A couple of Saturdays ago, I found myself sucked into a van life rabbit hole. One video turned into another...partially because I found this couple just so likable.  :) I haven't been totally attracted to long-term van life, because it doesn't fit our stage of life right now...but I am attracted to a life filled with exploration + adventure + not being hindered by stuff.

When I'm trying to keep perspective on how much I do have + that I don't need more, I often think of people far less fortunate than my family. I'm so lucky to have all that I do have. I have everything that I need. This week I found myself thinking of van lifers as well...having all they need in that vehicle...especially in terms of clothing. When I'm on vacation I'm happy to wear the one sweatshirt I have, when it's sweatshirt weather. I'm happy to wear the one pair of pants or shorts or jacket or trainers or sandals that I have. I wash things less often, but enough. It doesn't matter if I wear the same sweatshirt for parts of every day for two weeks. I'm not really thinking about my clothing, because I'm looking outward ...experiencing every moment of every day. My clothing is quite important. (I've had to buy an extra layer when I misjudged things on camping trips.) Clothing enables the adventure. It's a tool. It keeps the mosquitos off, enables swimming, hikes well, keeps me cozy or cool or dry.

I'd like to be able to keep this perspective in mind in my daily life as well. I don't have to keep all of my clothes in a cubby, but there is no reason that I (+ the planet) can't benefit from this mindset.

I think I've linked this video here before, but it combines what to me is the best of van life + mindful living. My thoughts revisit this concept often. Intentional living comes in an endless number of forms + can be just so incredibly creatively constructed.

Love,
Jane

In order to keep myself motivated + to recognize the projects + growth I've tackled...I try to do a monthly check-in with myself + my notebook. I like to list some goals at the beginning of the month + check in with them periodically. At the end of the month, I go back + make notes...and set some intentions for the month ahead. I'm not always great at doing this right at the turn of the month + I'm ok with that.

Month by month I like to list:
-zero-waste/simple living exploration
-wardrobe goals + projects
-budget goals
-books I read
-things I create
-what I'm wearing + thoughts
-seasonal pleasures I'm enjoying
-exercise goals
-relationship goals
-teaching goals + projects
-a to-do list

I'm also working through Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline for the second year in a row + recording notes + thoughts.

And I like to do the Moon List questions as they come out...for personal reflection + self knowledge. 

Sitting down with a cup of tea, a favorite playlist + a lit candle...getting off-line...and using my handwriting...takes me into a different state of mind. This slow introspection almost always has me coming away with spirits lifted. My actions haven't necessarily changed, but my recognition of all that has been accomplished + explored brings me a bit of a sense of value that I may not have felt before. It also gives me a sense of direction going forward.

What is your monthly practice?

Love,
​Jane

This month I've been taking a sort of zero-waste inventory of our bathroom. I like to take a look at things as a whole periodically in order to gauge my progress.

A great way to eliminate waste created by an item altogether is to consider the necessity of the item. If we don't need it, we don't even have to search for a zero-waste alternative! (Pass the product on to a friend who will use it, or donate it to a shelter.) I love how the quest to decrease waste pushes us to become more + more simple + natural.

For those products that we do choose to continue using, we look for ::
-multi-functional products (like the soap we use as body soap, shaving cream, make-up remover, stain remover + facial soap)
-reusable rather than disposable versions (such as a safety razor)
-items that can be composted at the end of their functional lifespan rather than added to the landfill (such as a bamboo toothbrush)
-items we can make at home from natural ingredients that we can find unpackaged or packaged in recyclable packaging (such as our toothpowder + lip balm)
-items packaged in reusable (such as my facial moisturizer) or recyclable packaging (toilet paper)

Here is a little update of the choices we are currently making in our bathroom (by no means perfect or recommended...just honesty) ::

bamboo toothbrushes (a) :: compostable, recyclable/compostable packaging, landfill bristles
tooth powder (a) :: made by me from two paper + glass packaged ingredients 
unpackaged soap (b) :: no packaging, available locally 
shampoo bar (b) :: recyclable paper packaging (update here)
conditioner bar (b) :: recyclable paper packaging
lotion bar (b) :: no packaging, available locally
facial moisturizer (c) :: reusable glass + metal packaging, available locally
comb (d) :: fair-trade, compostable
deodorant (e) :: no packaging, long-lasting
compostable floss (f) :: compostable, reusable glass + metal, refills
​lip balm (g) :: made by me from local + natural ingredients in recyclable packaging
toilet paper (h) :: recycled, recyclable paper packaging, available locally
​hairbands, bobby pins, clip (i) :: long-lasting, clip is 20 years old
safety razor (j) :: metal, paper packaging, long-lasting, cost-effective, recyclable blades
nail clippers (k) :: long-lasting, 30 years old
​period panties + no applicator tampons (l) :: organic cotton, fair, reusable, less waste
(a menstrual cup is a wonderful option for those who can use them)
towels + bath mat (n) :: fair-trade, organic cotton
scissors + hair clippers (o) :: long-lasting, no cost haircuts for all  :)

I also have 2 bamboo brushes (m), an eyelash curler, some face powder, blush + eyeshadow that I don't routinely use. I have put them aside for occasional use at this point, which means that all of the above are long-lasting. Jo keeps the tweezers in her room + I "borrow" them as needed.  :) I've also kept the hairdryer, but haven't used it in years.

