Category Archives: Create

Simple Living in Real Life: The Creative

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Brooke • 2 Comments

Simple Living in Real Life - Alicia Parsons of Akimbo

 

Simple Living in Real Life is a new series where we take a closer look at how different people approach simple living. The theory of “living with less” is straightforward enough, but how does that actually look in real life? Each interview in the series will delve into how different folks apply the ideas of simple living to their every day. Enjoy!

Simple Living in Real Life: The Creative

On average I receive one email a week from an avid crafter who desperately wants to simplify, but is struggling with their sizeable stash.

Considering I get my creative juices flowing with words on a screen these days, and that I’ve given away almost all my craft supplies, I am definitely not an expert on this.

But what better way to begin the new Simple Living in Real Life series than asking a talented, creative business-owner and crafter to share her simplicity tips.

Alicia Parsons is the boss lady behind Akimbo – an Australian stationery label. She is a graphic designer who creates ‘clever hellos’ and very beautiful, timeless art prints.

Simple Living in Real Life - Alicia Parsons of Akimbo

1. You’re a creative business-owner. Tell us about your work and the raw materials you need to create. 

On a daily basis I need my computer, printer, product inventory and shipping supplies. I also need regular access to things like my photography gear, invitation samples, marketing materials, stock envelopes and of course my art and craft supplies. Finally, there’s the periodically used items such as my expo/market stall setup, spare supplies, packaging materials and photo shoot props/backdrops. Oh, and of course the usual stuff like books, paperwork… the list goes on!

2. With physical supplies necessary for your business, how do you keep clutter minimal in your workspace?

I work in a very small space (our tiny second bedroom) and have a product-based business as well as a blog involving craft so it’s a constant battle to keep things under control. Here are some strategies that help me:

  • Going paperless wherever possible (is this ironic for a stationery business?!)
  • Not over-ordering supplies (sure, that bulk order of 5000 envelopes may be cheaper but where am I going to put them?)
  • Regularly decluttering (let’s be honest: I’m probably never going to use those fabric scraps)
  • Borrowing or hiring infrequently needed items (for example, photo shoot props, specialist craft tools, expo displays)

I’m actually considering outsourcing my warehousing and shipping to a fulfillment house which would dramatically decrease the amount of inventory I need to store.

 

Simple Living in Real Life - Alicia Parsons of Akimbo

 

3. Aside from your creative work, how do you embrace simplicity in everyday life?

I’m an organising machine from way back! I find great satisfaction in decluttering our home and making intentional choices about what belongs here. Like my parents, I would rather buy one thing I love rather than ten cheap, trendy things (hard when you have a decorating blog though!). Either when tempted in a shop or looking at my own home, I ask myself ‘Do I love or need this?’.

So that’s the physical stuff, I am good on that front. Simplicity in other ways – such as my time and commitments – is not something that comes naturally to me. I’m always trying to pile ‘one more thing’ onto my plate so it is a conscious effort to add more breathing space to my life. I’m getting better at saying ‘no’ and accepting my limitations. This is hard for me, but I try to remember that my friends come over to see me not a perfect house and the only person who cares whether that cake is homemade is me.

We also live in a small and modest home (2-bedroom unit) and started out with hand-me-down furniture until we saved for what we wanted. So many people our age were buying the three bedroom, two bathroom plus backyard combo. Which is great if that’s what they want and can afford, but I know some of them feel burdened by the cleaning, maintenance and big mortgage. We are happy with our choice and it works for us but we still occasionally get asked when we are buying a ‘real house’.

4. Do you have any storage/organisational tips to share?

Decluttering should always be the first step of any organising project: the less you have, the less there is to keep tidy. Choose versatile items that can be repurposed when your needs evolve and don’t just look in the storage aisle – you’ll find much more attractive storage elsewhere.

I could go into all the nitty-gritty, but the most important thing is to work with your own tendencies and lifestyle. Otherwise you’re fighting a losing battle. For example, if you prefer to work on your laptop from the comfort of your couch, stop worrying about putting your supplies back in the office every day, simply pop your charger, pens and notebook in an attractive lidded box on your coffee table where you actually use them.

Simple Living in Real Life - Alicia Parsons of Akimbo

 

Notice how – even though our work, living situation and circumstances differ – so many of the core ideas of simplicity can be found in Alicia’s space?  I love seeing these ideas applied!

It’s proof that simplicity doesn’t need to cramp your style.

 

Tell me, do you have any tips on how you embrace simplicity in your daily life?

 

If you would like to submit your home (part or all of it) or your workspace to Simple Living in Real Life, please click here and send me an email with some details. I’m really looking forward to featuring more simple living homes and workspaces soon.
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Filed Under: Create, House, Organise, Simple

The New York Times Best-Selling Author… and Me.

