Port of Portland

This gets harder every year since I already do so many of these daily or one-time actions!

I'm lucky to have the space to build out gardens. We've been working on a cut flower/pollinator garden this year and just doubled our food garden with the addition of some standing raised beds made from leftover building materials. I started some cilantro. dill, and chives seeds that should thrive for a fall herb garden. 

Continuing to do the daily walk as a healing & renewal tool has been immensely beneficial this week. Our sweet kitty of 10 years was killed on Sunday, which completely devastated our whole family. While I honestly wanted to just stay inside and not really do much this week, forcing myself to get up & move outside - especially on such...

Two observations about cutting down the amount of time I have my cell phone in hand - either by leaving it on the dresser while at home, or on my desk as I walk around at work: (1) I have missed out on nothing of consequence. There are fewer crucial current events happening each hour than my feeds would suggest, and the those few that are in...

A walk is an opportunity for fresh air, movement, a time/space to clear my head & let go of any stress from work. It allows me to separate my work-self with my personal-self (in terms of where my focus may be) and process anything that I need to before I transition from work to home life (as much as that can happen these days).

The needs vs. wants approach is working great for me right now. It's easier to make happen since our travel and shopping opportunities are dramatically reduced. I'd like to keep this up through the holidays - but I know it will be increasingly harder.

I've been doing a short yoga/pilates practice of 20 minutes each day and can really feel the difference not only in my reduced stiffness and increased blood flow but also mentally. I used to feel like if I didn't put in 45 min to an hour I wouldn't get any good out of it but this daily routine is really helping my state of mind.

Way to go team!! Great to see you engaging here. Keep up the good work!!

How is creativity a necessary ingredient for practicing simplicity?: In order to stick with strictly a NEEDS vs WANTS attitude to consumerism, you have to get creative to do more with less. You also have to be constantly asking yourself the need/want question in creative ways in order to stay engaged in the exercise. I feel best when I'm...

I really enjoy how meditating gives me a clearer mind and ability to focus on what really matters to me.