Over and Out

 

 It has come to my attention that my days of purchasing
 everything that has anything to do with any one of my assorted passions
(e.g. dishware, doll houses, scottie dogs, L. M. Montgomery)

are OVER.

 

Now don't get me wrong...this does not mean that I don't on occasion find treasures to bring home, it's just that I make a conscious decision as to their true "treasure worthiness" prior to purchase. This is fantastic in my book because it makes me feel really good about #1 on my new
Cottage Quest list.....to stop buying stuff!

 

Of course this means it's time to seriously start considering #2....
 declutter the stuff you have.

Let it be said this may take awhile. A long while. Even so I am proud to say progress is definitely in the works. Daily progress in fact. No matter what craziness is on the agenda I have made it a standing habit to send at least one of something OUT THE DOOR before my head hits the pillow. And most recently my means of disposal has branched beyond the trash, the donations, and the Craig's list offerings to...

 

 

THIS OLDE STUFF!

 

This just so happens to be a long time favorite haunt of mine. Only this time instead of browsing the rows...

 



 

I'm stocking them!!!

 

 

Next...

 

 Leo Babauta...that's what's next, is right now, and  has been for the past four months!

 I stumbled upon his blog last spring and soon after acquired one of his books. I loved reading his take on simplifying. Whether your looking to declutter your house, your schedule, your mind or your entire life, he's got some great suggestions about where to start and how to stay motivated. 

 

I was so inspired by his words of wisdom....

 

 

 ...that I soon after purchased several more of his books. I know, I know not exactly a progressive step in the simplification process on my part. But then neither were those endless to-do lists I created in relation to my cottage quest endeavor. That's not to say the seeds of a more minimalist mentality had not been planted however.

 

 

I'm fairly certain they were planted. Planted quite firmly in fact and that they merely needed a nudge to sprout. Thanks to last week's pillow progress they did. 

 

 

So what happened after I threw out all those lists?

I made a new list. But, not before I fully embraced these words from Leo.

 

Simplify your list down to the barest of

essentials, and you can eliminate the need

for complex planning systems.

 

Easier said than done that's for sure but after several days of contemplation on what was essential and multiple edits of the list it now looks something like this.

 

 

PROJECT COTTAGE QUEST

 

1.stop buying stuff

2.declutter the stuff you have

3.pare down paperwork

4.refresh the house one room at a time

5.develop an upkeep routine

 

Now to stick to it...