1.22.2010

Learning to Simplify


Well, I am half way through this and I have been learning a lot. The biggest change I have been feeling is to simplify so that is what I have been trying to do, although it is taking a bit longer than I had hoped. I always keep my home free of clutter, but that does not mean my garage does not store home goods for my one day home. Well, I am getting rid of all the "things" I have stored up. If I have no use for it right now then its out. I also cleared out about half of my closet. If I have not worn it in the last 6 months then it is gone, even if I still loved it. I did the same with my kiddos clothes. I still have to go through the toys and the laundry room. All in all I am feeling if the Lord is telling me it is okay to have a nice home that looks good and its okay to dress nicely, but I don't need the excess in order to do so.

All this leads me to this great book that was recommended to me by a friend. I have not been able to put it down. Leah Richardson not only has a beautiful eye for design, but really focuses on making it God centered. It is definitely speaking to me right now.

A big thank you from Donna of Livi & B for the Beautiful Blogger Award. Her blog is fabulous, be sure to check it out.

33 comments:

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Sounds like a great book and something that I would enjoy reading. Thanks for letting me know about it.

I'm in the same boat- trying to simplify!

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies said...

I had never heard about that book. It sounds wonderful. Thanks for posting about it!

JJ said...

I've been wanting this book! Maybe once I get back to the states :) Hope the last half of prayer and fasting is even better.

Staley Mc said...

That book sounds like a good read. I love the picture on the cover, that dining room is lovely

Melissa said...

The cover of that book is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Maria Johns said...

Oh, paula I love this, must check it out! Im continually convicted to simplify my life and home

Smitten Design said...

Paula, you are the purveyor of so many wonderful things. I am excited you shared Leah's work- I'm going to go read it now. Have a great weekend.

Living It At Home said...

Looks like an interesting book. I too have accumulated to many things. I am trying hard to get it all out! Thank you for getting back to me about your blog layout. I really appreciate it.

~jamilyn

PS~Erin said...

Thanks for the book recommendation! It's going on my wish list now. Sounds like a great one.

Sunny Jones said...

oh Paual! That is such a hard thing to do isn't it? I always make my mom clean my closet out, bc then I have no clue what's missing & it looks so tidy! Good luck with it

Courtney said...

That looks like a beautiful book. I've had simplifying on the mind too. Now I'm even more inspired to go through and let go of some of the excess. Enjoy your weekend!

Michelle Parks McCourt said...

I like the idea of this book and I too have been working towards a more simple life. have a great weekend.

deliciously organized said...

I just looked the book up, it looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing. I'm having a really hard time purging clothes I never wear anymore...I'm not sure why it's so hard?

Full House said...

It is so amazing that when you simplify like that how your brain clears as well. I bet once you are done it will feel so good. I still have to let go of quite a bit of stuff. I would love to read that book now especially knowing it is God centered.

Have a great weekend!

xx - Christina

wideopenspaces said...

i have a couple copies of this book, one waiting for a giveaway. definitely inspiring, and i keep looking at her neutral interiors and thinking of you : )

Donna said...

I need to check this book out! I haven't heard of it before but it sounds like something I will love!

Ms. Bright said...

I can't believe I've never heard of this. I must check it out. Sounds like something I definitely NEED right now. Thank you for sharing!!

Char said...

I need to make another slice through my clothes - I did it when I moved last year but I think I need to do it again.

Allison said...

This sounds like and awesome book! I don't know if I've heard of another design book with this type focus. I hate to judge a book by it's cover, but this one is beautiful!

vanessa said...

Wow thanks for the book rec. One of the biggest things a friend and I struggled with while in design school was how meaningless design sometimes seems. I'm going to grab a copy for her.

Karen said...

Wow, I have to check out this book!

Christi said...

so true and sounds like a great book.


here is my biggest struggle. we live in an apartment so the storage space isn't huge. we have a storage unit so we don't go crazy but i just hate paying for that thing!! {i mean, we could buy new whatever is in there when we needed it.}

so here's my question: what do you do with christmas decorations? i pared them down to ONLY what i USED this year and it's still 6 boxes! HA

any insight?

Tara said...

Thanks for sharing this book, this is exactly what I need to read right now. We are renovating and our family Verse is Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" so this will be perfect.

Rachel said...

With a baby on the way, this may be just the thing JonRoss and I need. Hmmm.

yvonne said...

I can't wait to find a copy of this book. I'm all about simplifying these days! Have a great weekend!

Leah Richardson said...

My heart overflows with thanksgiving for your post about Interior Wisdom. So thankful it blessed you!
I am doing the closet thing too...sending clothes to Haiti. God bless you.

Unknown said...

Simplifying is always a good thing!! I have quite a bit of simplifying and donating to do myself!

Dayka Robinson said...

This was a great post, thanks for sharing. I try to get rid of old things as I bring new things in as well.

Susie (So Blessed) said...

Love this post...and can't wait to get that book. From looking at her webpage and watching the video, Leah's life and testimony is very inspirational.

Thanks for sharing this.

Sarah said...

Hey Paula,
These books look great!
And I just passed a blog award your way!
Sarah

Haven and Home said...

Simplifying is my goal this year, we can help each other. I have to get this book, it looks right up my alley.

FEDERICA said...

Sounds like a great book Paula, thanks for sharing.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Hugs
Federica