living artfully

one little word check-in

We're nearly a quarter of the way into 2011! Where does the time go?! My one little word for the year is simplify.

 
 Studio Calico OLW challenge by Davinie Fiero

Some of my favorite ways this word is influencing me this year? The less is more philosophy has helped us to streamline a variety of things, from our purchases to our mealplans. We found a super-useful (and free!) online system for keeping track of our budget and savings goals. And we're meal planning with easier recipes, two weeks at a time. That planning time up-front equals less grocery trips, less obsessing over what to make at the last minute, and less time spent on preparing food. Love it!

We still have other changes in mind, like cleaning out our ca-raaaazy basement. And I'd love to change up our cleaning routine with simple homemade cleaners (that are hopefully more ecofriendly, too!). And of course just continuing to think about what we're bringing into the house and what we're committing to. The "simplify" approach is helping us focus on needs vs wants, and on whether something is worth our time and/or money.

How are you doing with your one little word?

one little word

Happy 2011 everyone! I hope it's been an enjoyable and restful holiday season for you. I still can't get over how fast it all flies!

I'm welcoming 2011 with open arms and looking forward to all it has to bring. This year, I'm helping to organize my goals and actions with Ali Edwards' one little word idea. I like the focus of dedicating yourself to one word or one concept; and I've found it's manageable and helpful to carry the thought throughout the year. For 2011, my word will be...
 
I'm planning to simplify in multiple areas of my life. I truly believe less = more, and I don't want to be weighed down by excess.

Creatively, it doesn't mean less scrapbooking or less blogging. But I have way more supplies than I need, so I'll be focusing on reducing my stash by buying less and making more. And I plan to give better thought to which classes I participate in, so I don't find myself bogged down or uninspired when a class really isn't the answer.

Around the home, we're planning a top to bottom clean-out, with things we don't need or use going to rummage or donation. And this will be the perfect time to reorganize drawers and closets so everything is presented in a simple and easy-to-find manner.

And as you can probably guess, we love to cook and bake. Our tendency is to make lengthy complicated dishes or go out to eat. So we're simplifying our grocery shopping and starting to menu plan. If any of you have tips on meal planning or have templates you work with, please share! There will be less dinners out and more wholesome and easy-to-prepare meals at home.

I've always been intrigued by the zen habits blog, but haven't taken enough time to truly explore. As part of my approach to simplify, I'm looking forward to spending some quality reading time there. I'm so excited for my word this year and all the ways it can help shape my actions.

I'm still thinking about how I want to display my word this year. I came across this box sign by primitives by kathy.

 

I think it may be the starting inspiration for something I make on my own. I'm also thinking of scrapping my one little word, inspired by the studio calico challenge.

And in case you need a little more word inspiration, I came across this lovely poster on Tina Aszmus' blog.



It's a free download! Can't wait to print and hang it up in my scraproom.

So what's your plan for one little word for 2011? Did you choose a word? Please share!