All...or nothing.

When you want to do all the things but you also want to do nothing.

I want to do everything and nothing at the same time.

Isn’t there a song like that? Gooooodbye to youuuuu. Anyways…

I have just been feeling this. Or more so observing that this has been true for a really long time.

I want to do so many things. I want to get more serious about my work. I want to grow as a mom. I even kind of want to be the crafty mom. I want to figure out how to landscape my yard and actually enjoy yard work. I want to learn to make bread. I want to finally figure out a dang laundry system. I want to read 14 books in a month.

And then I also just want to do none of it.

I mean, don’t get me wrong. Some of those things I just listed are really important to me, and I do want to do them. But since all of these things keep floating around in my brain, shiny-object style, I just end up distracted and overwhelmed.

Tonight while I was doing the dishes, I remembered something I say so often that maybe I forget how true it is: less is more.

Maybe you, like me, would love to do it all. But let’s be honest that our capacity to do it all is kind of…nonexistent?

Maybe our capacity to do the most important things would exist a lot more readily if we stopped trying to tell ourselves to do all the things that look shiny and fun. Or all the things we feel we are “supposed to” do.

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It’s the start of summer- a season where we as a family just have a lot more free time. So it’s natural that conversations of how we will use this time are currently happening, and that has definitely prompted this “do it all or do nothing at all” impulse.

The list of what I want to do is overwhelming; it will freeze me in my tracks if I let it.

So instead, I write a different list.

What matters to me in this season?

It always comes back to that question- what matters?

After I determine the answer, I declutter.

And this time, it’s not decluttering the stuff. It’s decluttering the list in my head and the expectations I have on myself to be able to do all these things.

I’ll work with the list of what matters, and I’ll go from there to make sure my time revolves around the best stuff, then I’ll also take time to just rest and do nothing. Because more free time doesn’t mean we should fill every second of it.

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All of that to say- if you feel like you want to do everything yet also nothing, you’re not alone.

But when faced with deciding which side to choose? Maybe fall somewhere in the middle, but definitely choose less. 💗

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Practically speaking: I did a little mental declutter after that moment doing the dishes that I talked about above…

I made quick list of categories of areas I want to grow in my iphone notes app.

My categories: Motherhood/ work/ faith/ home (aka homemaking, home improvement, etc).

Based on this list of categories, I started listing books I want to read, podcasts that would facilitate that growth, things I want to learn/research, etc.

And then I went to my podcasts app and unsubscribed to shows that don’t fit.

I also will do the same with instagram accounts, but honestly am just spending less and less time on social media apps and more time consuming longer form content. I find I learn more and am less over stimulated than with watching quick reels and reading posts.

There is just so much noise. I love podcasts, I love learning new things via the internet. And I do love connecting to others via social media. But I just need less of it, and a focus on the few things that help keep me focused on what matters most in this season.

Just sharing in case you feel a little overwhelmed and like you’re trying to do alllll the things and need a tangible way to declutter that effort/pressure/feeling.

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All things Minimal-ish

Podcast episode (#186): Prompted by a photo I posted on instagram (because these comfy shorts are bringing me life) and a conversation about having clothes that fit us…

..on the latest episode, we’re talking decluttering our clothes with the second edition of a new “declutter with me” series on the podcast. If you need motivation to declutter what’s in your closet, I am here for you this week, and I’m fully ready to convince you to do it!

Featured sponsors:

I love minimal-ish sponsors because they help me keep the lights on! I also love the actual products/ services they create, or else I wouldn’t be telling you about them. Here are some recent sponsors and what I love about them.

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That’s all for this week! Come find me on Instagram where we’ve been talking about body image, clothes that fit us, and other intentional-living/minimal-ish things.

Also, quick preview: This Thursday on Minimal-ish we’ll be talking about budget challenges and getting out of debt / living with less hustle with Shay of Front Porch Finances! Make sure you’re subscribed to the show so you don’t miss it!

Have the best week!

With love,

Desirae