About seven years ago I lived in a small 2 bedroom house on a busy street named Somerville. It was a little tan house with dark brown trim. There was nothing fancy about the place. It didn’t have a garage, or a second bathroom, or a fireplace, but it had a quaint porch. It was an extension of my living room. My dad bought me a wooden rocking chair from the Cracker Barrel. One morning I went out to sit in my chair, and nearly busted my tailbone. It had been thieved in the night. Some low-life had crept upon my porch in the dark and stolen my rocker. I felt violated. And my dad bought me another second one. He said he hopes whoever stole it gets a splinter in their butt when they rock in it.
I had my sister’s porch swing hanging from the edge with a garland of sunflowers twisted around the chains. I had a few plants, a decorative flag that hung from a pillar, it was an inviting place. I sat on that porch every evening, every Saturday, every Sunday, watched the cars drive past, and waved at people I knew. And some I didn’t. Friends and family would come and sit with me. We’d swing or rock and visit. It holds good memories, even if I did get my rocker stolen.
Also in that house there was a small pantry. Just two doors that opened up with narrow little shelves. Inside those doors I hung my “pantry emails”. The emails that touched me. The ones that really made an impact. The ones I wanted to read. And read again.
I began blogging in November of 2008. I really do not remember why I started blogging, except for needing a place to write my thoughts and stories down. My very first blog post was a copy of a “pantry email” entitled Great Advice. I reread it today, and decided to camp awhile on advice number four.
Say No to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
In my journey to the Land of Less is More, I want to unclutter not only my surroundings, but also my time. After reflecting on how I am spending my time, I found some places to say No.
To my house I say No! No to the pointless cleaning that only dirties itself up again.
To the book I am reading, I say No! You are mediocre, and not worth my time. I hope you turn out well.
To the barking dog next door I say No! Although you are not a project, my mental health is on the line here. You. Will. Stop. Barking. Although I cannot state how as it may be used against me in a court of law.
And to my sister Jolea, my exercise partner, my FIRM buddy, I must say No. No to the workouts. No to the jumps and the squats. I am 2 workouts behind schedule. I don’t want to do it. And it is making me fatter.
By this I mean the exercise, not the box of 24 packages of Rolos I’ve eaten since Christmas.
Angel Wheeler 