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I get a lot of post ideas while reading other blogs. There are so many talented writers and I often gain inspiration for a subject to explore while reading someone’s account of a topic.
This happened on New Year’s Day. While reading as many of my favorite blogs as I could with a day free of obligation or industry (I was typically behind in my blog reading due to fun with my granddaughter/Christmas celebration) . When I read Layla’s {The Lettered Cottage} account of her choice of a Word Of The Year for 2014, something she does annually, I knew this word would fit with some of my goals for the year. As Layla explains,
That’s what choosing a Word Of The Year is all about. You live with it, you let it speak to you…you follow where it leads. There are no rules…it’s just supposed to be a little spark.
With the new year comes analysis of life in the rear view mirror and ideas for tweaking this or that. The goal is to improve in some small way, or to maintain things that are working well.
So with that grain of wisdom and inspiration, I decided to go with the word Simplicity as well. That decision sparked the need to share, it’s what we bloggers do, right?
Clearly, great minds think alike. I’ve since read a reference for using a word as inspiration for writing. Gretchen Rubin, The Happiness Project guru, posted a helpful tip for writers about using a single word to stir creativity. Posting a single word in your conscious to help with self-improvement holds great appeal for me.
I then came across the post by Ted Kennedy Watson sharing the cover of his new book, Style and Simplicity, An A to Z Guide to Living a More Beautiful Life. For those who have not had the good fortune to visit one of the Ted Kennedy Watson stores in Seattle, or visited his blog, you’re in store for a treat. This is what he had to say about the title to his book…
Simplicity is such a prevailing theme throughout the book, and the table I set that was chosen for the cover speaks to that word and philosophy.
I even had two dear friends mention in a comment on my blog that one of their goals (respectively) for the New Year is to simplify {thank you, Linda and Gretchen}. So that will be my goal for 2014.
So, I pledge to give simplicity in life a try this year. I hope to pare down and simplify my lifestyle in every way I can. With that, I hope to take more time to relax and appreciate what I have and the great beauty in nature that surrounds us.
Here are some simply lovely images for your viewing enjoyment.
♥ Karen
Garden, Home & Party 
around the table said:
Karen,
Your images are so fresh and pretty. Simplicity.. is a great word to focus on. We seem to complicate our days by over-scheduling and crowding our living spaces because we buy too much! Hope you are having a wonderful day! xxL
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I have to remind myself everyday that I want to simplify because my default is to over-do in lots of areas of life. Wish me luck! 🙂 xo, Karen
D'Arcy H said:
Simplify–such a great goal for the year! I could do with some of that, myself. I have a great opportunity when the kitchen is finished. I could NOT move all my previous junk back in! We’ll see what happens! 🙂
Karen B. said:
For some reason I’ve been really dedicated to paring down, I hope I can continue but I often loose momentum sometime around January 15 th. It would be nice to have a little more room in our cottage. xo, Karen
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marilee friedrich said:
I SIMPLY love this! Cheers to 2014! xxoo
Karen B. said:
Happy New Year, Marilee! May 2014 be a good year for us all. xo, Karen
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Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
True to form, I cannot pare it down to one word, and need an entire phrase – get a hold of my email.
The important stuff is being buried by junk and just looking in there gives me stress.
Happy new year!
Karen B. said:
Maybe we need a tech detox. Walk away, just walk away. I can’t do it! I’m totally addicted, but I did unsubscribe to a few things that show up in my mail box daily. If you do this, don’t unsubscribe to me! 🙂
Gretchen said:
To simplify your life seems like such a “simple” concept, but it’s easier said than done! I’ve been trying to actively work on this for about five years now and it’s no easy task. With regard to decorating, I have concluded that a few well chosen and beloved pieces are showcased better when there is less “stuff” in the room. I think the photos you used in this post illustrate that perfectly. LESS IS MORE!
Linda Coble said:
Karen, I agree with Gretchen that simplifying your life is easier said than done. With that in mind, I’m going to give it my all in 2014. I doubt that I’ll ever get over my penchant for “stuff” entirely but I think I can reach a happy compromise. Loved your photos!