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Brooke • 15 Comments
Life Lessons from the Problogger Event

Mademoiselle Slimalicious, Seana Smith and me {via Smilebooth Aust}

 

Last Saturday I found myself sharing the stage with a New York Times best-selling author.

We were having a casual chat about this blog and my big ideas for its growth. In front of, you know, 200-odd people. It was…surreal.

I was at the ProBlogger Event in Melbourne and had volunteered to publicly workshop my ideas with Chris Guillebeau in one of the sessions. It was ridiculously wonderful – inspirational, educational, motivational. And while talk of e-books, content creation and engagement are incredibly interesting to me, that’s not what I want to share with you.

Instead, I want to share the three amazing life lessons I learnt there.

Three Life Lessons Learnt at ProBlogger Event

Yes, each of these was originally a lesson on blogging, but each of them is so poignant and beautiful that they apply perfectly to the life you’re creating. A life of simplicity, happiness and meaning. You can apply them to your life today, and you certainly don’t need to be a blogger to do so.

Lesson #1: Small Actions Add Up to Big Changes

What can you achieve in 15 minutes?

As an isolated unit of time, it’s not very significant. You may be able to hang the laundry, flick through the newspaper, go for a walk, write a few hundred words.

But if you commit to 15 minutes of action every single day, 15 minutes spent working towards a simpler life, this will have a huge impact.

15 minutes a day
1 3/4 hours a week
91.25 hours a year

In other words, 15 minutes a day gives you 11.8 working days a year in which to simplify and create the life you want.

Life is busy, I know. If you’re struggling to see where you can find those extra 15 minutes, think about these options:

  • Watch one less television show.
  • Wake 15 minutes earlier.
  • Get off Facebook.
  • Ask your partner to sit with the kids for 15 minutes in the morning or evening.

You can find 15 minutes a day. I know you can. It’s just a matter of committing to change.

It’s what you do with those 11.8 days a year that will change your life.

  • Write a book
  • Declutter your entire home
  • Start a business
  • Launch a website
  • Learn a language

15 minutes doesn’t sound significant, but look at what you can do with it. REMEMBER: Small actions add up to big changes.

Lesson #2: Be a Life-Long Student

I was in a room with some of the best and brightest wordsmiths and tech-heads in the country. These people know their stuff. They are experts. They are innovating an entire industry. And yet, they were there with their minds open, ready to learn.

You can never know everything. Ever.

This photo from Eden Riley speaks volumes. That’s Darren – the ProBlogger – sitting in on a session at his own event, open to learning. Listening, taking in the knowledge that filled the room.

darren rowse at problogger event - still learning

{via Eden Riley}

Lesson #3: Say Yes to Opportunity

Have you ever been faced with an opportunity – a brilliant, once in a lifetime opportunity – only to let it slip by as you stay seated, hands in lap, eyes cast down, silently praying you don’t get picked?

Trust me on this – you need to learn to say yes to opportunity.

That’s how I found myself sharing the stage with Chris Guillebeau.

The idea terrified me. But I recognised the opportunity and studiously ignored the shy voice in my head pleading, “No, no. Please. Get your hand down. I can’t possibly do that.” My hand went up and before I knew it, I was on the stage.

The payoff was immediate and incredible. I was literally inundated with ideas and feedback – invaluable ideas and feedback from some of the best in the business. The universe repaid my willingness to say yes, and it repaid me handsomely.

So learn to say yes to opportunity.

You will meet wonderful people. You will experience incredible things. You will surprise yourself every single time.

 

Those 3 Lessons Again:

#1 Small actions add up to big changes.
#2 Become a life-long student.
#3 Learn to say yes  to opportunity – even when it’s terrifying.

Learn them and apply them to your life. Today.

 

For those of you who missed the event, there are now Virtual Tickets available to buy, allowing you online access to the slides and audio of each session. I’ve already listened to some of the sessions I missed and will definitely be referring back to those I attended – that’s how packed full of info they were.

Over 21 hours of audio on blogging, online marketing and internet business – delivered by some of the best bloggers, authors and businesspeople in the world. My favourites were Shayne Tilley’s session on launching a product and James Tuckerman’s keynote. Amazing.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Virtual Ticket, click here and see what else is included*.

(*Affiliate link – meaning I will receive a commission if you purchase the Virtual Ticket through this link. Regardless, I would be recommending this anyway – it is that good.)

 

What was the last life-changing experience you had? How did it change you?

 

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Filed Under: Create, Simple

On Pursuing Your Passion

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Brooke • 6 Comments
you could make a wish or make it happen

{via Wicked Paper}

Pursue your passion. Discover your purpose. Find your happiness.

It’s advice we’re told time and time again. And it’s not bad advice.

