It’s not that I don’t have flair or that I’m too lazy to decorate (although to be fair, there is likely some of that going on). I have found that a clear, clutter-free desk space makes it easier for me to focus and get my work done. I’ve had slightly cluttered desks in the past, and I’ve slowly cut back on what I keep on it’s surface or the wall above it.

Some of my coworkers comment that my desk is sparse – it looks like I just got there. One of my coworkers has gone so far as to start decorating my space himself. Two of the three pictures hung up are courtesy of him, and I have to say, he’s done a great job so far.

I feel more relaxed when I sit or stand at my desk and the space is clear of distractions. No papers strewn about. No notes stuck to everything. No trinkets to stare at or organize or dust or listen to them rattle.

It’s peaceful.

So far at every company I have worked for there has been at least one person whose desk makes me anxious to look at. One such office was full of 20 plus years of papers, food wrappers, books, and who knows what else. It drove me crazy just to walk past it.

I vowed to myself I would never be that person.

Every night before I leave work I clean my desk. It takes me less than a minute to put away my pen and notebook. While my computer shuts down I sort through anything else my desk has collected and recycle what I don’t need. I take my dishes to the kitchen from my afternoon snack or my tea.

When I return in the morning it’s serene and ready for the day.

I love the library.

When I was little my mom would take me to the library frequently. I remember walking the stacks in the children’s section and climbing on top of the stools to see the shelves that were taller than me. One of my earliest memories is of pulling books out of those shelves.

We went so often that I could remember exactly what books we had read and I could instantly recognize when a book was new. I would pull out huge stacks of books, often waist-high on me. We would shove them in a tote bag (which was my limit, anything that didn’t fit had to wait until next time. It wasn’t a small bag – a true sign I was loved). As soon as we were home I would giddily ask to read them all. At once. No stopping.

And as soon as we were done I would ask to go back.

More than twenty years later, I still feel the same. I get the same butterflies and excitement to walk the shelves. I still fill my arms with more books than is reasonable for a single person. It makes me happy to see all of the books waiting for someone to come along and pick them up.

My recent haul

But I get a lot more out of the library than joy. It always blows my mind how few people frequently use the library. You know they let you take books, for free, as long as you promise to bring them back, right? It’s the best!

Borrowing books from the public library (and rarely, friends) keeps my shelves clear and prevents me from spending a fortune on books. It always takes away the guilt of reading. Reading shouldn’t be a guilty pleasure. Just a pleasure.

I’ve never regretted checking a book out of the library instead of buying it. It lowers the risk, which means I will often try books I never would have paid money for. I can check books out again and again if I really feel like rereading them, which sometimes I do.

I have an e-reader, but I really only use it when carrying around books isn’t practical, like when I’m traveling.

There is something to be said for the weight of a book in your hand, the feel of the paper on your fingertips, the smell of a fresh binding or years collecting that perfect old-book scent.

I paid a dollar to get my library card back in the ’90s. It was one of the best dollars I’ve ever spent.

*Yes, I am aware that this was not an actual ode.

I’m getting down to the stuff where it’s harder to let go. I’m not satisfied yet, but it’s a challenge to get rid of what’s left. All of the obvious things are gone. The clothes that don’t fit, the random stuff in the corner of the closet I didn’t know I had, the papers piled about. Now I’m left with the shirt I like, but probably don’t wear enough. The books I want to read, and yet somehow never pick up. The things people recently gave me that I feel guilty about getting rid of.

I read blog posts about decluttering and stalk reddit threads with before and after pictures. I constantly encourage my friends and family to get rid of things and to not buy things they don’t really need.

But I’m still not quite satisfied.

This is where we stayed in Madrid. I liked how open and decluttered it was. I’m trying to get my home to feel the same.

And to be honest, I’m slightly annoyed with all of the bloggers and people who have decluttered and cut back who say that you just know when enough is enough. Part of me thinks I haven’t cleaned out enough stuff, that I would like to have fewer things still. But a voice in the back of my mind questions if I will ever be satisfied.

Do I want to live in a stark room with hardly any things? Would I be happier if I removed 10 more pieces from my dresser? I really don’t know. I’m so caught up in my cycle of decluttering.

I’m also aware that it’s an odd thing to worry about, but at the same time, I want to see the finish line. I want to be able to say “this is it,” and stop constantly racking my brain for another item to get rid of. I want to go home and enjoy the space I have, not dig through it to find one more thing to remove.