Karen B. said:
I just read some sage advice from a fellow blogger on this topic…keep only what you absolutely love. I’m giving that a try as we pack up our stuff in preparation for the floor re finishers arrival. Wish me luck
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Ricki Jill Treleaven said:
I wish you well on your journey to finding simplicity. It sounds like a worthy goal! I’m all about purging, sharing/donating, and organizing! So in a way, it’s also living with less and simplifying our home.
Happy New Year, Sweetie!
xo,
RJ
Karen B. said:
RJ, Me too…I enjoy giving some of the things away to friends and family that would like the item. Simplicity for me is just that, having less clutter. Not to say I won’t always enjoy some of the “treasures” I value, but its the stuff in cupboards I never use. Thanks for your kind comments, always. xo, Karen
Keri | Ivy Clad said:
Karen,
Simplicity is a perfect way to live the year! It sounds so wonderfully low-stress. My motto is to “live intentionally”. I’m trying to treasure every moment.
While reading this, I saw one of the pictures that I used in my current post at the top of your New Year post. I knew I had seen it before somewhere, but couldn’t remember where! So I added a link to your blog post under that photo on my “Comfort” blog. If I’ve seen something thru another person’s blog, I try to give credit. We bloggers are a community after all. Sorry for my snafu. And thank you for your visit and kind words today.
Have a great weekend!
Karen B. said:
Keri, I like your style…treasuring every moment. No need to apologize about the image. I try to be vigilant about crediting photos as well, but sometimes they slip through the cracks. Thanks for linking to my site. Have a wonderful weekend, it’s supposed to be mid-seventies here. I’m not bragging because I really wish we would get some rain and some winter weather. 🙂 Karen
Kelly - Talk of the House said:
I love the idea of simplifying things (good grief we have been doing that all week in my classes with fractions LOL) but it is not something I think I could do here. (Too many other folks in the house that I don’t “control”.) If I could come up with a word (or two) it would have to be “plan ahead.” I always feel like I am playing catch up, so planning ahead would help tremendously. Working on doing that in a new planner today…even rethinking how we “do” Christmas for next year. Your photographs in the post are gorgeous (as always!)
Karen B. said:
Kelly, I think you are much younger than me. Both of our sons are married with sweet wives and I’ve found that they don’t want all of the treasures I was certain they would. As a result, our sweet little cottage cannot stand the extra “stuff”. I will slowly but surely sell give away or donate some of the extra things that we have lovingly collected, amassed over our lifetime. 🙂
“Plan ahead” is a good goal too! xo, Karen
Teresa @ Splendid Sass said:
Simplicity it shall be!! I love the word and its meaning! My style is on the side of simple.
I hope that you have great 2014!
Teresa
xoxo
Karen B. said:
Teresa, Thanks, I think I’ll have to work hard to achieve this, but it’s a great goal and if Ican accomplish it even half the year, I’ll be happy. 🙂 Hope 2014 is a great year for us all! xo, Karen
Maureen Heenam said:
I think it is great to simplify. I am trying to do just that after many years of being a shopper. However, what disturbs me is what we are constantly being shown on Facebook and blogs, pictures of “GRAND” houses and rooms. Most people cannot afford such houses and furniture. We look at these photos and feel that what is wrong with us that we do not have this. Then we want more. So in this world it is hard to SIMPLIFY. I love pretty things, but things do not make us happy. The message we are shown every day is. “The more & bigger the better.”
Karen B. said:
Maureen, I agree, the pressure from media can sometimes make me feel like I need more. But as I’ve “matured” I realize how lucky I am with what I have and that I can enjoy my life more with less. It’s so nice to meet you, thank you for stopping by and joining in the chat. xo, Karen
Maureen Heenam said:
I agree. I too have matured and can walk away and be happy with what I have.
Sharon said:
I am definitely in the same space! I find that a space filled with too many things just makes me feel uncomfortable, anxious even! Simplicity in my home and my life in general is something I have been striving for for a while now. Beautiful pictures! X Sharon
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Sharon. It’s a long term goal for me too. However, it sure feels good to be analyzing life’s little things and determining the difference between need/want at this, the second week of January. I wonder if I’ll loose momentum by March! 🙂 xo, Karen
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