As I begin the June part of the LIFE project, I’ll summarize what happened in May, but if you want to scroll down to June free to do so. If you don’t want to read, the video above summarizes the month.
A summary of the month of May:
Read Living Well, Spending Less –
This was a good book on getting ideas for finances and for decluttering. This book was useful but I actually ended up knowing a lot of the information already, from reading other similar books. It ended up being more about the author’s journey to a more simple life herself, which was interesting to read, but for me I was looking more for tips and tricks on decluttering, and I ended up finding them in various sites online.
Analyzed bills –
I’m working on getting my grocery bill much smaller and cooking from scratch. I have done some research online about how cooking from scratch, and utilizing stores other than your regular grocery store, can be really helpful in slashing your grocery bill. I am working on doing that, for multiple reasons.
First, you just have that much more disposable income, it allows you to save more money for more important things (granted, food is really actually very important for day-to-day living), but it allows you to have more adventures with your eating and you try things that you might not ever try.
For example, I bought cauliflower and kale on sale, both organic, and for the first time ever made a frittata with those ingredients. It was one of the best dishes I’ve made in a long time!
Decluttering –
As I started the decluttering process, I didn’t have a lot of time at the beginning of May to really work on this every day, so I admit I took the hands off approach for the first couple of weeks.
In fact, I did this the sort of lazy way. I started with laundry piled in a basket of everything that I had worn for two weeks, which then led me to see which clothes I wore most often.
The pile of clothes I had worn over over the first couple of weeks in May.
At the end of the two weeks, I went through and took all those clothes out and set them aside knowing that I would most likely keep them, then I went through my closet and took out all the clothes that I hadn’t worn in a while.
After that, I did the same with my dresser drawers.
Some clothes did go into the trash because they had paint all over them or they were just worn out.
Paring down the clothes in the closet…
And you know, I also went through the laundry basket of clothes that I had set aside, and there were still a few that I ended up getting rid of because they either weren’t flattering or they were in tip top shape, or they ended up looking a little shabby.
In fact, as I went through this process, I was really surprised at the amount of clothes that I never wore anymore.
There were also clothes that I barely wore that I’ve had for years and years. Still, there were garments that I had that I hoped to wear sometime, or that I had hoped that I would find something else to eventually wear with them.
For example I had a old fish-hook sweater that reminded me of my younger days where I looked a little more hippie and I loved to wear it with long flowing skirts.
These days in my life I don’t wear long flowing skirts as much, partly because of my occupation, and partly because they’re a little less practical in terms of being able to walk and hike and bike everywhere.
There was a crocheted sweater that someone had given me a long time ago – it was more like a duster, and I never felt like I would be able to give that away because it was special to me. In the end, I decided that I never wore it because it didn’t really match anything I had.
I decided to part with it.
Getting closer…these were items I still wore but if they had holes, stains, or imperfections, they didnt make the cut.
Still had about 65 items here…
For other clothes, I found a bin where I could put specialty clothes that I need sometimes, but don’t necessarily need in the closet.
For example, I have a wrinkle resistant suit that I can wear to formal functions or interviews.
It seemed silly to get rid of something that fit but that I only wear every once in a while out of necessity.
After all that, I got everything else down to about 31 items.
These included: T-shirts, button up shirts, pants, shorts, skirts.
This doesn’t include a couple pairs of sports shorts and tops, socks, undergarments, the specialty items I mentioned like a ski jacket or clothes I use to paint in, or things like hiking or mountain biking clothes that have wicking fabric.
This also didn’t include pajamas (though I went through and pared those down). I still went through old socks, robes, jackets, and more, just to pare all that down, too.
You see that I have a small closet. I didn’t think I had a lot of clothes. My goodness, I did!
Before the month of May I had already gone through my shoes and gotten rid of pairs that didn’t really work anymore or had holes, etc.
Everything that didn’t have to be thrown away went to charity (which, I didn’t end up throwing away much – but some things you can’t even give away).
I ended up with two big garden trash bags of clothes.
What I was left with were all the things I wore normally – and they all matched – because I tend to like the same colors.