But every time I think of stopping, I realize I’m not there yet. The excess items weigh on my mind, and I haven’t yet found my balance. There are days where I envy the people who can live out of a backpack for months on end, and others where I think I’m almost down to my essentials and the things that add value and happiness to my life.

Perhaps I need to stop reading blog posts. Or maybe I need to set aside a day and do one final, harsh cut. Or maybe I need some space from my stuff. Or perhaps I’m really just over-thinking it and I’ll just know when I’m done.

Most of us claim we want to slow down. We want to take our time. We want to enjoy our coffee in the morning and not chug it like we’re doing keg stands.

And yet we never do it. We walk even faster to get to the office a few minutes sooner. We rush through conversations with our friends and family so we can move on to the next thing. We microwave frozen meals so we can sit in front of the TV while we scroll Instagram.

I’m just as guilty as the rest. I walk like I’m training for the speed walking olympic team. Always. I get annoyed when slow people drive in front of me. I’m addicted to crossing things off my to-do list – the faster the better.

Taking it slow is worth it.

When I was traveling it seemed like time stretched on forever. Only part of that was from the weird hours I was keeping thanks to the jet lag. I savored each moment. I strolled. I took the time to look around and absorb what I was seeing. My to do list for each day went something like this: eat a delicious breakfast, sit and sip on a cafe con leche, walk around for a bit, eat a delicious lunch, sit and sip on some sangria, walk around and see some things, eat again, sit and read or talk or do whatever else seems relaxing, go to bed.

Nothing was rushed. Nothing needed to be done. I was there for the experience, and I never stressed about making it to one place or another by a certain time (if anything, it was a struggle to make it to dinner late enough).

I’m still working on not rushing in my every day life. There is a time and a place for it, don’t get me wrong. There are occasions at work where time is of the essence – no diddle–daddling allowed. But that doesn’t mean every moment needs to be rushed – the whole day lost in a haze of running. I don’t have to speed through my workout or hurry through dinner.

My weekends are typically one long race toward finishing an unrealistic to-do list. Do I need to wash the baseboards, go to five different places, do all of the laundry, and finish up everything I didn’t get to that week? Definitely not.

Instead, I have been trying to not think of what I’m doing next. If I’m reading, that’s all I’m thinking about. I don’t constantly line up activities or tasks. I take the time to sit and just be. This weekend I moseyed about the farmer’s market, savored every sip of a mocha (with whipped cream!), and sat in a coffee shop to write and just be.

And time stretched on. The day wasn’t a blur or an exercise of endurance.

I enjoyed it. I relaxed.

The weekends are getting easier. I still struggle to sit back and not stress over traffic. Work isn’t exactly a leisurely experience. Dinners still aren’t slowed down as much as they probably should be. Too many things are likely added to my to-do list every day.

But it’s a start.

Over the years I have been slowly discovering new blogs on minimalism and hoarding them. Instead of randomly sharing thoughts here and there about some of the blogs I followed, I decided it was time a for a full list of the minimalist blogs I currently read.

Alastair Humphrey
King of the microadventure, Alastair’s blog is never lacking inspiration for going an an adventure of any size. He’s helped me rethink what traveling means to me and what is possible given the time I have. Fair warning, I do get jealous of how easy it is for him to travel to different countries and environments from his home outside of London.

Becoming Minimalist
Joshua Becker’s blog was one of the first minimalist blogs I followed. He writes honestly and explains things simply. It just makes sense when he says it. I’ve read Simplify and I enjoyed that just as much as his blog. I especially look forward to his Sunday recommendations of inspiring reads.

Blonde on a Budget
I’ve played around with shopping bans in the past, and I’ve become even more aware of my spending habits after reading about Cait’s saving and budget strategies. She writes about her now two-year long shopping ban, simplifying her life, and my guilty pleasure, what she’s getting rid of. Don’t skip out on her new forum. People have started amazing conversations!

Break the Twitch
“Break the Twitch is about intentional living in the digital age.” Anthony mixes his vlogs with writing and personal stories. He’s so damn honest and earnest. He writes about cutting back so he can travel more, how he and his wife approach minimalism, and the “twitches” that we do without thinking that greatly impact our lives.

Exile Lifestyle
Where in the world is Colin Wright? Colin got rid of most of his possessions so he could travel and write full time. He frequently travels to a new country and lives for a month or so before moving on. I am drawn to his blog not so much because I want to be a digital nomad, but more because I enjoy hearing about his life and how it juxtaposes with mine. This is less a travel blog and more musings on life.

