One decade is about to take its final bow + another is on the horizon. Something I'd always like to be able to say is that the decade past was full of personal growth...and the one to come offers so much more to discover + embrace. Time has taught me that choosing to be a lifelong learner is life-affirming. One year...one day at a time...we keep moving forward, and it can be helpful to have some direction.

The new year is such a great time to renew a commitment, reach for a new level of skill, or open oneself up in a new way. I often wait until the last minute to try to come up with a sort of focus for the year to come. This year, I'm trying to be a little bit more proactive + thought I'd share a few habits that might be options to consider embracing + learning from:

-curb the production of microfibers moving through the air + seas :: make some thoughtful switches :: kindly share thoughts + actions with fellow consumers :: let brands know your thoughts :: (one brand taking action)

-take the fairdare :: get dressed with consideration for others + our shared planet :: make a commitment that pushes forward or stretches creativity

-make less waste :: live abundantly while sending as little as possible to the landfill to be preserved forever :: make one switch at a time or address one area at a time :: keep making progress

-get out of debt :: make + stick to a budget :: downsize spending :: celebrate victories

-tune in to "enough" :: live with joy + gratitude while not withholding resources from others :: buy less :: cultivate generosity :: try buying nothing or replacements only for periods of time

-practice self-compassion :: listen to + appreciate our bodies + feelings + intuition + souls while acting to optimize wellness

-enhance connection :: recognize + cultivate connection with fellow humans, nature + faith

-serve :: learn to recognize opportunities to partner with + assist while holding all with open hands + joyful, compassionate generosity :: elevate others :: be mindful of humility

-be curious :: offer a spirit that is teachable + open + ready to listen + learn :: study + experiment

-cultivate gratitude :: recognize both everyday + extraordinary beauty + the love that is its origin

In choosing a focus for the year to come, it might be helpful to think about what we value in life + how our current habits align with those values. We could also consider how our personal goals + actions affect others. We want to be healthy + whole humans...and we want to leave a viable planet full of love + peace for those who come after us. I hope that the habits I tend + sharpen with discipline + attention enhance my own existence...but also contribute to the greater good.

The decade before us is such a crucial one for our planet. Our personal mindsets + action are so important...but collective action is also necessary. Let's keep talking with those who need a little bit more encouragement. Let's speak truth to power. Let's vote with ballots + with our dollars. Let's encourage each other + move forward together!

Love,
​Jane

In addition to a few other methods of zero-waste gift wrapping, this year we are adding one more.

My plan (for a few years) has been to naturally dye some cotton bandanas to use as gift wrap. I'm not sure I will get around to dyeing them before Christmas this year...but that won't stop me from using them as is. I bought some 27 inch bandanas (larger than usual) in order to have the option of wrapping a larger variety of gifts. They are cotton, so that they will take dye. 

We'll label our gifts by punching a hole in some scrap paper cut into various shapes + decorated as desired. I have a number of small safety pins that will attach tag to gift. The tags can be kept + reused or recycled. Pins + bandanas can be used again + again.

These bandanas can be used to wrap gifts in so many ways. They could also be useful throughout the year as generous napkins or to bring unwrapped bread home from the bakery. I like the patterns on bandanas, but floursack towels or scarves or pieces of vintage tablecloth or cloth napkins would work well for wrapping as well. A piece of fabric from the fabric store or the good parts of an old sheet could be ripped into large squares.

In any case, it gives me a thrill to gather up the detritus of a good celebration + not to have to take anything out to the trash or the recycling.

Love,
​Jane

Gratitude is such a vital part of embracing simplicity...recognizing "enough"...and finding contentment. It is through gratitude that we can start to focus in on what we already have rather than being distracted by what we still want.

Gratitude is grounding + centering + allows us to be truly present. My faith paints that for which I am grateful as "gift". There is nothing I can do to earn a rainbow or a sunset or all that is encapsulated in a grapefruit. These are evidence of love.

It's not difficult to come up with an endless stream of gratitude once I get started. The light of the moon, the sound of laughter, a warm hug, seasons, excitement in the eyes of a daughter, a new leaf on a houseplant, friendship freely offered, drinking water, shadows, seeds, a warm shower...