Two large garden trash bags to donate…
There is a lot of space in the closet now. Ahhh.
Can I just tell you how “freeing” all this was?
How easy it is to just look in the closet and easily pick something out?
It’s LIBERATING!
When I decided to just “let go,” it was easy to get past the emotional attachment and pare down. It helped to have a cheerleader (like my husband) tell me, “Nope! Get rid of it!”
I did. Over and over.
I feel like I have made not only physical room in my life but more mental room, too!
Journaling
I continued to journal each day, often writing more than 250 words.
I still did 60 minutes of meditation, daily mantras, and recited daily affirmations.
Steps
There were a couple days where I didn’t reach 10,000 steps, but instead I either worked in the garden, or did other exercise such as mountain biking.
At the beginning of the month you can see the photo doesn’t show any steps, I’m not sure why. I use my phone as a backup counter, and the first two days of May show over, well over, 10,000 steps.
I don’t always keep my phone with me, which is why it doesn’t always show all the steps I take…
Publication
For the month of May, I compiled and launched my Tree of Life coloring book.
I had planned on starting a visionary fiction book, but what I didn’t realize about the coloring book, is how much time it would take to compile and get it ready for publication. I focused on that and not starting another book just yet.
During the month of June, I was supposed to begin editing this would-be visionary fiction book.
However, though I have many ideas of what I would like to do, I’m actually feeling called to create a mindfulness journal, as a companion to the Tree of Life coloring book.
So, for now, I’m going to hold off on the visionary fiction, while I concentrate on creating more giveaways for this website, and work on the mindfulness journal.
I’m slated to still complete five books for the LIFE project, though. Much fun and rewarding work ahead!
The month of June: detox and design –
For the month of June I’m slated to do the following:
- read The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris
- drink a gallon of water a day
- prepare for marathon walk
- look into new vegetarian recipes
- get eight hours of sleep each day
- edit my book
- not watch the news on television
- continue with 60 minutes of meditation, journal writing, affirmations, and 10,000 steps per day
Conversations with God
First, let me talk about the book.
When I originally looked at reading The Four Hour workweek, I did so because other major bloggers have talked about the virtues of this book.
However, my library didn’t have this book available, I thought I’d buy it from Amazon.
However, when I looked at the reviews, I saw quite a few that didn’t really appreciate the book.
It was mostly because people felt like there was a lot of fluff, or that there were things that would be really extremely difficult to attain for a “normal” person.
In several reviews, I saw folks recommend “The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People” by Stephen Covey. I decided I was going to read that….
…Until I spoke with Sue dreamwalker on her blog, and she suggested a book called, “Conversations with God,” by Neil Walsch.
Its about a man who was struggling, wrote an angry letter to God, who then “answers his questions.”
I’ve already started reading, and whatever your walk of life, this book is pretty powerful, in that it can be used as a guide for those seeking answers, or at least philosophical responses for life’s greatest questions.
Though the author talks to “God,” I could see where a person could also use the term Great Spirit, or Universe, or Source, or even Energy.
If anyone would like to participate in a book discussion about this book, I will be on the Intuitive and Spiritual Facebook page on Monday evening from 9 PM to 10 PM EST.
Drinking a gallon of water a day
Next, I have started drinking 1 gallon of water every day.
For the month of June, this has replaced my morning tea, and my evening glass of wine, as well.
With so much water, I’m not really missing either the tea, or the wine, actually.
I don’t really feel the difference in caffeine, or lack thereof, and so far I’ve been enjoying grape juice with dinner.
I tell you, that stuff is underrated. It’s really good!
I would have thought that I would have ended up in the bathroom a lot more (teehee), but because I am also getting 10,000 steps per day in my routine, I’m finding that I’m not spending that much more time in the restroom – ha!
There are articles out there on the web where folks are doing a 30 day challenge of drinking a gallon of water each day, and their main complaint is how much time they spend in the bathroom. Fortunately for me, this is not the case.
10,000 Steps…and NO marathon!
Speaking of walking, I’ve continued to do 10,000 steps per day, unless I’m doing another activity that lasts between one and a half and two hours.
