OOOoooohhhhhh boy.
It’s kind of how I feel about it all. Really. Because we all knew this post was coming. Are you ready? Deep breath. Diving in.
The holidays have ended. The craziness has subsided. And for now, it just felt good to corral all the toys, and throw out our crispy, brown tree and pack away the ornaments. Quieting our home is what we needed first, more than anything. Time to rest, and time to be productive with other things when we weren’t visiting family. But we knew it was time, just like we do every year, to begin.
This year, we’re taking it a little slower.
We were looking back at the things that have changed in the last few years since we began this series. This is our fourth {I think?!} year. {I’m sorry. Can we just stop for a moment? What?!} And we’ve approached it a little differently every year to help walk our readers {and ourselves} back through it. We’ve also had a lot of evolving thoughts on this entire process over time.
Someone asked me, a few months ago how I handled being a Lifestyle/home blogger/creative person, and still wrote about the process of purging/living with less. I think I stumbled through my answer a bit, because I wasn’t sure how to explain it as well as I can now. It’s as simple as this, with two things: 1. The process of simplifying is different for everyone. 2. Life is all about cycles, not perfection 3. {bonus!} We sure as heck haven’t got it all figured out.
We are not extremists. We are simply two people raising a family, who realize that we live in a world where mindless consumption is the norm. But we are a lifestyle website… not a minimalist one. Annd… are ya ready for it? We also have a studio where we create things for the home and {gasp!} sell them. We are actually totally under qualified to write about this. Or maybe not.
What we do know, is this: The process of creating a home is multi-faceted. We believe it’s all about the intentional home. It’s also important that your home reflects you, thus the creative part. It’s still okay to have things and like things. But simplifying doesn’t happen overnight. It happens with a gradual lifestyle change. We believe it’s about making real, genuine choices for our family. So, from our perspective, it has always been about one’s personal approaches.
Purging first, and ending in an intentional home with great systems to keep it that way.
Everyone’s situation is different, every year.
When we first began this series, I didn’t even know what it would be about. My first official post was all, “Um, okay guys. Now lets wash our chandelier crystals in the dishwasher. Wheeee!” And you guys were all, I’m out of here, she’s a moron. I think one person even told me as much when I was informed that said crystals had lead in them and I was slowly murdering our family. Touché. Winning.
I was coming out of survival mode where our kids were no longer babies, and I wasn’t even sure how to handle all of the things. And then it hit me. It was time to purge and live with less, first. The rest… the great systems and ideas and the creative stuff… would come later. I had been striving for organization at first, when what I really needed to focus on was the purge. They could basically make their own horror movie about me and the process. I just wasn’t sure where to begin.
Fast forward to 2016: We’re in a different place, even this year. And we find ourselves looking at it now, wavering from the sensible, do-it-as-you-cans to BURN. ALL. THE. THINGS. Before we start our moving process. You know, when we finally start it. In a way, I feel like I’ve been holding out a little on it all since my entire life feels a bit stuck in a holding pattern. And I didn’t stay on top of it as well as I should have this past year. Between homeschooling {I’m buried in curriculum and I’m going to die}, starting our online studio {hello packaging and inventory} and house showings {I’ve just absolutely lost my sanity- hide all the things} there’s been a good bit of reverting with it all, if I’m being completely honest.
But I think that’s what makes this entire process interesting. As much as we would like to be minimalists and live on the swiss alps in a makeshift tiny-home-made-from-a-storage-unit setup, that’s just not us. We are the do-what-you-can, as you can people.
And we’ve learned a lot along the way in the past few years, with changing our thinking.
We’ve had so many processes, and so much information, we’re taking a different look at it all this year.
This year, I guess you could say we’re simplifying our posts on simplifying.
What?
So, if you’re at the beginning of this, we do encourage you to go back to our series, and read through some of it- the topics that appeal to you. But our approach this year, is going to be revamping some of those thoughts from the beginning, middle and a little bit of new, as well. Our very favorites. While we may not be on the same schedule, and since it’s pretty much impossible to be in the same place, we hope that when you stop through here we can share some of our favorite thoughts in our latests post regarding all things systems and simplification.
Because sometimes, all you need is a little inspiration. And honest humor. I mean, if we can’t laugh at ourselves, what do we have?
No souls. That’s what.
Because this is honestly how I feel right now, every time we have a showing. I’m going to lose my ever-loving mind.
Refresh if it’s not loading. I laugh until I cry.
No matter where you are in the process, to glean some inspiration as you tackle it on your own level.
