We started back to school this week, and it's always an adjustment to schedules + expectations. The first book Julia is reading for school is the one I couldn't resist picking up in Bend...The Wildlands by Abby Geni. There was a review on the cover that read, "Think Silent Spring by way of Celest Ng"...and I was sold. (Next up...Crime + Punishment. There are similarities.)

The rainforest is burning. How we can help.
Migrant families to face indefinite detainment. "It all comes together like a beautiful puzzle." 
Seeking asylum is not a crime.
​1619.
Plastic water bottle ban. Why would anyone need one?

​Hope you enjoy a beautiful weekend on this planet we share.

Love,
Jane

We can't shop our way to sustainability.
~Céline Semaan

If time spent alone is to be true self-care, it might look more like this (at least most of the time) ::

-instead of a manicure :: paint nails at home for the cost of the nail polish or grow out the damaged nails + enjoy those healthy, naked nails (!)

-instead of a massage :: use a foam roller...trade massages with your partner...maybe even find a massage table on craigslist to up the luxury for both giver + receiver  

-instead of a coffee shop drink :: figure out some tasty drinks to make at home...even a few little splurges at the grocery store go a lot further than the same money spent at a cafe 

-instead of shopping :: wear what's already in the closet or make-up bag...take the fairdare...declutter your closet...embrace "less" + "enough"...take a no-buy challenge for a period of time...explore what it feels like...learn...grow

-instead of an all day netflix marathon :: declutter, learn something, visit the library, turn on music + dance

-instead of scrolling instagram :: journal, make moonlists, meditate, write out feelings in letter form (to God, a friend...send it or don't), stretch, move or get outside

Time spent alone becomes a luxury for moms of young children in particular, not because we want time away from our beloved babes...but because suddenly none of our time or even our own bodies belong to us. As a mama of small children, perhaps my best bit of self-care was protecting my little ones' naps + bedtimes. An overall (not militant) routine is important. Even as my girls grew out of naps, I tried to protect a quiet time when they would play on their own in their rooms for a period of time...so that we could each foster a little independence + alone time. As children grow older, trading playdates + sleepovers + having friends whose children love yours can provide time for self-care...both alone + with friends.

I think that one of the main rejuvenating aspects of time spent either alone or with friends is being intentional about slowing down enough to fully engage + be present in the moments we are spending in this type of self-care. We spend so much of our time trying to multitask or struggling to remember something else we need to get done or feeling stressed about what we have not done. Whether we take two minutes to meditate or sing out loud to that song we love...or four hours to lay on the couch + laugh with friends...we can just try to be fully there.

Be gentle with yourself, friend.

Also in this series on self-care :: roots + wellness 

Lots of love,
Jane

All that we used (for my notes):
-pan + lid, french press 
-4 bowls, 1 plate, 4 spoons, 4 forks, 4 mugs
-1 pop-up storage container (could just use an emptied hummus container instead)
-lighter, scissors, can-opener, knife + cutting board
-kitchen towel, cleaning spray, dish soap, trash can, hand broom 
-4 bath towels, 2 sets of sheets, 2 Rumpl blankets, 4 camp pillows (we put these on top of our rolled up towels to sleep)
-atlas (cell service is not always available), lantern, 1 camp chair
(the van came loaded with lots more)

Would add for us personally:
-tea ball
-wash cloth + hook to dry it 
-I'd use an empty yogurt container to collect compost + keep it in the fridge until disposal, if a collection site was available 

What we brought from home:
-bug spray, sunscreen
-toiletries, clothes
-book, notebook, pen, phone, charger, water bottle, 2 baggu bags

I loved the van for all the reasons that I thought I would. We could be sheltered from the blazing sun, heavy winds or hungry mosquitoes with the doors + windows open + the breeze blowing through. We were dry when it rained, raised off the ground + were left with no wet, muddy tent to put in the car with the rest of the stuff we were trying to keep clean + dry. The beds were comfortable + we were warm (though two grown girls sharing the top bunk was tight). We marveled at the stars...hung out next to the river or ocean some days...heard waves + seals from our beds...and slept in a new spot every night. 

We're not really in the market for full-time van life at the moment, but I would definitely love to do it more long-term in the future...especially for just two of us. We had all that we needed right there in that pretty compact vehicle...with space left over! We could go with a bit smaller van, if there were only two of us. And just so you know that the opinions here are not just my own...here are some things (besides repeating much of what I've expressed) my companions had to say about van life:
Mr: Do it.
Jo: I could live in a van.
:)
​
Love,
Jane

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread,
places to play in + pray in,
​where nature may heal + give strength to body + soul.
~John Muir

Movement + nature are another major component of self-care in this department. The wellness industry would like us to sell us personal trainers, books, classes, retreats, special clothing + equipment. 

We instinctively know that the true self-care comes from:
-moving...stretching, a few sun salutations, walking, yoga, whatever movement you enjoy
-getting into nature...walking, hiking + biking are great, but so is finding a shady spot for lunch...when it's hot sit on the stoop in the shade in the morning for a few minutes or at least by an open window

On these hottest of days...move, do yoga, or stretch under a fan...get the air moving. Play some vibey, soft music. Getting on the floor changes everything. Take a walk as the sun comes up. Play some happy, energizing music loud + dance. Sign up for a class or a membership, if it's in the budget + you know you'll go...but it's not self-care, if our budgets can't support it.  ;)

Whether or not I feel like tying my shoes to go for a walk in the morning, the outdoor air always holds something to notice...heat, humidity, a breeze, a change. I feel small in the bigness of nature...even in my neighborhood. I usually walk with my girls, so there is conversation + closeness. And back at home, I feel like I've done it (!)...the chore of exercise no longer looms over my head. My legs + my lungs feel stronger. There is a lightness + usually a smile. Now that is self-care...no debt...no guilt...less stress.