Minimal Millennial
This is one of the few spots where I hear “millennial” and I don’t cringe. One of the more recent blogs to my collection, Emily shares her own, refreshing take on what it means to simplify and live the life you want.

Minimalist Baker
Delicious recipes. Few ingredients. Simple instructions. I’m hooked.

Reading My Tea Leaves
Erin and her husband live in a small apartment in New York. I’m hooked on her Life in a Tiny Apartment tips. She often says all of the things I don’t usually tell strangers (like that I’m obsessed with constantly cutting back and unconventional storage.

The Minimalists
These men started it all for me. They were the first on this list. I don’t really remember when I stumbled across their blog… I do remember I stopped what I was doing and read it for hours. Multiple. Their book Everything That Remains is one of the top books I recommend to people who are interested in exploring what it means to live with less.

Zen Habits
Leo Babauta has come up around here a few times. I especially enjoy his content on creating habits and his personal experiments.

Zero Waste Home
I’ve written about Bea Johnson and her book quite a bit. She doesn’t update her blog frequently, but I especially enjoy her small, second hand capsule wardrobe posts and her tips for zero waste living.

Want more on minimalism? Check out my list of 10 books on minimalism.

Last night I lay awake thinking about all of the decisions I had to make. Should I hire a running coach? Do I want to jump into another big trip? What do I really want in a gym? Should I return that shirt? What am I going to wear the rest of the week?

It dawned on me that I was starting to stress myself out. Over mostly trivial things that have been weighing on my mind for days or weeks.

And I’m not the only one. A recent article in The Guardian decried the amount of choice we face daily. From 28 different ketchups on the grocery store shelf to retirement plans, there are too many options. We frequently end up paralyzed, and when we do make a decision, we are much less satisfied with it than if we had hardly any choice at all according to the article.

I’m a fan of “keeping my options open” and “seeing what’s out there,” but at some point there are too many things out there.

I wonder how much time we spend in the grocery store staring at ketchup trying to just choose one. Or which gas station to go to. What to have for lunch. What to read next. Or what we really want.

Decision fatigue is real. From a self-designed uniform to President Obama not choosing what he wears or eats, we are willing to go to extremes to try to avoid it. I constantly joke at work that I suffer from decision fatigue in the afternoons, but it’s painfully true.

So how am I going to fix it? Stop overthinking things. Sometimes a decision is better than no decision. I am also going to make a conscious effort to not re-assess my decisions. Once it’s made, it’s done. Mornings when no one else is in the office is when I do my best thinking and decision making. I’m fresh and ready to go, which means I need to take advantage of this time to make big decisions, not to decide what I want to eat or what I should read next. I have also been cutting the clutter out of my life so I’m not sorting through clothes that don’t fit when I’m trying to decide what to wear. Or food I don’t like or isn’t good for me.

Every choice I can cut out is one less thing to stress about and one more decision I have brain power for later.

I recently moved into a place with hardwood floors. When I rolled up with my car full of my stuff, the house was dirty. I don’t mean lightly dusty, I mean clean-the-floor-three-times-before-the mop-comes-away-clean dirty. I made hardwood floor cleaner to make the task easier, and it was so great I ended up using it for everything from washing my walls to taking the residue from a sticker off a window.

Hello magic cleaner.

I used so much of it that I had to run out and buy more ingredients the first day.

The recipe is simple, inexpensive, and safe for real wood floors and every other surface that can be mopped or whipped.

Homemade hardwood floor cleaner recipe

1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
1 cup rubbing alcohol
2-3 drops castile or dish soap
5 drops of essential oil (optional)

Pour all of your ingredients into a spray bottle (or two if they are small), give it a gentle shake to incorporate, and have at it.

For best results, wet a microfiber cloth or mop head with hot water and wring out until it’s just damp. Lightly spray the floor every few feet to keep the mop moist and moving easily. A little goes a long way.

Looking for other great uses? Windows, counters, fridges, coffee tables, stubborn stickers… you can use it for just about anything. The only thing I don’t recommend is showering with it (or accidentally breathing it in deeply).

I spent weeks figuring out what to pack for my two week trip to Spain in a carry on. I had bought a great backpack that I knew fit all of the requirements for carry on luggage (even the crazy rules for Ryanair), and some packing cubes. About a week before my trip I had a comprehensive list of everything that I thought I would like to bring, and I had been slowly crossing things off it. Too bad that when I packed the weekend before my trip, the list was safely in my desk at work. The good news, I didn’t forget anything.

