Simplifying + Loving
On simplifying books + a love for cold brew. A little look behind the mic where I answer the two questions I ask every guest.
Summer is in full swing over here. After a week of adjustment where it felt like we were all a little “off,” and a week of our first summer camp where my husband and I took shifts spending our days at a coffee shop 30 mins away so Gemma could attend VBS at our old church near our previous home, this will be slower (I hope). I’m looking forward to a week of continuing some favorite summer rhythms we’ve adopted so far such as “popsicles on the porch” in which my kids eat popsicles on the porch and look cute, and I sit there and watch them and do absolutely nothing else and love it. We’re also starting our library’s summer reading program this week which is new for us, so we’re all excited.
Other summer rhythms over here look like:
-Falling into a schedule of working 3 days a week while my husband takes over the role of primary parent (he’s a teacher, so in the summer we switch roles a bit).
-Waking up before the whole house still even though we’re in summer mode. I’ve added reading as the activity that takes up the bulk of my morning routine time. I realize more than ever that I need this early wakeup to be my least-crabby, most-present self.
-Walks. Lots of walks.
-Trips to our favorite park.
What is a favorite summer rhythm of yours?
This week I thought I’d give you a little peek behind the mic. I want to do this more often. I always ask guests these questions, but I seldom share my own answers. If you’re a listener of the show, you’ll recognize the below categories as these questions I ask every guest. I’m sharing them purely for fun, and maybe you’ll relate or find something new to love, too. We’ll do this here on the newsletter at least monthly. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Something I’m Simplifying
My simplifying this week is books/ reading in general. After 2 years of saying I want to read more often, I’m forcing myself to take action on that. I’m a reader. I always have been. I read like crazy as a kid/teen. I read often in college as an English major, both for fun and for school. And I was an English teacher - constantly reading for work and also for pleasure.
I know many mothers find time to read in the midst of their days, but I have STRUGGLED ever since I was pregnant with Juna. I just feel like any time I sit down and grab my kindle or a book, children are soon climbing on me, batting the book out of my hand (the one year old loves this activity), asking for lunch, etc.
Maybe I could find boundaries for my children, or a routine in our day where I find the time to read, but what I’m deciding to do instead (because that hasn’t worked yet) is make it a priority in my morning routine.
Of course, this new routine makes me want to buy 15 new books to read in that time, but I’m also simplifying by ONLY reading what I already have. I am allowed to buy another book only when I finish reading something I already have.
I’m going to let you in on a secret, so please don’t judge me…I have abandoned SO MANY books these past two years. My kindle library is full, my book shelf is full, and I’ve really only read half or less of what I’ve bought the past two years. Most of what I have actually finished is fiction. My brain hasn’t had much capacity for non fiction.
So I’m just keeping myself accountable for wasting a little less and using what I have first.
Right now I’m reading Business Made Simple by Donald Miller | Made for This by Jennie Allen (this is more of a Bible Study) | and Loving My Actual Life by Alexandra Kuykendall. I really look forward to adding a fiction book (Happy Place by Emily Henry) to my currently reading list, but I’m not allowed til I finish one of these!Something I’m Loving
Homemade Cold Brew! I picked up a 10$ cold brew maker last time I was at Aldi, used a bag of beans from my favorite local coffee shop, and had coffee-shop-quality cold brew all week. Yes, my caffeine intake was up, but so was my happiness. I’ll be making this on repeat all summer.
This week on Minimal-ish
Episode 187: A No Spend Year, A Pantry Challenge, + Reaching Financial Goals without Hustling More with Shay Richter
We’re talking budgeting/ financial goals this week, but make it fun! I had so much fun talking to Shay about her debt free journey, and how she continues to reach financial goals as a family of four on one income.
While everyone’s financial situation is different and no tips of someone else’s will ever directly apply to our own, Shay’s journey includes a lot of sacrifice, but in a fun (ish) way through challenges that have helped her family reach goals.
Plus, the no spend challenge and pantry challenge we talk about aren’t just about financial goals, but also about contentment and curbing our consumption habits in general- so this is perfect whether you’re working towards less for financial reasons or just trying to bring less stuff into your home.
Coming up: This week, we have another edition of minimalism stories on the podcast! Tricia of Clean House with Kids on instagram will be joining me to share her story of how their family does minimalism with seven kids! Make sure your subscribed to the show on your favorite podcast listening platform so you don’t miss this Thursday’s episode - I left our conversation inspired and I know you will, too!
Sponsor Spotlight - We love our sponsors! They help make minimal-ish happen each week. Here’s the sponsor spotlight for this week!
Olive and June…Which is also something I’m absolutely loving. 20% off your first mani kit (It truly is my favorite nail polish). Get the discount at oliveandjune.com/minimalish
Nuts.com - if you love a pantry stocked with high quality, delicious snacks, nuts.com is your new go to! I love the organic dates way too much. Go to nuts.com/minimalish for free shipping and a free gift when you spend 29$ or more!
Q&A Coming!
Our quarterly Q&A is coming up, and questions of all categories are welcome. What should we talk about? If you have a question, either reply to this email or leave a comment on this post, and send it on over! I don’t get to all of them, but I do try to pick questions that cover things we haven’t talked about lately on the show!
That’s all for this week’s edition of making room (aka minimal-ish mail). If you feel inclined, I’d love to hear from you! Tell me something you’re loving or simplifying by replying to this email or replying in the comments!
Hope you’re having a great (and intentional) summer so far!
With love,
Desirae