Note from Tsh: I was honored when Jeannett of Life Rearranged first told me she’d be working through my book on her blog. I also loved her ingenuity and creativity. One of the only other things better than simplifying just one bite as a time is to join a group of people and do it together. Accountability? Check. Making it more fun? Check. Heck, I think I’m going to join. Read on…

When I first read about Tsh’s new ebook, I immediately purchased it. What a fabulous idea, right? And oh so clever. The elephant analogy? Love it.

I realize there are thousands of “Simplify Your Life” books out there, but what I love about One Bite at a Time is that it’s broken down into simple, manageable chunks that I can actually incorporate into my day. Oftentimes, the Simplify books just end of up overwhelming me with yet more things for me to deal with…and all kinds of things I need to go out and buy.

You can’t be organized unless you buy 24 of these $10 containers.

You can’t simplify until you stock up on 16 of these racks and gadgets.

These $12 jars will make your life complete! You just need 35 of them.

Buy, buy, buy.

Yuck.

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While I travel, I’ve asked a few friends to share their voices here. This is from my friend Jessica Fisher of Life as MOM (she’s also a Simple Homeschool contributor). I really do use tons of her printables for my home management notebook.

Ever wake up and ask yourself, “How did I get here?”

Whether it’s an untidy house, a jumbled bank account, or an overpacked schedule, I’m stuck in chaos on more than one occasion. It may be because I am bursting with creativity or actively working on a project. Or I might be in such a fog of busy-ness, I can’t see clearly.

As moms we’re responsible for the welfare of others as well as ourselves. That’s the nature of the job. While we can’t do everything perfectly—nor should we try—it’s in our and our family’s best interests to put a little order into the chaos.

This is where paper comes to my rescue. Not only does writing things down help me make sense of my thoughts, it also helps me organize my life and my household. And I do it with my handy dandy notebook.

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This contest has ended. Check below for the results!

Note from Tsh: I smiled when I first read today’s guest writer Laura Laing’s book title: Math for Grownups. If anyone needs Basic Math 101, it’s me (just ask my parents). So when Laura asked if I’d like to check out her book, I jumped at the chance. And I’m so glad I did! Now, Simple Mom readers have a chance to win a copy as well. Read on…

You’ve probably figured out by now that math in your everyday life isn’t much like the worksheets and timed drills you suffered through in elementary and middle school. And in the real world, you can leave those way, way behind.

That’s because grownup math has more to do with problem solving than remembering that 7 times 8 is 56. Most of us don’t use trigonometry or calculus. But basic math skills figure into some of the most critical decisions of each day—how to save money, save time and save your sanity. These days, you need to know how much top soil to order for your flower bed or what time your parents will arrive in Boston, if they’re driving in from St. Louis.

Four summers ago, I decided to build a deck—something I’d never done before. This process taught me a lot about the math I already knew and how to fill in the gaps with some pretty simple problem solving skills.

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This time of year is akin to a second new year for parents. A new school year, new fall commitments, extracurricular activities, and an eventual change in season all make it feel like a new horizon around the bend.

It gets me in the mood to reevaluate how we’re doing as a family. To start fresh with new routines and habits. To prepare mindfully for the busy season ahead.

But if you’re like me, it’s all kind-of ironic—these things are meant to help simplify life, but instead, they feel like one more thing to do. These to-do list add-ons eventually make life more stressful, not simpler.

After the summer season, I want to dust off menu plan, wake up early enough again to have alone time, and regularly commit to weekly family meetings with Kyle. But when I try to do all those things, all at once, I stop before I start. It’s too much. I’m overwhelmed.

I’ve got a little something-something up my sleeve, and I’ll pull back the curtain this Friday. Its launch date is to celebrate my birthday, but it’s also deliberate: it’s the Second New Year for us parents. A fresh start feels good right now.
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We move into our new home tomorrow, so I’ve been reminded yet again about that nasty little idol called ‘perfectionism,’ and how it just loves to rob our peace. I wrote this post at this time last year, when I was cuddling newborn Finn. Different home, same message still rings true.

If you suffer from perfectionism, like me, then you’ll know what I’m talking about here.

I’ve been staring at this chest of drawers that serves as our family’s craft cabinet for about three weeks. It’s totally disheveled — scrapbook paper rests under a baggie of googly eyes; Christmas ornaments are somehow tucked in amongst the stickers and glitter pens. It honestly hasn’t been organized since we moved here four months ago.

I need to go through it and put things in order. A few hours of shuffling and sorting, and the craft supplies would be organized and easy to find.

But I haven’t started the project because the ideal craft cabinet in my head would take an entire afternoon, and a constantly nursing newborn and two preschoolers in the house means I barely get five minutes to focus on anything.

I’ve put it off because if I can’t do it perfectly, I think it’s better not to touch it at all.

It’s ridiculous, really. When I write it out right now, I realize how childish this thinking is. But there it is… perfectionism freezing me from doing anything at all.

I’m sure none of you can relate, eh?

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