xJamieJx

who i am today is not who i was yesterday and will not be the person i am tomorrow.

[xjamiejx]

day 4: simple & sweet

Today I unpacked 3 things, well technically 6...sculpting paste, 4 bobby pins, and a comb. Fairly uneventful unpacking day, but being as I only shampoo every third day, these were very useful in helping tame the day 3 hair.

After work, the little was excited I was home, asking to go outside and go swimming. Finding it unnecessary to say 'no' to her sweet little 'please,' I jumped at the opportunity to use a previously unpacked item, within minutes our suits were on and we were outside. With the last ounces of energy she could muster before nap, and the assist of her newly discovered water wings, she swam around joyfully, while I relaxed and reminded her to keep her mouth closed and to spit out the water.

May this be our summer...sweet and simple moments together, worrying about nothing but what we're doing right now.

[xjamiejx]

day 3: repacked

Woke this morning to, or rather by, my seasonal allergies. So, before my day was scheduled to begin, I unpacked the allergy pills and eye drops.

This evening I was reminded of one of the key reasons I started this packing party, when I attempted to unpack a notebook and some art supplies. I no longer have the luxury of doing what I want, when I want. I am the parent, she is the boss. I am here to make her life the best I can and I come second. This is something I've been struggling with since she was born. I have expectations for myself that may be unrealistic, but I strive to meet them, regardless. I am learning to give in and to just be with her, in any given moment. So, though unpacked, the notebook and supplies went back into the box, until I can find a moment for myself.

[xjamiejx]

day 2: necessities

I started this project on a Wednesday, obviously not planned. The necessities...a weeks worth of clothes, hygiene products, glasses, and jewelry that I wear daily (wedding ring, necklace with my grandma's ring, steel to fill my holes & a single pair of plugs).

Wednesday night, after hastily packing everything up, I unpacked a single item...my Note 8. As much as I hate to admit, when it comes to a physical item, it is my everything...communication, entertainment, memory keeper, alarm, alternate memory, finance tracker, etc.

Today I unpacked my water bottle and a hair tie, before heading out the door for work. I find it crazy to spend money on water at work, but it is something that I need to make it through my day, so the water bottle was very useful. The hair tie was useful, as well, as the July heat isn't making me want to do anything with my hair except throw it up in a messy bun and call it good enough. Later I unpacked an inexpensive pair of flip flops and my swimsuit, as I was surprised to find the hubs had put up the pool, while I was working. The little was already splashing around, so I figured why not join her. I look forward to spending many summer afternoons in that pool, relaxing, cooling off, and teaching our daughter how to swim...another useful item reintroduced.

[xjamiejx]

day 1: packing party

As the stresses of the day started to weigh on me and the things around me seemed to be caving in, I decided it was time.

I have been pairing down my belongings for a few years now. At the beginning I was hardcore about it...anything that wasn't neccessary, or that I couldn't carry with me, went (knick knacks, photos, DVDs & CDs, books & old journals, etc). As time passed I'd always accumulate more, so I'd search out new ideas on how I might bring myself to start letting go, again. I went through a few failed rounds of the 30-Day Minimalism Game, always wanting to get rid of most of the things at the beginning, then not being able to find anything come the 15th or so. I've read, I've watched, I've listened, I've let go and I've tracked, but things keep accumulating.

This evening the things became too much, maybe just too many choices I don't really want to waste my time making at this point in my life. Whatever it was, it all had to go, so I had myself a quick little nonessential personal packing party. Anything that wasn't neccessary got bagged up or boxed up. Over the next month I'll slowly reintroduce things back into my world, as they become relevant to this phase of my life.

The goal: keep the things I actually use and be done with the rest.