​A healthy diet, movement + a little time spent in nature can set us up for another crucial aspect of self-care...sleep. A regular schedule for bedtime + waking is helpful. A twenty minute nap can be a rejuvenating treat as well.  :)

While our circumstances + preferences will vary greatly, I think our thought processes can have something in common along the way. Self-care is not truly self-care if it leaves us feeling more stressed about our health, time or money. True self-care promotes true thriving.  :)

​Also in this series :: roots + time

Love,
​Jane

Smaller is ok. Everything has its purpose.
Before you sweep something off the table + say, "I couldn't do that."
Well, maybe just try it first.
~Garrett Hohn (via)

The promotion of self-care is everywhere, and that's no surprise. We live busy lives filled with obligation, and many (most?) of us are left feeling depleted. And when something can be sold...the opportunity is sure to be leapt upon with great vigor. A search for self-care on beauty + fashion websites produces lists of posh meditation + yoga retreat centers or lists of products to purchase. A search on instagram produces pictures of coffeeshop drinks + facials + sculpted eyebrows + toddler's hands painted with nail polish.

When we take a minute to think about what we would truly like to get out of self-care...we might desire it to spark healing + rejuvenation. The way we often partake, however, is more as a sort of quick fix. We look for hits of dopamine/pleasure that we can get from things like shopping + sugar. These indulgences act as a sort of inadequate bandaid used to patch over an unwell life...when what we are really searching for is a feeling of peace within our minds + souls. 

As a matter of perspective: 
--This whole understanding of self-care seems to be relatively new. Self-care has long been a term used in the mental health care field to determine a person's ability to care for him or her self + to perform the activities of daily living such as feeding oneself, bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth + remaining continent.
--It's interesting to think about what self-care would have meant to the masses up until quite recently. Making sure that a family or tribe had shelter, enough to eat, firewood + appropriate clothing was a full-time endeavor. Surely this is + was considered self-care. This is the way many around the world would still view self-care today.
--Our own views of self-care will vary based on personal preferences + life circumstances. 

I think that many of us (and quite possibly even those mentioned above) could agree to some degree that the goal of good self-care is to enable thriving. Self-care can take many forms, but if we neglect the roots of our stress, anxiety + barriers the effects will be fleeting.

Effective self-care comes down to truly knowing ourselves + taking an honest look at the lives we are living. If self-care is, at least in part, about being able to take care of ourselves...we can start by asking ourselves:
-Am I getting enough sleep?
-Am I feeling nourished through the foods I eat?
-Does showering, washing hair + brushing teeth feel like a chore?
-Is my/our laundry routine working for me/my family?
-How is my health? Mentally? Physically? Spiritually? Am I self-medicating in a negative way?
-Do I have some supportive people in my life? Do I feel isolated?
-Is my living situation clean, safe + nurturing?
-What parts of my life feel overwhelming?

Once we've been thoughtful + honest about our current reality, we can go back to each of these questions + think about what we would like the answer to be or look like. Be as specific as possible. Do you want to start each week with clean sheets + a stack of clean underwear? Do you want your littles to know what to wear each morning? Write it down. This can start to direct our self-care efforts.

Now...clean sheets on Sundays...that's self-care. Organizing your littles' closets so that all five pairs of their pants match all seven of their tees + their two hoodies (it's not just about matching...it's mainly about less)...that's self-care. Another frappe could never touch the thriving that these actions will bring!

We'll dive a little bit deeper into self-care here in the days to come.

My desire is for your health + thriving. As always, these are just my thoughts + not a substitute for professional mental health care. Please be kind to yourself + ask for help, if you think it might be helpful. 

​Also in this series :: time + wellness

Much love,
Jane

I came across this amazing jumpsuit pattern from Merchant & Mills the other day + it sparked some thought in the direction of autumn. (I'm in love with this worn-in denim version!) A few minutes later I'd gathered this little collection of makes that feels cohesive + oh, so inspiring! Are you dreaming of cooler days yet?

Love,
​Jane

We're into homemade pizza around here. It's a meal that always conjures just a little bit more excitement than usual. I was looking to add a little variety in the pizza department + decided to make a barbecue (sauce) pizza (as opposed to one defined as "barbecue", because it was cooked on the grill...which is also delicious!). 

I try to avoid buying things in glass jars as much as possible, but a jar of barbecue sauce could sauce up a bunch of pizzas...so I bought a bottle. (We can recycle glass in special receptacles located in parking lots placed around our city, but recycling still takes energy + water.)

For toppings, I thought green onions, cabbage + carrots would be good. As a quick solution, I decided to purchase these ingredients from the salad bar. These ingredients don't weigh much (so aren't super expensive), and I can buy just enough of each for our pizza. Last week's barbecue pizza had tofu on it. Though we usually eat vegetarian at home, this week's pizza has chicken on it. Both were found at the salad bar + added to the same container brought from home.

When suppertime rolls around, we make a pizza crust...spread some barbecue sauce on it...spread the salad bar ingredients (minus the tofu/chicken)...top with grated cheese...and bake. Five minutes before it's done, I add the tofu/chicken mixed with a little more barbecue sauce (in order to avoid drying them out)...and bake five more minutes.

The salad bar is a great source of unpackaged ingredients like tofu, mozzarella balls, olives + lots more. I save the more expensive purchases for rare treats. Salad bar pizza toppings make for a simple, quick + tasty meal.  :)

Love,
​Jane