of the homeless, it did change me. I’ll be making more bags this month.
My Book. I wrote and released an ebook this year called “Simple Ways to be More with Less”. It is still available for purchase and if you would like to sell it on your website, I offer an affiliate program.
Adventures in Running. Once again, I tried to become a runner. My knees and hips screamed no! I listened. Instead, I’ve been walking, hiking, cycling and doing yoga. I may turn to running again someday, but for now, more gentle activities are better for my body. Luckily, I did not invest in running shoes or other equipment.
Fighting MS. I asked for your help and you responded by donating money to Team TLC. My husband is flying out this week to ride 100km with my sister-in law and Team TLC to fight MS. Thank you for your kind notes, prayers and generous donations. It’s not to late to donate if you are interested.
For the love of dog. Guinness, our family dog, had a very successful surgery in late May on his right rear leg. He was almost ready, after 2 months of very limited leash walking to get the backyard to himself again, when his left leg gave into the pressure of the rehabilitation. This Thursday he’ll have the same surgery on his other leg, and I’ll be sleeping on the couch again. By 2012 he will be running in snow and hiking on his favorite trails.
Next year, I am thinking about participating in Ali Edward’s special project, A Week in the Life. It looks like a beautiful way to document the real goodness in our day to day lives.
As you can see, I like to experiment. I’m not a tinkerer of stuff but definitely an experimenter of less in life. Usually those experiments, like the ones mentioned above + killing tv, and traveling lightly become part of my lifestyle.
What’s next? I can’t predict the future, but I can tell you that I’ll be letting you know about some exciting new projects and big changes. (really soon)
Thank you for being a part of my life and experiments. You are the people, the friends that have shaped my life for the past 15 months and I am grateful that we are in this together.