So with the new year before us, and all the possibilities… we can’t wait to keep diving in with you, keeping it fresh and real and writing all about it here. Especially as we begin one of the craziest phases of our life. We know you’re going through your own out there, and we can’t wait to hear from you.
Who’s with us?
Erin @ thh says
I am! I’m in desperate need of some simplifying and scaling back but I’m working totally on my own (husband has two jobs and no time) and have no idea how or when to start. I blame pregnancy nesting 50%, and the other half is justly own personal crazy because I seriously can’t function when things are cluttered up.
ashley @ the handmade home says
I get it Erin. When we started, I was on my own, as Jamin worked a job that consumed most of his time. It got tricky and took some motivation on my part. Hurray for nesting! I still get nesting even though I’m definitely not preggers! So excited for you and your new addition. You’ve got this!
Amanda says
I *love* that clip! I laughed so hard because (1) I do that and (2) my mom did that to an extent when I was growing up. I sent it to my husband and he totally didn’t get it.
On another note, we moved ALL.THE.THINGS. when we moved into our new house (there were a few months where we were installing trim and a kitchen instead of packing and decluttering) and one of my biggest goals of 2016 is to clean out the stuff we don’t use (that’s currently living in lots of moving boxes in the basement). I hate thinking that we have all of that stuff just sitting there when it could be sold or donated (really, I just want it out of my house). Now I just need a plan to go through it all (eek).
ashley @ the handmade home says
That video – That’s the story of my life. In my childhood, and now. I literally flip out because I’m so high strung and stressed out about these FLIPPING house showings. {Cue hysterical cry face emoij}
I told Jamin today it’s time to start all this, I guess. We’re in a delicate place with showing our home and purging, because once you start… it’s like an avalanche. But it must be done. We keep picking up things and saying how much it will cost to move. HAHAHA! Anyway, we’ve got this! Thinking of you!
Sarah P. says
TOTALLY get this – I’m not quite where you are yet, but we have been TRYING to buy a foreclosure closer to our families since OCTOBER. The loan is taking forever, we’ve had a million setbacks and meanwhile…the holidays. I need to pack, I need to stage our current home, but I am stuck. I packed up about a million knick knacks and framed pictures, and now the boxes just sit mocking me. Good luck to you – I will be eagerly following all the developments 2016 brings to your family!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Jamin and I have talked about how this has literally been the most unpleasant experience of our lives. Which I guess, if we step back and take a chill pill, really isn’t so bad. HA! Thank you so much for your sweet words. Thinking of you and your sweet family as you also make the transition!
Amanda says
I am totally in! You don’t know how desperately my home and my life needs simplifying. I get excited at the beginning of the new year thinking “I can do all the things!” and quickly get overwhelmed trying to do it all that it fizzles out and a few months later I’m worse for wear. I am so looking forward to this series. I have followed each of the Lazy Gals Guides and have loved them all.
ashley @ the handmade home says
I totally get it, Amanda! I am with you! So excited to know you’re with us – sometimes we drag these out for a while to keep everyone going and we’re all, is this thing on???? HA! Thinking of you as you embark on your 2016! You’ve got this. Let’s do it.
Whitney Shortt says
Oh my gosh that video is hilarious!!
Amanda says
I am SO with you! My house is in desperate need of some purging and organization and I’ve been on a “get rid of ALL THE THINGS” kick lately – my husband is the hoarder in our relationship so I’m driving him crazy!
Tina says
With you!
chloe | Boxwood Avenue says
You continue to make me laugh! hahah SAVE ALL THE THINGS – I am like “THROW IT ALL AWAY” and then I see my husband dumpster diving for a frame he thinks we need. I love your take on the cycles of purifying. This is great – and that video. LOL’ing so hard! Happy New Year!
Kari says
Ok let’s rewind here. Your pantry looks like that AND you have kids!!!??? I am totally crushing on that pantry. Please come to Chicago and organize me.
ashley @ the handmade home says
HA! You’re too sweet Kari. We certainly have to work to keep it that way, but you’d be surprised at how much the little containers and shelves actually help! ;}
Nicole says
I love your organizational style, it looks so clean and classy. For your kitchen pantry, do you remember where you purchased your large sugar/flour canisters? Thanks for all the pictures you take, your home is georgeous!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much Nichole! If you’re talking about those big canisters, they are from world market. If it helps, we have the original post here + sources in full detail for the pantry here. ;}
Nicole says
Thank you for the links! I’m new to your blog and am really enjoying the inspiration!