i bet you're making resolutions...

...so I heartily recommend reading this essay by Joshua Fields Millburn of www.theminimalists.com. <3

"The point of my resolution was to prove I didn’t need to buy stuff for a year. But I learned I could actually change myself in the process. After four months, I no longer wanted to buy stuff on impulse. The endless desire to consume was gone. It was—and still is—a phenomenal feeling." 

today's makeup kit

This is a proud day for me :)

Went out today carrying the smallest cosmetic pouch I have ever carried in my *secret* years of existence. It's actually a coin purse--souvenir from a friend who traveled in Asia.

 

Mineral face powder, mineral powder blush and one brush to use for both--aaand to still assuage my vanity a little--liquid eyeliner and tinted lip gloss. So happy to know that I don't feel less pretty or that I'm not missing out by just bringing these makeup essentials :) How awesome to let go of feeling like I have to compete in the looks department :D

How about you? What little simplify moment are you proud of today?

lesson #1: the reminder

...and so this blog began with plans but seems to be taking a while to lift off. But I try not to worry; posts will happen when they happen :)

I've been on several trips since my first entry, and I've learned a lot about making travel basics even more basic. As soon as possible, I will share my Zambales, Palawan and Tagaytay travel stories and how they've taught me to minimize, minimize, minimize.

In the meantime, let me share the first lesson this journey has reminded me:

"It's now or never" is a cliche for a reason.

Just do it. I used to tell myself to make time for tasks, errands and goals, and like most people, I'd schedule these things. I realized, though, that that never seems to work. I'd detail down to the date and time what I have to do, and then woefully find myself scrambling for more time just to make another to-do list which often includes unfinished tasks from the original one. Quite a convoluted effort, don't you think? So these days, I'm exerting effort into not jotting down a task in my planner or mobile phone. I'm trying to just do it, and do it now. So far, the results have been positive--I am slowly decluttering without regret because when I follow the leaning to clean out a certain area, I do so mindfully and meaningfully; I have also become more helpful in helping keep the house clean because I don't wait to do the dishes/sweep the floor/etc. until "i finish this one other thing". I learned that just doing it now doesn't actually take as much time as I thought it would, and I won't be wasting paper and pen just to tell myself I'm productive. I know it and feel it because I actually do things.

Just do it. doesn't take a minute and you'll be spared the brain space and time it will take if you'll have to remind yourself to do it. Granted, there are a gazillion things vying for our attention 24/7 in this information age, and there's really never enough space in one's head to remember everything; still, I'm starting to think that to-do lists are a trap. Do we really have to do something at this time? And do we have to do all of them? So far, in my experience--at work and otherwise--what's important can never wait and will always "appear" to you, reminding you that that is what you should be doing. And that is the perfect time to address it :)

What I'm realizing is this: Fill the process of accomplishing something with joy and focus, and there will always be fulfillment--whether you finish that task/project/what-have-you or not, and whether you finish it on time or not. I realize it's a competitive world and time is money, but well, who do you really want to please?