For 15 days in Spain, I used a 46 liter backpack and my crossbody purse. I never had a check a bag, and walking around cities with my stuff was a breeze!

What I packed in my backpack:

Clothes:

We went to Spain in the middle of September when the weather couldn’t make up it’s mind if it was summer or fall. This meant that I had to bring a few extra things that I wouldn’t have if every city could have gotten on the same page about the weather. I dressed like it was fall in some places, and wore summer dresses in others. We had planned on doing laundry every 5 days (so twice while traveling), which worked out great! The Airbnb’s we stayed in all had a washing machine and a drying rack.

I used packing bags, which were a life savor! My bag would have been a disaster without them, and I definitely would not have been able to fit as much. I put my underwear and socks in the smallest bag, my athletic clothing (running stuff, crops, sports bras, etc.) in the medium bag, and everything else in the large bag. I rolled all of my clothes to save space.

• 3 t-shirts (one made out of technical fabric that can be worn as a nice shirt, or to hike)
• 2 dresses (I could have easily cut to one, but I did wear them both multiple times)
• Slip (worn under both dresses)
• Yoga pants (worn on the plane and in just about every place we stayed at night)
• Cropped leggings (for hiking, lounging, and layering)
• Sweatshirt (worn on the plane, hiking, and at night)
• 3/4 sleeve shirt (worn on the plane)
• Denim shirt
• Navy shorts (never worn, should have left them at home)
• Mary Jane Sneakers (worn on the plane and everywhere else. Loved traveling in these.)
• Flip flops (beach and a gross shower I don’t want to talk about.)
• 7 pairs of underwear
• 1 bra (worn on the plane. I had sports bras if I had some sort of catastrophic spill that required laundering.)
• 6 pairs of socks for my Mary Janes
• A pair of thick socks (for lounging around)
• A pair of black jeans
• White camisole
• Light rain coat (it rained the day we landed in Madrid, and I was so happy I had it for an extra layer on cool, windy nights. It folded up so small I often stashed it in my purse.)
• Comfy sleep shirt
• Drawstring bag for dirty clothes

Running/exercise stuff:

While I was in Spain I had to keep training for my upcoming half marathon. I tried not to bring an entire gym with me, but there are a few things I wouldn’t leave home without.

• Running shoes (I could have worn them on the plane, but I wanted to be able to slip my shoes on and off quickly. Instead I made sure I had enough room in my bag for them.)
• 2 pairs of running shorts (I could have gotten by with one)
• 3 sports bras (two would have been plenty)
• 1 running tank
• 2 technical shirts (one would have been enough)
• 4-5 pairs of running socks (at least two too many)
• Snacks
• GPS watch (+ charger)
• Arm band (never used)
• Tiger Tail (used a lot! Never had a problem carry it on in my backpack. I went through five security checkpoints, not one even asked me about it or took it out of my bag.)
• Lacrosse ball (A.K.A. my feet’s best friend.)
• Yoga towel (clipped to the outside of my pack. Perfect for lounging on the beach, a couple down dogs wherever we were staying, an extra towel, etc.)
• Goggles (totally swam in the ocean… once. Worth it!)
• Nuun (one half-empty tube)
• Hat (for running, hiking, and beach lounging)

Toiletries:

• Vitamins
• Natural Calm Magnesium (a gift from the heavens while training so much. A packet a day)
• Small hair brush + 3 hair ties (probably too many… I didn’t lose any)
• 4 different hair clips
• Tooth brush
• Travel-sized tooth paste
• Floss
• Shampoo + conditioner (two 3 ounce containers each. Turned out to be too much. I used one and a half bottles of each.)
• Bar of soap (my all time favorite)
• Bug bite spray (unfortunately used)
• Sunscreen
• Face cloth
• 3 ounce glass jar of body butter
• Face oil
• Aloe vera
• Laundry soap (enough for two loads)
• Diva cup
• Crystal deodorant
• Dry shampoo
• Razor
• Band aids (of the many, I only used one)
• Ibuprofen

What I packed in my purse:

• Water bottle (always.)
• Two magazines
• Kindle
• Wallet
• Hand sanitizer
• Lip balm
• Travel sized tissue
• Snacks!
• Adapter
• iPhone charger
• Headphones
• Sunglasses
• Journal
• Empty bag for groceries, etc.
• Pattern + materials for a friendship bracelet (completed in route)

PS. For more on what I did in Spain, check out this post.