The fire was blazing in the fireplace. The lamps were lamping. The socks were on my feet and I was cozied up in my oversized chair ready to write when I realized DNS records are my enemy, Convert Kit (now “Kit”) hates me, and Everly was insistent that she wanted tiny braids all over her head.
I love that child deeply, but turning her extremely fine hair into 35 braids is one of my least favorite things to do. My hands get tired, my perfectionism gets ticked when I can’t get each piece equal, and the rubber bands pop my fingers over and over as I finish one tiny braid after the next.
DNS records are fixed. Hair is braided. Fire is still crackling.
Breathe.
Okay. January 1, 2025.
The day started with a hair-shy-of-5 mile run through the trails of Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park. Here I was proclaiming one of my 2025 List items was to complete a half marathon trail run with Kyle all the while having never run more than 12 seconds on a trail.
“Do you notice you’re having to flail your arms more while running through the trails than on the road?” Kyle asked.
“Do you ask that because you just witnessed me flailing arms?” I responded after I had flailed my arms quite significantly to keep from rolling down a portion of the red rock.
Let’s just say, out of the thousands of miles I’ve run over the past 2 years, this one was my favorite. What better way to start 2025?
Believe it or not, occasionally I refrain from posting certain blog posts on facebook; reason being: 1) to avoid overwhelming the platform with my ramblings, 2) to appear sane in those moments when writing feels like my drug of choice (as I enjoy the particular feeling that comes along with it), and 3) every now and then being an open book feels vulnerable. So…if you follow me on facebook, but aren’t signed up to receive all of my blogs in your lovely little email inbox, there are some things you may have missed. I’ll give a brief summary. If you would like to, sign up you can use this link: https://heybrookefuller.kit.com/2b857a69e4
Anyway, back to what you might have missed. I’m setting myself up for a you’re-probably-going-to-fail type of challenge, but thought it might be worth a try!
A SMOS/US Ban!! This is what’s unfolding in an effort to pursue less in 2025. Less clutter. Less stuff. Less chaos. Less! What’s my SMOS/US Ban, you ask? It’s a one year Spending Money on Stupid/Unnecessary Stuff Ban!
To begin I started with some decluttering. My last post explained in detail about the 382 items I gave away/trashed this past week. That’s not one of my typical exaggerations, that’s the actual number of items I escorted out my front door.
If you would like to know all the specific parameters of the SMOS/US Ban and which items I chunks, click here!
Last thing. In sharing my new challenge with my sister-in-law who is about as pared down as anyone, she told me about the 27 Fling Boogie. What is the 27 Fling Boogie you ask? Apparently some blogger/declutter-er who goes by FlyLady coined this. Years ago, she learned that moving nine items in your home can create a different flow of energy. She thought if nine was good, doing three times nine would be even better. I will say that I think this is a fantastic idea, but I’m glad I learned about this after my massive purge of stuff or I might have stopped at 27. However, now that a lot of junk is gone, I may start implementing the 27 Fling Boogie. Just figured I’d share as I know I’m not the only one who goes into the new year trying to simplify life! So if you’d like the daily (or weekly – not sure yet) updates on the challenge, be sure to sign up so you miss not a single one!
All that to say. 2025. Less spending. Less stuff.
January 1, 2025 Reflection
$ Spent on SMOS/US: $0
Things Purged from My Home This Week: 382 Items
Something I Considered Breaking the Ban for, but Didn’t: My daughter’s basketball coach’s wife is working on her massage therapy clinical hours. $40 1-hour full body massage? Someone call Bailey Thrash and sign up for that ASAP!!
Gratitude: The fireplace. “The Eighty.” Phineas’ cute little face and his impeccable teeny top knot. My boys, Butler nephews, brother, and husband who loaded me down with firewood this evening. If anyone wants stillness, come sit by my fire. Just show up anytime. We can talk or sit in silence. Your call!