At the end of the month, I want to be honest with you in an update about how my goals to live more simply have been going. Success or fail, this is my June update…
June was a busy month. Even though we are not yet out of school (at least in my house), the kids were enrolled in a twice weekly music camp.
This added expense was well worth it though because music is part of their curriculum and it also gave them a chance to have teachers other than me, rules other than mine.
Along with that, I spent more than I liked on a few impulse buys, but also spent time with an old friend and slowed down enough to talk with some new ones.
I also found myself really reevaluating my parenting and where it’s coming from. Fear or love? I was inspired to look into myself after reading Crystal Paine’s Love-Centered Parenting.
So….
Here is my June update on the goals I succeeded at or struggled with this month.
UPDATE: My Year of Simple – June
[Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see below for more details]
No Spend Year
My June update on spending includes buying a hard-to-find book for my daughter, music camp for the kids, and getting ice cream during a heat wave.
- Book purchase- I really tried, but I could not find this My Little Pony book anywhere and my youngest kids aren’t into e-books. So I bit the bullet and bought it. I can’t feel any guilt though when I hear her through her closed bedroom door singing the songs like she’s performing on Broadway.
- Keeping my grocery budget to $600 – Except for a steak dinner for Father’s Day (homecooked), we nailed this one. Finally. Eating what we have, repurposing ingredients, and getting creative has really helped. That and my oldest is intrigued by plant-based diets, which is much cheaper than meat-eating.
-
Photo courtesy of Ian Dooley Music camp – We received some generous scholarships so there wasn’t much spent on this opportunity. This was considered a homeschool expenditure as it covers many parts of their music study.
- Ice cream – We are in the middle of an awful heat wave here and my car’s air conditioner only works on alternating hours. While my son was in an appointment, I caved and walked next door for some ice cream. Strawberry. Absolutely worth breaking my rules for.
Simplifying the Clutter
Currently, we are mostly just decluttering our chest freezer and minivan. However, while I did add donated yarn to my craft stock, I also have been working through my book pile. Here’s my June update on what’s been going on:
- We decluttered 1,500 items so far – Just a small change. This mostly accounts for the books that have gone back to the library. I will be spending my month off in July tackling my classroom. The yarn was donated and I will be using it to make blankets, first for the kids, then as either gifts or donations.
- My schedule is really full – This isn’t going well, if an empty calendar were my goal. But it turns out that my kids need certain resources to help them so I am glad we have the ability to get those services, despite my need to carry snacks and reading material in my van now. The good news is that I can work during these appointments, making more free time when I am home.
- My TBR pile is shrinking – Another positive of all this car time/waiting time is that I have time to read, so I am returning more library books than I am getting. The MMD Summer Reading Guide has definitely put more on my TBR stack, but they usually don’t stay there long. And once my classroom is cleaned up, even more will be donated as my youngest child moves up a grade.
Less Micromanaging
Have you ever heard yourself speak only to imagine that you were the one hearing those exact same words directed at you? And then felt bad about it? Yeah, I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. Here’s my June update on how that’s changed things…
- Acting from love, not fear – I recently wrote a post about this. Realizing that I am often responding and reproving my kids out of fear (of others’ perceptions, a lack of respect, etc.) and not love has made me rethink a lot of my parenting. Checking this in myself before I talk to my kids has helped me make some better decisions before I speak.
- I showed them how to make a schedule – I wanted the kids to see how much time they really had, as well as what needed to be done each day to avoid forgetting important items until the end (and making me crazy). While it was too labor intensive to write one for each kid, each day, I showed them how helpful it was. Some of the kids were only mildly interested, but a couple started making their own. I consider that a win.
- Ceding control – I’m starting to realize I have to let go a little more each day as my children get older. I have to distinguish between the parenting rules that matter (no lying) and the ones that are not as important (no drinking soda). Better they safely stretch their wings now than go full force without a net later. This month I am trying to be calm in the face of change, both in my kids and in my role.
Living a Life of Less Hurry
This June update includes how I’ve made more time for people, more time for my family, but not necessarily more time for myself.
- More time for people – Lunch with friends. Wandering through Koreatown with my college roommate while reminiscing. Having a morning chat with a fellow walker. These are a few things that have helped me slow down and prioritize relationships.
- Spending more time with my family – It doesn’t seem to count when we’re driving places (in their eyes) so I’ve been drawing with them, playing board games, and listening to their gardening explanations. I’m missed my spouse date for a couple of weeks due to scheduling issues, but hope to get back on track this coming week.
- Feeling overwhelmed – There’s a lot on my plate this month and by the end of the day, I just want to lose myself in a book. Preferably something fluffy and/or formulaic. This next month, I’m going to try cutting out some quiet time for a relaxing project while school is out.
That’s about it for the June update. While it feels like there were only a few changes, I have high hopes for the time summer break will offer. Slowing down, decluttering my classroom, and spending time with my family are going to be my main focuses.
How are your 2021 goals going? Which ones are succeeding at this half-year mark, and which are still a struggle? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or on social media! #thejourneyathome
Interested in more posts on goals and simple living? Check out some of these:
Tips for Parenting with Patience and Love
How to Homeschool on a Shoestring Budget
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
Leave a Reply