Plant Based Bride

Living With Less: The Series! Beginning My Minimalism Journey

This past year has been an incredible one. I met Jason, worked on a cruise ship for 6 months doing what I love, got engaged, visited 6 new countries and countless new cities, and did quite a bit of learning and growing on a personal level. 180+ nights at sea in a row really give you time to soul-search and contemplate your life's direction. It also requires you to pack your whole life up into two large, very overstuffed, suitcases. As you might have gathered, my minimalism journey began a bit against my will. But something incredible happened when I was packing up my cabin to return home: I realized I could have lived with even less than two suitcases worth for those 6 months. That I could have lived on FAR less. Maybe for some of you that doesn't seem like anything earth-shattering, but for me? That was a big deal! I've always had trouble letting go of things as I'm very sentimental yet practical (meaning I love the memories attached to material goods as much as their possible utility later on), so this realization surprised me. I lived out of two suitcases, a backpack, and a tiny guitar case for 6 months? And I could have done without almost half of what I brought? Me??

Minimalism, LifestyleElizabeth TurnbullSeptember 15, 2015living with less, living with less series Comments

5 Steps for Setting Great Goals

I've always thought that goal setting on January 1st was a bit funny. I don't mean the goal setting, of course, but the specific date. I'm not the only one, right? While I understand the appeal (I am incredibly organized and that part of me loves the simplicity and symmetry) I always wondered what the point was of waiting as many as 11 months just to start a new habit. And yet, despite knowing better, I tend to wait for special dates to review and reiterate my goals. So sue me! Entering a new year of life seems like as good a time to remind myself of what I'm striving for as any, and since I recently had a birthday, I've had goals on the brain. Here are my 5 steps to setting great goals (and a fun freebie)!