A Fresh Start
embracing the beauty of letting go
Letting go. Creating space. Discovering the essence of what is.
Each, a continual spiral, marking seasons of life, reflective through the peace of your home and connectedness to your being. Many women feel a pull to let go of physical things during or before life transitions, creating space for the seasons of marriage, birth + motherhood, moving and life milestones. Giving yourself the gift of a fresh start in the mundane of the everyday allows for abundance in time, energy and peace to enjoy what is most important to you in life. These are a few simple ways that I enjoy small fresh starts amidst the regular rhythms of life. May it serve as a guide for your transitions, whether just a regular Monday or a cross country move!
01 — letting go + finding balance
As someone whose spaces usually reflect my inner world, clutter has usually been a filler for that feeling of “not enough-ness.” A few months ago, we moved into a 300 square foot tiny home, so it is vital that each item serves a purpose. In our journey of tiny living, the concept of “less is more” has become our lifeline and guiding principle. Letting go of the unnecessary and making room for the essential helps infuse our homes with the peace of beauty and comfort. I like to approach paring down with the mindset of essentialism instead of minimalism — evaluating what is essential for our family to thrive and evaluating the rest. Minimalism can have an air of quantity and evoke a feeling of sterility, I like the view of essentialism because it falls in line with a mindset of abundance.
Here are a few things to let go of that I promise you won’t miss.
— mismatched socks + worn out undies
— freebies ( you know those 5k tshirts + hotel notepads )
— extra bags ( plastic and reusable )
— shoes that pinch or blister
— clothes that don’t fit or make you feel MEH
— expired pantry goods
— cleaning supplies that give you a headache
— that stack of papers living in the glove box
— expired makeup / skincare / perfume
— fridge clutter ie. vacation magnets, old photos, last months meal plan, christmas cards from 2 years ago etc. ( for the sentimental folks, keep your favorites, the best of the best! store the rest if you don’t want to toss it! )
— excess writing tools ( do we really need all 50+ pens / pencils / markers? )
If these things are still in usable condition, I recommend donating them to a local thrift store or nonprofit to be put to good use, but I guarantee you’ll feel lighter after letting these things go.
02 — function + form
Inviting things that are both beautiful AND useful is one of my favorite ways to marry a sense of balance within my home. There is an air of the masculine and feminine, yin and yang in discovering pieces that are both useful, practical and evoke a sense of beauty in their appearance. Here are a few of my favorite home goods that fill that space.
03 — enjoyment of life
Creating space in your life invites for a pondering of where your time and energy are going. Slowing down, nurturing your inner world and tending to your energy is time well spent. For me, incorporating little bits of joy into my day feels so nourishing to my soul. A few things I like to do are: catching the morning sunrise, a raw milk vanilla latte after breakfast (with raw egg yolk, grass-fed collagen + pearl powder if i’m feeling real fancy!) getting dressed for the day in something that makes me feel good but comfy (lately it’s been this organic linen set on repeat) and taking time for a mini hydrofacial or lymphatic facial massage. While my toddler plays outside in the mornings I try to take some time to journal + read, lately pairing this time with a creative tool like The Artist’s Way and Wilde House Paper’s Reset Guide.
04 — natural cleaning products
The body is in constant response to our environment, both emotional and energetic, and the presence of toxins in our surroundings can significantly impact the delicate balance, influencing everything from physical well-being to mental clarity. A reverence for biology and nature extends to the products brought into our homes, making simple cleaners, a conscious choice that supports the health of our families and supports maintaining a safe and nurturing home environment. I love making my own cleaners from everyday things like fresh herbs, citrus peels, vinegar and baking soda but like to have a few things on hand for bigger tasks. Recently, Koala Eco’s products have been a favorite for tougher jobs, for the simplicity of their ingredients and family oriented values. We don’t have a dishwasher in the tiny house so having a gentle dish soap that is natural + effective has been vital.
Get $10 off Koala Eco products.
CITRUS VINEGAR
I like to use this for cleaning the sink + shower, and to spritz on kitchen towels to remove any musty scent.
— 8 oz spray bottle
— 6 oz vinegar
— peels from 2-3 citrus fruits
Let infuse for a week or two at room temperature and strain the citrus. Use as a cleaner or to refresh linens.
In the simplicity of moments — She found herself.