I am here + there is good here.

Grateful for you too, friend,
Jane

It's been well over a decade now that I've been swimming in the sea of minimalism + simplicity + getting back to the land + creation care + thoughtful consumption. I love this sea that I've voluntarily jumped into. It meshes so well with my overarching faith...the values of love + compassion. This time of year, in this world of minimalism, often brings out all the reminders not to overindulge, to avoid Black Friday, to abstain from the consumerism + to stay the course.

Instead, one of the gifts I'm giving my simple self this year is the freedom to celebrate. I'm embracing all the joy + wonder...but none of the guilt...at least that's the goal.  :) All year we've done the work of recognizing "enough" + feeling the abundance there. We've, to some extent, already broken the chains of consumerism...the lies of capitalism. This season is not about an even trade or money for goods. This season is all about "gift". Undeserved gift from God...giving without expectation of return (even in reaction)...presence over presents...service for the pure joy of it.

I've been inspired by the formulas others impose, but it's ok that I don't have one. I'm not going to overextend myself. There will be candles + clementines + fairy lights + cookies + hot chocolate with whipped cream + festive tunes. We know how to find joy + happy contentment in this simple magic. 

I wish I could share the simple gifts that we are giving, but I don't want to spoil any surprises. Thankfully, we have some ideas. I started some pinterest boards months ago + have pinned thoughts along the way (for myself as well...which makes it easy to pick a few to share with those who ask). I will say that I love the thought of a useful luxury...something that I know will be used + used up...but is a little upgrade from the usual. I like the idea of stocking a stash of something someone loves (so that they don't have to spend their own money on it + it feels decadent to have more than enough of a special treat). I also like the idea of an experience to look forward to sharing.

This year, I'm throwing open my heart + mind. I'm shedding the need to perform Christmas. I'm welcoming joy + the sort of abundance that I know feeds our souls. If Black Friday offers me a deal on something that is on my list, I'm gratefully accepting. If we feel like joining in a little holiday bustle, I'll throw on my festive scarf + smile all the way through.

Tons of love,
Jane

Often the first hint I have that a new season is upon us is the new stuff in the shops. The autumn things we could buy arrived when we were still enjoying air conditioning + iced drinks. This is actually great marketing, because at that point I would have had to buy autumn.

Where we live the leaves are now turning + falling. The wind was blowing acorns flying off of our oak yesterday and...ping, ping, ping...into the house. Autumn is here + we didn't have to buy a thing in order to experience it. A few simple, zero-waste ways we're embracing this season of gold, rust + red are...

sight ::
-a pumpkin on the table
-a few sprigs of wheat scattered among my tiny ceramics collection
-walks in the woods + in the neighborhood
​-watching Gilmore Girls again...there's just something about New England in autumn
-noticing familiar trees along our usual routes at each stage of color change 
-counting monarchs flitting + persisting
​-greeting the return of the early stars + planets
-appreciating the last of the happy sunflowers 

smell ::
-getting out all of the candles + lighting them in the darkening evenings
-apples simply cut, smelled + crunched
-breathing that musty leaf smell deep (+ keeping a tissue handy)

taste ::
-hot, spicy tea 
-chocolate chip, pecan, pumpkin bread
-all the soups
-lots of roasted, root vegetables

sound ::
-leaves rustling + crunching
-blustery winds howling
-revisiting familiar, smooth sounds...we love Ben Howard + Trevor Hall 

touch ::
-pulling out all the blankets
-and socks
-and cozy sweaters

What simple autumn pleasures are you enjoying lately? I'd love to hear!  :)

Love,
Jane

Wishing you all the peace, joy, love + laughter this season has to offer, friends. 
Merry Christmas!
Love,
​Jane

The idea of simple gift giving always brings the Ingalls family Christmases in Laura Ingalls Wilder's books to mind. A peppermint stick (a rare treat), a new tin cup (so the girls wouldn't have to share one anymore), or a lovingly sewn rag doll (for a girl who had never had one before) brought such wonder + joy. 

Many Westerners today have everything that they need...enough cups for everyone at the table to have their own...no shortage of toys...and candy more than once per year. Many of us just go to Target (or Amazon) when we want or need anything. There aren't too many needs left to fulfill with gifts. But we still enjoy giving holiday gifts.

