{Goodbye Room}

Goodbye room...

Goodbye moon... (actually it's hello because it's much prettier at our new house)

Goodbye we'll see you soon...

Goodbye cares and goodbye chairs...

Goodbye kittens behind us (you'll be glad Ellie's gone)...

Goodbye clocks, and hello docks...

Goodbye big house and hello little house...

Goodbye trees and goodbye brush...

Goodbye nobody, goodbye mush...

and goodbye to the old neighbor whispering hush- (Bye bye Jandy!)

Hello stars, hello air

Hello noises everywhere.

(We will be out by the end of this week... it's a bit bitter sweet).

{Stop and Dream.}

I have been furiously gathering my life together in the hopes of making it simple... but for a minute I am going to do as we all should do and focus on my dreams...


I read recently that people who write down their goals are nine times more successful. So here goes... I want to share a vision I have with everyone. It's a a hopelessly-enormous, gigantic, glorious dream, but it's real. And I hope, ever fervishly, that it will be mine, one day.


You all probably know that I'm starting a business teaching fitness classes and (soon) personal training. I want to share my passions for dance, fitness, and life with the world. But here's the problem, training and teaching classes has limits. I loathe limits. But here they are:


1. I can only physically teach/train so many people a week. And possibly one day the demand will exceed the possiblity, (which would be a good problem, but still a problem).

2. Not all people live in the Greater Charlotte Area. Sometimes it may feel like they do. But they don't.

3. Many people may not have access, or the means, to ANY training or exercise classes, period.


Solution to number 1 and 2... Technology. It is such a wonderful thing. Videos, websites, podcasts... all can solve the issues of time and distance. However, that can end up being GREATLY expensive to do it right (hence the "enormous dream" comment). But, I have gotten a little start on the website. It will be up soon!


Solution to number 3... Never turn anyone away, ever. One core value I have always held is that all people should dance. No one should ever be told no. I want to share that joy with EVERYONE. And one day everyone will mean the world. (Again, gynormous dream). But I truly hope that one day I will be able to travel the world and share my passion for dance and life with all people, especially those in need. And hopefully I will make an impact on their lives, because I'm sure it would greatly impact mine.

Day 33 {the light at the end of the tunnel}

STATUS UPDATE:

Day 33 of simplifying my life.

How many days is my journey?? However long it takes... Simplifying your life is an ongoing process that can take a lot of time. It will take constant organization and prioritization until one day it is a way of life that takes little or no effort. And you can sit back, relax and enjoy the simple things.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

This weekend my goal was to get as much moving done as possible. In case you didn't know we are downsizing from a 2400 square foot 5 year old home, to an old 1100 square foot mobile home (on the lake). We have to be moved out of our house within the next 10 days. We will live there for 6 months. The purging process has been a lot of hard work, but I believe we have been pretty successful. This weekend, I even got in some well needed R&R at my new home.

After seeing the pictures of the gorgeous view I will have at the lake, I am sure you don't feel sorry for me, nor do I feel sorry for myself. I will be able to sit back and enjoy my life with my husband and dogs. But I hope to take that habit with me wherever I may go, lakeview or not...

WHAT I'M HOPING TO LEARN:

First, that what I truly "need" is not that much. And hopefully I will be surprised how easy life is without it. Slowly but surely I will be able to live a minimalist, "Zen-type" lifestyle and be completely content.

Second, that will also help prioritize what is important in life. For example, the beautiful house I live in now has all of the amenities: 2 car garage, bonus room, large master bed and bath. Yes, I can afford to live the way I do now, but is it truly fulfilling me? Couldn't I be spending that money on things that will make a difference in my life and the lives of others? I would rather spend that money traveling the world, helping others. At least I know I will have made an impact for the good.

ADVICE FROM WHAT I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR:

Selling your house and downsizing is a HUGE step and a major life change. I am all for making big bold statements, but for some of us it may be better to start small . Here are a few tips of what I've learned so far:

1. Go through your house, room by room, closet by closet. Get rid of everything you don't truly need. Set a goal for yourself of when you would like to be done by, and MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR. It will probably take a couple of months. Don't overwhelm yourself, take it slow. Maybe assign 1 room per week to get through. Minimalize as much as possible. Be truly honest. How often do you use the item? Do you REALLY need it? Would you miss it if it were gone?

2. Sell/donate what you don't need.

3. As you live your daily life make note of the times you feel most happy and make note of it. I think you will be surprised at the simplicity of it. It could be as simple as letting a kid borrow your camera.

Being happy doesn't always require planning or extravagent things. Look at what's in front of you. It's there for a reason.