But, I was supposed to start marathon training towards the end of May.
I need to change this intention.
I was finding that I was feeling stressed about all the projects I was juggling.
In addition to this LIFE project, I am having to make some decisions with work (I will do an announcement about this more formally in July, but for now let’s just say that my career is going in a different direction).
I’m also trying to work on my website.
Thinking about walking 15-20 miles on a Saturday, when I’m usually working on blog posts as time permits, was making me feel stressed as to how I was going to fit everything in.
I will still do a walking marathon, as it is an intention that I will realize.
However, I’m either going to move it to the end of this project, or I will complete it when I find a walking marathon that I can sensibly do.
I found that several folks were interested in doing a walking marathon with me – and I’m eternally grateful to those people – but then I thought if this got bigger, I would be planning a marathon while trying to train for it, and possibly having to work with the city of Asheville, North Carolina, and pull permits, and meet with the fire department, and possibly the police department, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, and…and….
In doing research for this, I found that this can actually become a full-time job.
While that’s all good and well, I honestly do not have the time to plan an actual marathon, while training for one, while completing this project, and figuring out my work situation.
On getting eight hours of sleep…
For the eight hours of sleep part, my intention is to try to get eight hours of sleep each night or enough that I feel well-rested.
This is one of those intentions that I actually try to do normally, but I wanted to make it a little more formal.
In addition, I don’t really watch the news per se, however, I will often watch when my husband has it on in the background.
I’ll find myself getting frustrated, and sad at the affairs of the world, and thought a mental detox might be nice, as well as a physical one.
On social media, I can read the headlines so that I can stay abreast of what’s going on in the world, but I’m intentionally spending less time reading all those articles – just for this month.
As a side note…
Being now 1/6th of the way through this journey, I just wanted to share some interesting little things that are happening.
First, I’m noticing that I’m getting into really good shape.
Even though I’m not running, or jogging, I live in a mountainous area and I’m getting a lot of exercise with doing 10,000 steps per day by walking up and down lots of hills.
I’m noticing that clothes fit more loosely, that I have more energy, and that it’s much easier to be contemplative, and mindful, in my day-to-day activities.
Along with the publication of this coloring book, my life is becoming defined by intention and action, which I can tell you, is changing everything.
Honestly, I think everyone should take on their own intention project.
It gets you to do the things that you always wanted to do.
Aw, so much good so far since you first started, especially over the month of May. I also went through my own clothes a few weeks ago now, as well. I donated two big bags of clothes that I had been hesitant to rid myself of, but that since having my girls I haven’r really worn for one reason or another. The worst of them go trashed, but the majority I donated, too. Made me feel good to finally purge, but also to pass onto to someone who may be able to still use these items. Hugs and hoping your week ahead is an awesome one now just like you, my friend xoxo <3
Sweet Janine, thank you so much for your response. I’m so proud of you for decluttering your own clothes, too. That’s so funny that you also donated two big bags of clothes, and its powerful when you decide to push past your hesitation and just go for it. Me too, I trashed the worst of mine, and yes, it felt really really good. You know how much I appreciate you, and I’m sending you big hugs, and I hope your week ahead is as awesome as you are, my friend. Thank you, again.
My Lil Sis is energetic to the max, and making her big brother look bad in the process. We have de-cluttered, so I’m okay there. And we have our bills down, so that’s okay….but drink a gallon of water per day????? Not going to happen, young lady. Go tell Ma I refuse. 🙂
Hugs on this sunny Monday!
Haha, Big Bro. YOU are energetic to the max – it takes one to know one, hehe. You with your umpteen novels and farmer’s markets, and raising animals and being a dad. Whoa! You’re amazing yourself! And, hahaha…the gallon of water per day – YES! It’s not so bad at all. 😀 I *double-dog dare you” to try – just for one day. *giggle* It would be funny to see your status updates on what you’re thinking. 😀 Hugs to you on this (rainy here) Monday. Hehe. Thank you always for your awesomeness. 🙂
Lots of good projects and intentions Cynthia. Kudos on your intentions and action to support them. Conversations with God was a good book series. blessings, Brad
Hey there, Brad! Thank you. 🙂 Intention + action – this is the secret sauce, I’m finding out. Hehe. And, you read Conversations with God? Did you read them all? Just curious. 🙂 Thanks for your comments and insights. Blessings to you!