I put together a pinterest page for my own reference + as a place to collect options I might like to try when something here runs out. Feel free to check it out for links + further explanations of my choices.  :)

Love,
Jane 

P.S. I'm careful in this space to use language that communicates that I'm sharing my own choices + journey. I try to do the best I can with the choices + priorities I have. I make a concerted effort not to sound like I'm giving advice. Please feel free to make the choices that make the most sense to you + your priorities...and to share your journey as well.  :)

It was just a moment...a fleeting thought. They come + go quickly, but I long to catch this one like the snowflakes falling outside my window. I want to catch just one + observe it quick before it melts away. 

I'm not going to say that I avoided all the sale hype this weekend. During past Black Friday frenzies, I diligently deleted all sneaky sale emails that found their way through to my inbox + moved on. I kept myself away from the shops completely. In the days that followed I'd start thinking of a few thoughtful gifts I'd like to give...and realize that I probably could have saved some money over the weekend. The what-ifs crept in any way.

This year, I took a thoughtful look at the emails that came...deleting most of them...but considering a few. Even then, I felt pressure to make decisions before the end of the sale. I felt urgency + desire that wasn't there before.

Today there is a snowstorm. We knew it was coming, so when I woke up...I knew there was no rush...no place to be. I got cozy with a book + read...a lot. The day unfolded lazily for all of us. The wind blew...the snow whirled. We drank tea + ate soup. And just for a single moment, I caught a thought before it melted away...this is what it's all for...this is what we want + need...a roof over our heads, cozy comforters, left-over birthday cake, heat, light, running water, comfy layers + socks. We have enough. We have "home". And it is good.

No need for more...no frenzy or fear of missing out. Sometimes a single second of clarity presents itself...like that moment when your ears unpop + you can hear fully again + hearing feels like a gift...a miracle...and a minute later that realization is lost. I don't want to forget. I have what I need...what I want to give my girls...what I want...and it is good...so good.

May you experience + recognize those fleeting moments of clarity in the season to come.

Love,
Jane

It was time for a quieter closet. I'd been avoiding purchasing furniture as much as possible. We've moved enough to know that less is better...but also...organized is nice.  :) In order to figure out just the right piece/pieces to purchase, I listed out the categories of clothes Mr. Tribe and I have + how many drawers would be helpful. I hit upon 5 drawers for each of us. Mine would contain: intimates/socks, tees, layers (sweaters), bottoms, + athletic wear. His would be the same, except he keeps his athletic wear (+ outerwear) in another closet. I wanted room above the drawers for his hanging shirts, so that decided the height desired. Width had to do with being able to access the deeper sides of the closet.

After lots of measuring, two of these sets of drawers seemed to be just the thing. They only have four drawers each, but they met most of my requirements otherwise.

I still have a couple of things to work out (I may not need those bins on top of the drawers), but I'm happy with how this project is shaping up. Along the top shelf are two boxes for our out of season clothing + a few keepsake boxes (a curated collection of letters + keepsakes). I keep my sewing machine here, because I don't want it to rust in the damp downstairs closet (where I keep the rest of my sewing things). There is a bin for my pajamas + one for my athletic wear. My carry-on size suitcase (which holds out of season clothing...namely my woolies in the summer) slides in the side there in front of the shelf. My hanging clothes include my coats (since our coat closet belongs to Mr. Tribe and his outer + athletic wear).  :)

​A quieter closet...a quieter mind.

Love,
Jane

I've tried to regularly take vitamins for years. Like lots of habits, I'll take them regularly for weeks or months + then a day will come when I suddenly realize that I haven't taken them for weeks. I don't really like the look of my vitamin organizer, so I had been keeping it in a drawer that I would have to remember to open each morning in order to take them. 

Recently my closet received a reorganize + this little shelf no longer fit there. I set it up near the chair in my bedroom to hold the books I read each morning. I put my vitamins there too. Now when I sit down with my morning drink to do my morning reading + writing, I see those vitamins too. By adding this habit to an already established daily habit...I haven't missed a day since.

I'm wondering if this placement trick could work for a few other habits I'd like to be better at as well. I'm trying it with my foot lotion (to apply before putting my socks on in the morning) by putting it next to my vitamins + hand lotion (to apply before bed at night) by putting it with my pajamas. 