Learn how to get more done with less work. This site will change your life. www.Zenhabits.net

{minor. panic. attack.}

To be honest I have not been totally on on point with the packing and moving thing, but I really do have good intentions! When I do get an a few hours of free time, I have been greatly productive, but that time has been few and far between.

Maybe I sound like a hypocrite. The person who is "simplifying her life" is still constantly busy. But sometimes our lives have to become more chaotic before they can be simple.

Enter chaos. So time has rushed by and I realized that we only have 3 full days (that we're not working or out of town) to move. Cue panic attack. And not only to move out, but to fix a few things in the house and clean before the renters move in. Hyperventilating. As I reminded Mike of this he did not have the same reaction. Surprise surprise. But, that is good. With one of us panicking and the other unusually calm, we're pretty evened out.

Focus. So when I get there, the simple life, the entire journey will have been worth the wait. I envision myself as a girl sitting on a dock, with a cup of coffee, and my laptop blogging about life and my entreprenueral adventures. Until then I am a girl in a cube, with a cup of coffee and a dekstop, blogging about life and my entreprenueral adventures. Either way I am making something happen because a dream is just a dream unless you give it wings. Freedom.

{same dress. 365 days.}

I came across this on Daily Candy the other day and it caught my attention. Same dress. 365 days. My initial reaction was, "Who on earth would want to do that? And, "why?"

Once I watched the video I got it.

Same As It Ever Was.

She changes up the look each day with vintage accessories.
It's for a great cause.
It's ecofriendly.
It's simple.
It's genius.

Since my blog has been about simplifying my life, I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy.

For more information, and how to help the cause go to www.theuniformproject.com.

{easily amused}

Here I sit. Still on my week long break before reality sets back in. Until Monday I am a kid again. It is the Bi-annual Farmer Family Reunion and Wednesday's trip to the amusement park was definitely a highlight. Ironically it was "National Act Like a Kid Day" and boy did I take that to heart. The most memorable part was not the "double-black diamond rides" as my cousin Vicki called them, but the hour or so I spent with Madison, my three-year old niece. Unfortunately I did not have my camera at the time, but the images are forever ingrained in my memory...

I found Madison and my sister, Kristin, in Kids Land. Madison was sitting in the stroller with her signature two fingers in her mouth, holding on to the towel as blankie was not allowed on the trip. My sister greeted me,

"Hi!"

"Everyone else is in the waterpark, but I wanted to come spend some time with you guys," I said.

"OK, do you want to go on the roller coaster with Madison?"

"THE YELLOW ONE?!" Madison shouted, pointing to the miniature yellow coaster in front of us. 

The seemingly exhausted, groggy 3 year-old then jumped up, grabbed my hand, and ran to the coaster saying "run faster Aunt Kate!" I told her we should really sit in the front because it is the best. She gave me a quick look of uncertainty, but showing her true Farmer heritage she went right for it. Click click click... As we chugged up the hill I said "wave to mommy." And we did as we zoomed down and around. It was fifteen seconds of pure happiness. I noticed there was not a soul in line as the car returned to the station. "Do you want to do it again?" I asked and she beamed from ear to ear. Another fifteen seconds of pure happiness. 

For the next hour my niece held my hand dragging me from ride to ride and I loved every second. 

I decided the saying "Easily Amused" should no longer hold a negative connotation. Often in life we go for the biggest, or most extravagant when all we really need is the simplest of things. 

Day 20 {Simply me. Simply kadi}

I have been slacking...big time. With good reason though. I am in the midst of a bi-annual, week-long family reunion.

So the event has stopped Mike and I dead in our tracks of all of the packing/organizing and purging. To be honest, I am thoroughly enjoying the well needed rest. So for now I'm sitting back and reflecting on the journey...

I believe it is important to first reflect on why we are taking this step of simplifying our lives and majorly downsizing our dwelling. Most would assume we are either desperate or crazy. Well... we're not desperate (at least not financially). Honestly, I just wanted to make a BIG change in my life. I am in the wee beginnings of starting my own business and my mind is racing with ideas of all of the things I would love to do with it. Not only will I focus on dance and fitness, but I also want to introduce a lifestyle to others. I, like most everyone, love clothes, electronics, cars, and all of the STUFF I have accumulated over time. But to be honest, I don't need it, and would probably be better off without it. I am not saying I am going to sell all of my clothes and rid myself of any great style. But, my goal is to find those few items that are really awesome and that really define ME, and love them. Then I will free myself from every thing else that is excess weight... an imitation if you will. And there I will be. Simply me. Simply Kadi.

And I will enjoy every minute.

So will my dogs.