I love your not watching the news idea and after the last 2 weeks in the UK I feel like switching off too. Hubby bought me a Fitbit for Christmas and it’s been a Godsend for me – already a very active walker; I now get to see how many steps I do each day. At present, most days I do between 11,000 and 30,000 depending on how busy I am, whether I’m at work or not, weather etc, etc. I think your 10,000 in a hilly area is pretty good going – I walk along our coastline but it’s pretty flat so more steps is easier. I’ve organised a 20k walk along the coast and back on 24th June – 21 of us signed up so far! We are raising money for MacMillan Cancer support as 2 of our colleagues have been diagnosed this year. Congrats on your clothes clearout too – I had to do it last year because I had lost 3 stones in weight – a good reason for sure!
Julie! So awesome to see you! These last two weeks have been crazy-hectic in the world. *sigh* I *love* my MoreFit (kind of like a Fitbit knockoff) – it really motivates me to get my 10K steps. But you have between 11K and 30K in ONE day!? Okay, it’s not unusual for me to get 15K in a day, but 30K!? That’s nearly a half-marathon!! But yeah, I live at the top of a hill and it’s fairly steep, so even just going on a short walk still involves at least 1500 steps up and down that hill. 🙂 Coastline walking – that’s so wonderful. You’ve organized a walk! Oh, I must talk to you when I try to organize the walking marathon I want to do. And clearing out my clothes – oh, yes – it’s pretty wonderful, isn’t it? I just love the ease of finding clothes to wear. 🙂 Three stones – that’s great! Thank you so much for coming by!
HI Cynthia:
Freedom comes in many forms, living in a cluttered life and unhealthy living will do nothing more than hold you back from living to your full potential.
Your journey rings true of so many things in life that make us unhealthy in mind, body and inner spirit. Listening to that still quiet voice as it speaks to you of anything acting as an anchor holding you back is key.
Caring for our basic needs is relevant in all our lives, having an over abundance of anything is not. We have so much become a consumers being inundated through advertising developing a need for more and more. It is a vicious cycle and something that will soon own you as you so rightly point out.
Hugs from Canada
Rolly – I like the way you think! Your incredible story and adventures have made you so wise and you walk your talk. This is what I respect most about you. Mind, body, spirit – all three operating optimally makes for a truly special life and enlightened existence. Indeed, caring for those basic needs is certainly important and yes an overabundance – I really like the way you said that. I’ve long since thought that since when folks have “so much” (like a 10-bedroom house for two people), I always want to gently say, “you know, a bit of simplicity might do you some good.” Haha. Using a more passive phrase like “overabundance isn’t good for anyone or anything” is great! I’ll use that. 🙂 Having your possessions not “own” you is so, so important. I figured that out with clothes (not the decluttering part, per se) awhile ago: I discovered that I felt much more apt to do more things in clothes bought at a secondhand store, than at a regular retail store. Getting a $5 shirt muddy is no problem. I’d want to avoid it with a $45 shirt. lol. In any case, thank you for your words of wisdom. Sending you (sub)tropical hugs. Haha.
I think I read the first few books (three?). There might be more!
Brad – nice! I have no idea how many there are, but that’s great. And fun to know. 🙂
It’s both lovely and inspiring to see your progress on your Life Project, Cynthia.
Will head soon to your March post to catch up from the beginning of your journey.
Have a peaceful evening. Love, Maria
Maria – aww, thank you! So far, so good with the June project stuff. And thank you so much for your kind words. The March post outlines the project, but it’s a wee bit long. Hehe. This adventure has made me a bit verbose with the posts. 😀
I hope you have a peaceful evening, too. I’m just loving your comments and sweet words and sending you so many hugs!
