Goats Milk Lattes: Simple on Purpose: My Story

I had a messy bedroom my entire youth. Oh sure every once in a while I would be inspired to clean up all of my crap... cramming it into drawers and my closet, only to see it all toss itself on the floor and pile itself up on every flat surface it could find within a couple of days.

Then I became an adult and I soon had an entire house to fill up with "treasures" and junk. I would buy clothes that I loved... for a little while. If it was cheap and on sale, the chances that it would end up belonging to me increased at least 75%... if it was free it was definitely coming home with me. I loved yard sales and thrift stores and would spend weekends on "thrift" shopping sprees. Adding to the heaps of stuff I already owned.

Side note: I still love yard sales and thrift stores, but I approach them with much more intention than I used to.

Unfortunately all of these prize possessions started to create more havoc than pleasure. My cluttered house was a heavy burden. My attitude was crumby. I was stressed out. My stuff was making me a basket case.

Thrift Store Treasures...

It took me stepping back and realizing that nothing I had ever purchased was helping me be a better mom, a more loving wife or a kinder person. Not a single knickknack, piece of clothing or gadget made me a better human being. In fact my serial consumerism was even making me a worse citizen to the earth. My consumption of cheap goods meant that I was exploiting people who worked in abhorrent situations. Think sweatshops and slavery. And my habits were also causing more landfill waste.

I needed to change. And that's what I did. Do I still have to stuff? Yes. Do I still love clothes and unique decor? You bet! Do I still have toys for my kids to play with? Of course! We are just more selective about the things we actually love, use and bring home.

I want you to know that simplicity and minimalist living isn't something that I'm naturally good at. It takes intentional choice and a considerable amount of forethought. My ideas of living simple on purpose is going to look different than your ideas, my hope is that we will inspire each other.

Dear friend if you are surrounded by heaps of stuff, if your house seems to be closing in on you, I want you to know that you are not alone. If you are feeling shameful of your current house situation, take a deep breath, if you want to change that you can. If you are overwhelmed by all of the activities and events on your calendar, you can create more white space and freedom.

Stick around and we will journey into a less complicated lifestyle that is much more in line with our individual purposes, together.