A few gifting "categories" that speak to my zero-waste, simple, minimalist, environmentally considerate, plastic-free intentions ::
-something fair + lovely (want)
-replacement (need)
-experience
-homemade
-consumable
-something to do
-self-care
-useful, lovely indulgence 
-service

I like reading about holiday gift giving formulas families use like ::
-need, want, wear, read 
-gold (want), frankincense (something spiritual), myrrh (something for the body)
-want, need, experience to share 
-a year of monthly experiences

I think drawing names or doing white elephant gift exchanges (maybe say that no one can purchase anything) are good/fun options for extended families. Maybe doing a big swap for the holidays would be fun...even little ones could gather a few toys + clothes to offer. This could be a great way to go home with only things one actually wants + to clear out some space (donate the leftovers) as the new year approaches. I also love the idea of everyone sharing names of favorite books, movies, music albums, restaurants, quotes, recipes, new discoveries, parks, etc. This is the stuff of the joy of life anyway, isn't it? A list could be compiled individually or collectively.

Let's try not to make gift giving about obligation. We have no obligation to enrich the economy...no obligation to amass debt...no mandate to compete with the most generous gift giver in our extended family...no reason to create someone else's idea of a picture perfect holiday. (There is still opportunity to return stuff + reimagine this holiday.)  :)

Considering what gifts to give should be a joyful experience. It's an opportunity to share love + appreciation. We get to decide how that looks. 

Love,
Jane

Washing clothes releases half a million tonnes of plastic microfibres into the ocean
every year, equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles. ~Ellen MacArthur Foundation (via)
​
Since modern plastic was first mass-produced, 8 billion tons have been manufactured.
And when it's thrown away, it doesn't just disappear. ~Christopher Joyce (via)
​

Holiday gift giving might be just a manageable area in which to engage ourselves in a little challenge. We've learned about the extreme reach plastic microfibers have...into oceans, fish + even our drinking water. We've seen the uncontainable nature of everlasting plastic packaging + products. Could we focus our consciousness with a plastic free gift giving challenge?

-Could we leave polyester out of our Christmas gift giving? That means no poly fleece tops, no polyester leggings, no acrylic faux fur slippers. How about an organic cotton flannel shirt or robe...a canvas tote bag or purse...cozy wool socks or slippers...?
-Could we eliminate plastic packaging? That means no plastic clamshell packaging to wrestle, no plastic film or shrink wrap. How about some homemade or local treats packed in glass or cotton bags...a special book or recycled paper notebook...package-free soap or small batch skin cream...?
-Could we bypass plastic bows + shiny paper + glossy gift bags? How about furoshiki...reusable bags...bento bags...left over muslin bags...reused packing paper + twine (tape can often just be omitted)...? 
​
​Leaving plastic packaging + fibers out of our gifts needn't be restricting. It might just shift our focus away from big box stores + onto independent makers or into our own creativity. Think paper, cotton, felt, wool, rubber, glass, wax, metal, wood, edibles, pages, natural dyes, scents, tastes, textures, cozy, breezy, warm, light, nourishing, useful, inspiring, educational, artful, creative, crafty, fun, pretty, vintage, reusable, experiences, adventure, anticipation...

Awareness is the key. Our society isn't currently constructed to promote plastic-free living, so it can be easy to just forget (especially in this most wonderful time of year). ​The above lovely photos (via links) hopefully offer a tiny bit of inspiration + a reminder that this needn't be too tough a challenge. Our beautiful world depends on us curbing our use of plastic. A beautiful, plastic-free holiday is possible!

Love,
Jane

Most of us know that we do not need boxes of stuff marked "holiday" in order to create a holiday atmosphere. The most natural (+ perhaps beautiful) holiday decorations do not need to be stored + are also quite zero-waste. Not only are these decoration festive, they are often tasty, aromatic, cozy, fun to make + recyclable/compostable.

