Simplicity. I could use a lot of words to describe my focus for this year, but I think that might be the best way to sum things up. At the start of 2016 Josiah and I decided we were tired of all of our stuff. We cleared out all the clutter in our apartment which amounted to four garbage bags full of clothes and another five garbage bags just full of things. Not everything we threw out would be considered "junk." In fact, a lot of it was good stuff. I probably would have made my thrifty grandmother shake her head. She believes in keeping everything, which for her totally works. She feels connection to the items she allows to live in her house, but for me, the things that were taking up space in our apartment were not making me happy. They honestly stressed me out. I believe 100% in William Morris' saying, " Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful," and a lot of our stuff wasn't useful or pretty to us. It was just there. So we cleaned it out and oh the freedom that we have felt!
That concept of simplifying has overflowed into nearly every facet of my life. When I go shopping now I don't feel as tempted to splurge on items unless I am truly confident they will stand the test of time. I absolutely love Target, but I had found myself falling into the cycle of buying an item, obsessing over it, getting sick of it, and then throwing it away (within like a two month time period.) There has been so much money wasted from our budget on the $1/$3 section because HELLOO IT'S ONLY $1 (....$30 later.)
I have gotten on board with the capsule wardrobe concept as well. It feels nice to feel like I am utilizing every single item I own instead of feeling guilty for holding onto that sweater that doesn't even fit anymore. Less is truly the new more.
The blog has also seen some changes as a result of my new found love for minimalism. I've simplified the color scheme and am hoping to have future posts all be centered around this concept. First up, this insanely simple recipe to use as a side, a snack, or even a main course if you're cool with solely eating vegetables. This recipe seriously takes 15 minutes and calls for 5 ingredients. Recipes don't come much simpler than that.
ROASTED BROCCOLI + HONEY MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE
- Half of a head of broccoli
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Cut the broccoli into bite-size pieces and then place on baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil onto the broccoli and then toss to fully coat the broccoli. Sprinkle the sea salt onto the broccoli. Place the broccoli in the oven for 10 minutes. While the broccoli is baking combine the honey and dijon mustard to form the dipping sauce. Remove the broccoli from the oven and enjoy.
Have you ever contemplated clearing things out of your house and simplifying? Have you ever actually done it? Have any minimalist tricks/tips? Share your thoughts, I would love to hear them!
