I once read something that said that we should try to reframe how we say things... instead of "I don't have time to make myself a healthy breakfast", try saying "I do not make having a healthy breakfast a priority" and see how it makes you feel. In that example, you could set your alarm earlier to make sure you have time to eat well. If you are cool with it not being a priority, that's ok. If it makes you ashamed, make a change.
I have tried my own take on this recently, examining my day to list out "things I made time for" and "things I did not make time for". It holds me more accountable to my time management and prioritising.
If I managed to make time for things like...
Browsing Pinterest
Multiple posts on 2 separate instagram accounts
Searching for old school friends on social media to see what they are up to
An hour long phone call to my sister
Ripping a sheet into a ball of yarn for homeschool coop
But did NOT make time for things like...
Exercising
Getting down and playing with the kids on their level
Eating a healthy lunch (instead of whipping through a drive thru)
Creating learning opportunities with the kids
Doing the dishes
... then my priorities are out of whack. I was going to write today's list down to share, but today I actually did well. Its only taken a few days of having lists that made me ashamed, to make some changes. I actually DID exercise today (massive for me!) I set up a youtube aerobics routine on the laptop and managed to break a sweat and not kick my Sun in the head as he chased me around the living room wanting to be picked up. I made a healthy breakfast AND a healthy lunch. I went outside with my Sun in the morning even though I got hammered by mosquitos. The dishes and the washing got done and put away!
Accountability list for the win
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Blind Box Toys
You know when magazines go and interview celebrities and millionaires in their own homes? I don't think I have EVER seen one of their homes look cluttered. Or even busy.
My daughter was into collecting alllll the blind box toys. Sonny Angels. Shopkins. Zelfs. Funko. Tokidoki. If she didn't know what was going to be in the box, she NEEDED it. I am willing to bet the children of celebrities don't have a full collection of Shopkins. The thrill for kids is not in the HAVING, its in the HUNTING. Being able to afford and receive all of them at once is a short lived thrill.
I believe these kinds of toys are aimed at middle class families. It creates an air of false abundance, to finally have ALL of something. The thing is, it never ends. The next "season" is usually released before you are even done collecting the one before it. It keeps us forever poor, spending all of our money on collectibles. The cheeky fuckers get us by stocking them at the supermarket and its "only $3" for a pack.
I'm trying to teach my children to be comfortable being in the state of "want". There is something you may want, yes. Once you have it, something else usually replaces it as your new "want". So there isn't any rush. You will still be wanting either way, so ask yourself whether you REALLY need it. What will it actually add to your life? Is it practical? Will it bring long term joy? Is it worth giving your precious dollars to "the enemy"?
I think I am getting there. My daughter sold 90% of her collectibles, and downsizes regularly. She used to spend her pocket money before she had even received it "I'll pay you back, Mummy!". Nowadays her money accumulates in a jar, sometimes without being touched for weeks. Some days she chooses to shout us all lunch, and then a fresh juice. My instinct is to say "oh that's so nice of you! But I can pay for lunch" but I let her for a few reasons. 1: FREE LUNCH! 2: it gives her the opportunity to be generous and 3: as far as spending money goes, buying food to share with loved ones is a much better investment than a tiny plastic figure.
Right?
My daughter was into collecting alllll the blind box toys. Sonny Angels. Shopkins. Zelfs. Funko. Tokidoki. If she didn't know what was going to be in the box, she NEEDED it. I am willing to bet the children of celebrities don't have a full collection of Shopkins. The thrill for kids is not in the HAVING, its in the HUNTING. Being able to afford and receive all of them at once is a short lived thrill.
I believe these kinds of toys are aimed at middle class families. It creates an air of false abundance, to finally have ALL of something. The thing is, it never ends. The next "season" is usually released before you are even done collecting the one before it. It keeps us forever poor, spending all of our money on collectibles. The cheeky fuckers get us by stocking them at the supermarket and its "only $3" for a pack.
I'm trying to teach my children to be comfortable being in the state of "want". There is something you may want, yes. Once you have it, something else usually replaces it as your new "want". So there isn't any rush. You will still be wanting either way, so ask yourself whether you REALLY need it. What will it actually add to your life? Is it practical? Will it bring long term joy? Is it worth giving your precious dollars to "the enemy"?
I think I am getting there. My daughter sold 90% of her collectibles, and downsizes regularly. She used to spend her pocket money before she had even received it "I'll pay you back, Mummy!". Nowadays her money accumulates in a jar, sometimes without being touched for weeks. Some days she chooses to shout us all lunch, and then a fresh juice. My instinct is to say "oh that's so nice of you! But I can pay for lunch" but I let her for a few reasons. 1: FREE LUNCH! 2: it gives her the opportunity to be generous and 3: as far as spending money goes, buying food to share with loved ones is a much better investment than a tiny plastic figure.
Right?
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Hi, I'm the Zookeeper
In the spirit of minimalism, lets keep this first post short and simple.
Why Minimal in a Zoo? If you've ever tried to think of a blog name that hasn't already been taken, you wouldn't ask.
I'm a minimalist and I unschool my two children. It's zoo enough, most days.
I hope to use this blog as a journal to document my journey from op shop addict/hoarder to minimalist! So far, so good.
Goodnight
Why Minimal in a Zoo? If you've ever tried to think of a blog name that hasn't already been taken, you wouldn't ask.
I'm a minimalist and I unschool my two children. It's zoo enough, most days.
I hope to use this blog as a journal to document my journey from op shop addict/hoarder to minimalist! So far, so good.
Goodnight
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