Each time I watch your video’s Cynthia, and see the determination you have in simplifying your life, yet enriching it at the same time.. I am so Sooooo, impressed by your Spirit my friend.. So many points here And what can I say, when you took a suggestion I made about the Conversation with God book series I see also Brad has read them.. 🙂 And because you mentioned it again, I picked up the first one again only the other evening and started to re- read it again..
I think this must be the third time now I have read them.. And each time I do, I find another gem within them that speaks ever louder to my Inner BEing..
I so admire you for clearing out your wardrobe as you have done.. And trimming down your closet like that..
I have to confess.. I have some clothes, like a cardigan I made which has seen better days, but its a favourite of mine I just love to feel cosy in.. 🙂
But I do have a new rule now.. If I have not worn it in a year, or feel the need that I will ever ware it.. I put towards the Charity bag.. What I do is put them in a plastic bin liner in the spare room for a while. lol.. ( yes a habit of mine and a life lesson is in LETTING GO! ) lol Then if I still have not needed it.. off it goes to the charity.. But it gives me a cooling off period, as sometimes I have changed my mind. LOL.. See you are steps ahead of me in this.. hehe.. 🙂
But since retiring I have not felt the need of buying new clothes.. Which helps.. 🙂
Walking is something I love to do.. That and gardening, connecting to the earth.. Water to drink, I still need to drink more.. 🙂
So loved reading and listening to you again dear Cynthia.. and thank you so much for sending healing energies out to Irene.. So grateful to you..
Lots of LOVE your way.. <3 Big Hugs Sue xxx <3
Sweet Sue – hehe, those videos. The life of a Cynthia Sageleaf. 😉 Yes…simplifying and enriching – this! THIS! My spirit says, “I must simplify and live the life I intend to live, RIGHT NOW!” *giggle* I’m also grateful for “patience” because I’m inviting more of THAT into my life. 😀
I LOVED your suggestion about Conversations with God – that book is pretty awesome. I’m loving it so – there are many little gems and things to think about. I’ve already learned some stuff about gratitude and energy – I’m only about 50 pages in so far, but I intend to read for a chunk of time this week. And, hehe, that’s awesome that you’ve picked it up again. *smile* I love that. And your BEing is BEAUTIFUL!
Clearing out the wardrobe – that was an adventure, and a fun one! I’m appreciating the space, the clothes I love get more use, and “detaching” from the other stuff has created a feeling of wanting to “detach” from other things: paper clutter, but even other things like books, and mental things, too – detaching from certain thoughts. This whole thing I’m doing is…just so incredible – not because I specifically because I’m the one doing it, but what the sages of the ages have always related to us to pay attention to: to not get bogged down with material things, treat your body like a temple, spend time in contemplation, live more simply. It’s pretty profound…I dunno. I’m just so euphoric about this journey and it’s so, so awesome the people I’m meeting (at least online for the moment), the ideas I’m getting, the way I feel, the way I feel the spirit…Ah…I’m probably rambling here, but it’s just all so empowering, too. I feel like I can conquer any mountain. <-- That, hopefully, bodes well for the coming months. Haha. I love your new rule: one year for not wearing something and then donate. One thing I didn't cover too much in the post itself was how I had given away a crochet duster my mom got for me when I was only 12! I've kept it all these years, but in all that time, I think I wore it 5 times. Not because I didn't love it, but because I LOVED IT SO MUCH that I never wanted to wear it and mess it up. But then it was also so long and impractical for my more sporty life - always walking or hiking or biking - that I decided to give it away. But, I'd been trying to decide that for YEARS. I always said that if I decluttered, I wouldn't be able to do it. So, it became a symbolic thing for me: it was almost like the one thing holding me back from decluttering. I always just wanted to keep that. But, I knew if I did, it would set in motion other things and the appreciation of not being attached to too many things. I didn't know you were retired. You are so young at heart! This is one of the things I just love about you - all the amazing things you do! Oh, I *intend* to make it over to the UK sometime and have a nice, long walk with you and chat about all these wonderful things! And gardening. I would so love to see that garden and plots of yours in person. As for drinking water, it'll be fun to talk about that toward the end of the month. That has also been a fun experiment. 🙂 Thank you for all your sweet words. I've been thinking so much of Irene. I have come to love her jewelry posts and I am, in this moment, taking deep breaths and thinking, *healing* - I do hope she gets well and that we'll hear an update soon. Lots of love back to you. Let that big heart of yours just SHINE! <3
