Zen Chick

Zen Chick

Slow down. Simplify. Love your life.

"There is more to life than increasing its speed. Slow down, breathe and enjoy. "

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Massage Therapy and More!
  • Archives
  • Contact

Archives for March 2012

Saying Goodbye

By Gay Barefield Leave a Comment Mar 26

Saying Goodbye

Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.  ~Lazurus Long

Don’t cry because it’s over.  Smile because it happened.  ~Theodor Seuss Geisel

It’s almost over, done and finished. In the art of ending and our continued theme of “letting go” I’m finishing up a long standing volunteer board position. How does it feel? Good, sad and it’s time.« Continue »

Spring Cleaning Your Stuff

By Gay Barefield Leave a Comment Mar 12

“Think about any attachments that are depleting your emotional reserves.

 Consider letting them go.” ~Oprah Winfrey

After last week’s post about letting go to move forward with your life, I thought I would continue with that theme of “letting go” and talk about letting go of your stuff. It’s amazing how stuck we get when we are trying to let go of not only the past but the physical things that might be attached to that past.

Case in point, a couple of my friends, who are also Zen Chick community members were upset about the subject last week. Their response, “Did you really have to write this now?” complimented with an eye roll or two.

Yes, it is hard but the more you pursue letting go the easier it becomes. So let’s keep that ball rolling by seeing what physical stuff we can get rid of too.

OUR STUFF! We become attached to it, want to buy more of it while it consumes time and space in our lives. So where do we draw the line?

For me over the years and especially after we moved into our 1000 square foot little farm house, I really started evaluating my stuff. With less closet space and less over all space (not that we moved from a huge house) I let go of a lot of things and have continued with the “letting go” process.

Here are some of the rules I live by:

  1. If you haven’t worn something in a year then it gets recycled at Goodwill or a used clothing store of your choice. 
  2. If you buy new clothes, shoes, etc. something old must leave. In another words you have to make it an even trade.
  3. Minimize the amount of stuff that is sitting out for display. I’m not a “collections person” and don’t really want a whole lot of things to dust.
  4. If there is something that you really think you have to have, don’t buy it that day. Wait a few days or weeks and see if you still “have to have it”. Also make sure that it fits into your life instead of just taking up space.
  5. Rule #2 applies to household items, something comes in, something goes out.
  6. Really get all of the “use” out of your old stuff. You don’t really have to have the latest technology, fashion or gadget. Buy a good basic model that fits your needs not the one with all of the bells and whistles.

These are my basic rules and I have found as I get older my attachment to my stuff becomes less and less. I don’t feel the need to keep boxes and boxes of stuff stored somewhere. Good memories serve me much better than boxes filled with things. 

Ask anyone who has “lightened” their lives of their stuff and they will tell you just that, they feel lighter. Wouldn’t you like to have that feeling along with adding more space and time to your life?

Start slow with one small project at a time. Maybe it’s going through your clothes closet or smaller still, clearing off your desk. Each thing you remove will allow you to feel lighter and the process will become easier with time. As with any change in your life it takes time, practice and diligence so stay focused on your task at hand.

Most important of all, you have to be gentle with yourself during this letting go process. Don’t let that little voice inside your head beat you up because you are not getting things done fast enough. 

I would love to hear your “rules about letting go of stuff” and your success stories. Together we will continue to move forward into slowing down, simplifying and living a life we truly love.

photo credit: Pete Hindle via photopin cc

Moving Forward While Looking Back

By Gay Barefield Leave a Comment Mar 5

Moving Forward While Looking Back

“Moving on is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard” – Dave Mustaine

Try this, look over your left or right shoulder while walking forward at the same time. Yes it can be done but it makes forward progress a little more difficult doesn’t it?

This is what we are doing, figuratively speaking, every day when we start and spend our days dwelling on the past. Whether it’s a past incidence, situation or a friend/family member that is estranged, we can’t move past it. Each day we are “carrying” it around and at the same time trying desperately to move forward with our lives.« Continue »

Zen Chick Tribe

Join our Zen Chick tribe and start simplifying, slowing down and enjoying the life you are living right now!
No spam here, just lots of good stuff!

Welcome to Zen Chick!

This is a place where we learn to slow down, enjoy our lives as they are right now, and simplify through reconnecting with nature and the moon. Learn more on the About Me page.

Charities

These are charities that I believe are making a difference in our world. I welcome you to check them out and please donate if one speaks to you.

World Central KitchenWorld Central KitchenI believe that food, shelter and water are basic rights for every human on this planet. Jose’ Andres’ and his WCK group step in to provide beautiful, nutritious food during disasters, the pandemic, and any other opportunity where people need to be fed.Learn More Foothills Humane SocietyFoothills Humane SocietyThis is my local shelter, in Columbus, NC, doing a wonderful job at remaining as close to 100% no kill as possible. Animals make us more human and I believe in adopting not shopping for pets, saving a life with a new beginning.Learn More Trees, Water & People Trees, Water & People Caring for Mother Earth by planting trees, helping people live sustainably and decreasing our carbon footprint are things that I see as very important for the next seven generations.Learn More Lakota Law ProjectLakota Law ProjectI have a strong kinship to Native people and this group works to change many of the injustices done to the first people that still go on today, such as the right to vote.Learn More

Popular Posts

Life Lessons From A Little Donkey Name Willow

Be a Rule Breaker and See This Year Differently.

Stop Running Toward Your Life and Start Living It.

Emotions. Don’t Judge, Just Flow.

“Don’t Fence Me In” – The Truth Of Why You NEED Boundaries In Your Life

The Invisible Force That Can Stop You From Getting What You Want.

Simple Isn’t Always Easy

The Art of “Not” Mothering

Zen Chick
Follow on
Twitter
Connect on
Facebook
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Massage Therapy and More!
  • Archives
  • Contact
Copyright © 2023 Zen Chick · (in)SPYR Theme by Genesis Developer: SPYR Media