Seeking moments | 2021 reflections
This time of year, it seems change is in the air. For some it’s uncomfortable or even unattainable, but I’ve always embraced change because it pushes us to grow. I don’t typically make new year resolutions, but I do spend time reflecting and setting some intentions.
2021 was a year of change for me. I decided to leave my comfortable corporate job in the middle of the pandemic - with no plan. That’s very unlike me! While I miss the people, I’m lucky to have the chance to grow personally, to spend more time with family, and focus on what brings me joy.
Speaking of joy…my partner and I have been together for a long time. We were gearing up to start a large-scale renovation project this year, but the pandemic proved to be a challenge. We decided to postpone and move back into our home as-is.
As difficult as that process has been, the most significant thing also happened in 2021. The love of my life proposed! And I’m giving my all to building our new life together.
Another big accomplishment was starting this blog. I’ve always been a writer (even in my career) so it seemed like a natural fit. I love connecting with so many amazing creatives in this space, but I’ve felt inauthentic at times navigating this environment (particularly social media).
I kept wondering why I felt overwhelmed and at the same time, like I wasn’t doing enough. So I took a step back. While taking down Christmas decorations, it sort of hit me. While my fiancé was sad to see the decorations go, I was relieved. I love the warmth and coziness of the holidays, but the clutter is hard for me. I don’t claim to be a total neat freak, but I’ve always admired orderly spaces and feel so much more at ease when things are in their place.
I started doing a little research and thinking back on my own experiences. While flipping through the beautiful book by Lauren Liess, Feels Like Home, I stopped on a quote that resonated with me: “We cannot have true freedom when we are living with more than we need…Create room for life.”
I realized that at my core, I’m a “practical minimalist.” So basically, there is a term for constantly decluttering! And that includes the digital realm as well.
In all seriousness though, I think I’ve been a *type of minimalist all my life. I didn’t have extravagant things growing up. But I had all that I needed - a warm home, a loving family, food, clothes, etc. I used to keep a journal of my outfits so I could repurpose clothes, mixing and matching staple items. Reflecting on that now, I think that’s impacted my spending habits as an adult. When I moved west, I fit everything I owned into my car (a sedan). I moved into a small room in a shared apartment, so I always had just enough (nearly all my money went to rent!). I also got more into fashion living in a big city. However, the Bay Area will teach you to be practical because fog is freezing and heels are no friend of the hills.
I didn’t care so much about the things. I was living my dream, and each day brought new adventures and exciting moments.
Despite disliking clutter, I’ve always had small closets so I’d spend hours, days, weeks organizing and making sure things had a place. Quality over quantity was always my mindset.
With a home of my own now, we certainly have more space but with that comes more stuff. And honestly, more stuff has never made me happy. Even when I did start purchasing more, I only splurged on items that I knew I’d be able to use for years. Since our house is slowly coming together, I thought it’d be fun to pivot more towards casual style - be it entertaining at home or capsule outfits - with a focus on shopping local and sustainable brands (with a little luxury mixed in).
All of this to say that while I’m nowhere near perfect, I’ve always been authentic and that will remain a consistent value of mine - and a reflection of this space. The essence of Southerly in the City has always been to enjoy the little things in life. How do you harness that “sit on the porch” lifestyle in a fast-paced world? How can you live with more intention and make room for what you love?
With that, I hope you continue to find connection and inspiration here. Follow along as we navigate living more simply, sometimes splurging, and always enjoying the moments in life more than the things. 🖤