I’m so soooooo proud of you keeping yourself accountable throughout the year with all these goals and posting your progress here. It’s inspiring! I loved that book, “Conversations with God” so much. It was the first time I actually started getting really interested in knowing more about God – it’s not like they taught much interesting stuff like that at school. So glad to hear you enjoyed it too! I’m excited because tomorrow I’m going to the night shelter in our area to drop off 4 x full bags of clothes for the homeless. I feel sick when I think of how many clothes we never wore or kept at the back of our cupboards that we forgot about, that people could be using now in winter to keep warm. You inspired me a little to really get a move on and do it! After months of not much exercise, I’m getting back into my home workout YouTube workouts, which is helping and choosing classes at the gym like Zumba and Pound to help ignite that love of fitness I used to have. Hope you’re having a fantastic Wednesday. Almost, almost!! xxx
Melanie – and I’m so proud of YOU for having the courage to set your reservations aside and just go for it! I love, love, love what you’re doing with your site and your goals! That book, Conversations with God, is pretty remarkable! I’m about 60 pages in and I keep thinking I want to hop on FB and have a discussion on my FB page with it. Ah, well, time. But I’m going to do that, soon. 😀 I keep thinking that the answers in the book could apply in any belief system: that no matter who you are or where you come from, whether you’re Buddhist, Atheist, Christian, Muslim or any other path, these words of wisdom can be interpreted as a good way to lead an awesome life. 🙂 And no, they don’t teach nearly ANYTHING I talk about here in school.
And you have 4 bags to take! Good for you! It’s so fun and freeing to do and you’re helping people at the same time. I hope my clothes really went to help a lot of folks in need. And yeah…how many clothes just sat there in my closet? Ayiiee! I don’t have a big closet to begin with, either. lol. I love having gobs of space in there, now, and choosing clothes in the morning is a breeze. I’m working on slowly replacing all my shirts with purple ones. 😀
And I know how much you love exercise. I am loving getting all these steps in and I’m about to go to a yoga class with some colleagues. Don’t worry: you’ll get to a high level of fitness in no time! You have what it takes. So glad to see you here. So glad to see your wonderful smile and light! Sending you big hugs and hope your Wednesday is going well, too! <3 xo
I am so so loving your enthusiasm and excitement right now.. reminds me so much of ME when I was so into everything and All things Spiritual way back in the beginning, I just couldn’t soak up or digest enough as I read and explored everything..
So My smile is hugely wide, as I FEEL your ENERGY.. Keep it flowing.. for that is what you are within.. The energy flow of joy, and the joy of the moment of SEEING things from a different perspective..
When we truly open our hearts to this way of BEing.. we Wake up to just how SIMPLE life really is, and How complicated and off track we have become..
Love and Huge Hugs your way Cynthia.. Sending Blessings, and I am bless for knowing you.. 🙂
I also this week picked up again the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho …. Another great Author upon my Book shelves.. 🙂
Much Love.. Sue xx
Sue – I’m so loving you smiling over there! <3 Hehe, I kind of am into everything. I've even looked at Tarot - in terms of energy and how accurate it is when you meditate beforehand, but that's a whole other thing...haha. I'm having that "problem" right now - I just want to take it all in! I've even got Spirit Science on in the background. 😀
Oh and I feel your energy, too. I just am so grateful to you: you have touched my life more than you know. Your energy and love have encouraged me and I just can't tell you enough how much I appreciate your light. Life...can be so simple. And complicated and off track...ayayay...that, too. Love and hugs to you, too. Sending you blessings and thoughts of light and healing - I am aware of what's going on over in London and Manchester and I'm thinking of all my UK friends.
I LOVE the book The Alchemist. I read it in Spanish the first time; I haven't read it in English, yet. But I want to revisit it. Thank you for the suggestion.
Much love to you, too. <3 <3 <3