A few simple, non-clutter holiday decorations ::
-a jar or two of red + white candy or cinnamon sticks
-oranges with leaves still attached
-dried orange slice, popcorn +/or cranberry garland
-a fresh green wreath or tree
-a beautiful branch or potted plant strung with snowflakes (made from sneaky junk mail)
-a tray of sage bundles, pretty crystals + candles
-meaningful scripture verses, poems or carols written 
-forced bulbs
-cozy blankets + pillows
-candles
-found pine boughs tied together with twine
-a bowl of pinecones or pinecone garland
​-received Christmas cards
-fairy lights (because they are lovely all year)  :)

I mentioned last week that the decorations I really love for the holidays are lights + greenery. I'm happy that I figured this out early in the season, because now I have a plan. 

I've decided to acknowledge + accept that simple does not necessarily mean free. I would like to indulge in a little live greenery...because it is compostable at the end of the season... it has less tendency to create visual clutter...it doesn't become stuff to store...and it is beautiful. This live greenery is not free (for me). I'm keeping my budget in check with my edited choices. I decided that I would like to purchase a small real tree + some greenery to make a simple wreath. These cost me $30. I'm accepting that these costs are part of the holiday experience that I'm giving my tribe as well, so the gift budget will respond appropriately (shrinking a bit). (A great way to gather a little free greenery is to pick up the fallen pieces around the fresh cut trees...or to gather them from an outdoor space where permitted. Another way is to use a hand-me-down faux tree...year after year. Both of these have worked for us in the past.)  :)

Our holiday decorations this year will include ::
-tiny lights + fairly made brass bells added to our everyday front door wreath
-waxed candles all over the house + in the windows (operated by timers + rechargeable batteries)
-a small fresh tree in a steel bucket, decorated with lights + handmade clay stars made with the girls years ago
-a spruce scented candle for lighting
-a handmade fresh eucalyptus wreath (from the branches pictured)
-a handmade nativity
-handmade (by Julia) paper stars
-tinsel draped over windows
-an advent calendar that the girls + I stitched together years ago
-gifts under the tree (wrapped in reused brown paper + twine and starry baggu bags)
-holiday tunes
and maybe:
-vintage Christmas postcards I collected years ago, clipped onto some yarn garland-style
-hand-cut snowflakes in the windows (I often like to have these up in January/February)

Much of these decorations can be composted or recycled at the end of the holiday, + the rest will pack neatly into a couple of boxes for next year. 

Here is where the decluttering part comes in. Right now is when the holiday decorations we no longer need...are useful to others. Our tribe doesn't have many decorations...but even so...I'm pulling them all out...unwrapping + considering each piece. Anything that we don't need is getting donated...pronto. (Faux Christmas trees can be listed on Craigslist or other local sharing site. Listing them for free will offer the greatest possibility of getting them reused + will share a little Christmas cheer as well.) 

Each of us gets to choose how sentimental to be about saving + passing things on. As a girl, I loved pulling the same few decorations out of the boxes to decorate the tree each year. If my mom had saved all my childhood creations + offered them to me as a teenager, I definitely would have wanted to save them. I would have imagined pulling out the box with my children. The thing is that the reality of a situation like that would have turned out differently. My girls are not very sentimental in that way. Having pictures of them with their own creations + at the age they made them is enough (+ wonderful!). Not having to move + store mountains of decorations is nice too.

I say this only to remind us to think about who we are saving things for (for ourselves or for their future selves). If I had saved my childhood ornaments, I may have ended up picking a special one to keep. The rest would be a burden to pack + move + store. I've enjoyed choosing my own themes to decorate with + may have felt stuck or guilty if expected to hang all of my (or my husband's) childhood collected ornaments. On the other hand, if a family loves to pack that tree full of every ornament of the year every family member has collected...have a blast! It's just my hope that we don't have to feel obligated (+ choose not to place obligation in our sphere of influence), if there is no joy for anyone in that tradition.  :)

One final note on those precious glittery, gluey, childhood ornaments :: no decluttering advice here...just a memory that I love. When one of our girls came home from kindergarten on her last day before Christmas break, I couldn't wait to see all of that bright, crafty goodness. Instead of a collection of popsicle stick frames + googly-eyed pinecones, she proudly produced one extremely long length of paper chain. She had just gotten so into making paper chain that she never visited any of the other craft stations!  :)

What are your favorite simple Christmas decorations? 

Love,
Jane