Love,
Jane

I don't know if it's just me, but sometimes I feel like I have to wake up to seeing things again. I can get to a place where I just don't see a few things on the counter...or the build up in the junk drawer. So I'm trying to shake myself awake + seeing again in a few areas...starting with my linen closet.

A linen closet is a luxury. I've lived in enough houses to know.  :) This house has a narrow closet in the hallway that I have luxuriously claimed as a linen closet. In the only previous home where we had a linen closet, Mr. Tribe required it as overflow for his half of the closet for t-shirts + athletic wear. In this house he has our coat closet for such. Not everyone around here has gone full-on minimalist.  :) These concessions require shuffling of the things that are meant to be housed in these designated spots...but that's a story for another day.

The thing that woke me up to seeing my linen closet again was the fact that I was moving our light blanket back and forth from chair to bed every morning + night...folded all the while (never in use). I needed to make space for it in the linen closet. The process didn't take long or require much from me. I just needed to remove the excess. 

Here is what I removed:
-3 feather pillow forms
-a spare hand towel
-a twin sized duvet cover
-a few textiles
-an underbed storage bag

-The pillow forms took up a lot of space + I can imagine uses for them...but these imagined scenarios have not happened yet. Use it or lose it.
-The hand towel has replaced the embarrassing one downstairs...which joined the rags.
-The twin sized duvet cover can be replaced by using her summer blanket in its place. She doesn't like constantly adjusting it (+ didn't use it last winter) anyway.
-The textiles are under consideration for projects + were moved in with my craft supplies.
-The storage bag was kept because we have tended to move often + I might need it in a different home. It's being donated.

This process took me about ten minutes. That blanket found its place in the linen closet + I'm left wondering what took me so long.  :)

Love, 
​Jane

Living room master list:

Seating :: Enough for the people who live here. (Extras can be brought from other rooms.) 
Place for feet :: For comfort + also to perch a computer on for collective watching.
Lighting :: Enough to read by.
Curtains :: Only for privacy, because...sunlight!
Blankets :: During cold weather, we keep the heat lowered in order to save gas + money. 
Clock :: A small one helps me stay on schedule.

also:
A few things that lend themselves toward style :: A little goes a long way. Currently I have about ten small things spaced out on shelves + hung above the mantle that communicate a vibe I love.
Candle :: The flicker + scent add so much joy + coziness in the colder months.
Ceiling fan :: An essential (if possible) for me. It cools so much in the summer allowing us to keep the air conditioning lower (saving both electricity + money).
Books :: A few of my favorites + a spot for a few library books = enough for me. Mr. Tribe + Jo each have a shelf full of books here.

optional:
Rug :: I sold our Craigslist, wool rug six months ago + am still considering whether we want to replacement it.

It may seem like I'd add a bookshelf to our master list, but I don't think it's a necessity. In our last home, we stacked our books on the floor in a nonfunctioning fireplace. We had a small mantle for candles + small objects. Since I don't have a lot of books anymore, I would think creatively before purchasing bookshelves.

Honorable mention: versatility...the pictures above were taken last month (on a good library day!). Here is what our living room looks like today.  :)

This is a controversial topic, and I'm pretty sure that my opinion will not line up with popular thought.  :) We wash all of our dishes by hand. A few reasons:
-We don't have a lot of dishes.
-Pots + pans + collander + wooden spoons + my grandma's milk glass mixing bowl have to be hand-washed anyway.
-Pre-washing dishes + then having to inspect + scrub them after they come out of the dishwasher uses time + water (+ is annoying).
-Might as well just wipe a washcloth over it + be done, if pre-washing/rinsing food off of it anyway.
-Each one in our tribe washes her/his own plate + utensil + one pot or bowl directly after eating + it's all done...quickly + painlessly. 
-Washing dishes right away takes less water than waiting until the food is dried on.

We've been doing dishes this way since Julia, our younger daughter, was seven...and only waited that long, because that's when the idea came to us. Jo encountered this method at a friend's house + we've done it the same way ever since! Thank you, Anushka!  :)

In pursuit of a zero-waste soap option, I've tried making my own liquid soap (with poor results). I've tried castile soap as well (which also comes in plastic bottles- whether bought in bulk or not), but don't like it because it's oily, expensive + doesn't lather. I don't like it for my hair (same reasons), and I find no need for it in my cleaning solution. 

I buy the biggest jug of dish soap that I can find at the grocery store + consider it bulk. I then refill a smaller soap dispenser about 1/4 full at a time, because I find that a full bottle dispenses too much soap + we go through it faster. This one bottle of soap works for dishes, hands, and hand washing intimates too. One drop is all it takes.

Love,
Jane