In fact, I’m walking proof that discovering your passion and living it can lead to untold happiness. I can safely say – pursuing your passion is good advice.

But what if you don’t know how to discover your passion?

What if you know what your passion is, but have no idea where to begin?

What if you need to kick things up a notch, but don’t have the skills yet?

 

Since posting The September Summary on Monday I’ve received numerous emails from people asking these questions.

The short answer to each question is one and the same – experimentation.

I have always loved writing, but for years I didn’t do any. Instead I experimented with other hobbies and interests.

I ran my own jewellery label for four years. I was big into the handmade movement, crafting up a storm. I was an avid film watcher, devouring everything I could about movie-making. I lost myself in gardening. I began a floristry course. Became enamoured with snowboarding.

But, over time, I came back to writing. Slowly words returned to me.

First I was determined to write a screenplay. Then a children’s television series. I began writing a book based on mine and Sparky’s travel adventures. I had three blogs before I began this one. I was a voracious journaller.

Eventually I arrived here. Writing about creating a simple life. Building a beautiful community. Discovering opportunities I’d never dreamed of. And it feels right. It feels like home.

I’ll never tire of it like I did my other interests. It’s what I do even when I’m exhausted. It’s what wakes me up and finds me writing at 3am. And not out of obligation, but out of sheer joy.

Some days it feels like work – I have to grind through the words, just like anyone – but it never feels like a job.

How To Discover Your Passion

I couldn’t possibly sum it up any better than Leo Babauta from Zen Habits in his post “The Short But Powerful Guide to Finding Your Passion”

I told you this wouldn’t be easy. It’ll require a lot of reflection and soul-searching, at first, then a lot of courage and learning and experimentation, and finally a lot of commitment.

But it’s all worth it — every second, every ounce of courage and effort. Because in the end, you’ll have something that will transform your life in so many ways, will give you that reason to jump out of bed, will make you happy no matter how much you make.

Take a look at the entire post – it’s a beautiful, inspiring read.

 

How To Begin

Starting something new is daunting. You’re faced with the possibility of failure. Of looking silly. Of breaking your face, like I did. (If your new passion happens to be snowboarding.)

But the best way to begin pursuing your passion is just that. To begin.

Take baby steps. First work out what fills you with fire, what gets you excited.

Read about it. The internet is a passion-chaser’s dream. Whatever you are pursuing, you will find the information you need online. You can find tutorials, blueprints, step-by-step guides and case studies. Just become a sponge.

Experiment. Try new things. Challenge yourself to complete a task in a set period of time. Throw yourself into your new interest. You will know soon enough if it truly is a passion.

How to Take Things To the Next Level

Of all the emails I received this week, many have been from writers and bloggers wanting to know how I work to improve my writing and how I’ve grown the community of Slow Your Home so quickly.

And while I feel quite unqualified to talk about it, I do know any improvements I’ve made in the last 6 months come down to two things:

Knowledge and Persistence.

I study the best. I read their blogs. I dissect their posts. I take their courses. I buy their books. I try to emulate them. I practice. I understand there will always be room for improvement. I know I’ll never be done with my learning. I am a sponge.

It’s not sexy, but it appears to be working.

 

Building that Knowledge

Because I want to continue to improve as a writer, and because I want to create a bigger, even more amazing community here, I am heading to Melbourne next weekend.

I’ll be learning from the best. Gleaning every bit of information I can from them so I can turn around and improve what I do.

I’m attending the ProBlogger Training Event, where I will listen to presentations from Darren Rowse, Chris Gillebeau, Chantelle Ellem, Sarah Wilson, Nicole Avery and some of the best writers in the country. It sold out in a matter of days and to say I’m excited is quite the understatement.

Today I have an amazing opportunity for my fellow bloggers and writers. For the first time ever, there will be All Access Virtual Tickets available to the event.

This means you get access to full recordings of all sessions, as well as complete slide presentations. The program is jam-packed with more than 20 of these sessions, so this pass is absolutely worth its weight in gold. If I wasn’t lucky enough to be attending, I would most definitely be purchasing one of these passes.

If you’re interested in attending the Problogger Event virtually, click here for more information – including the full program – and to buy your ticket.*

 

Pursuing Your Passion Takes Work

Regardless of where your passion lies, there is work involved in discovering it, learning it and constantly improving it.

But it is work that you will never regret.

“Because in the end, you’ll have something that will transform your life in so many ways, will give you that reason to jump out of bed, will make you happy…”

Leo Babauta, Zen Habits

 

 

(*This is an affiliate link, meaning I will receive a small commission if you purchase your pass using this particular link. Thanks in advance.)

xx

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Filed Under: Create, Happiness

What to do With Young Picasso’s Masterpieces.

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Brooke • 5 Comments

What to do With Your Kids Artworks

I used to know all the answers.

In fact, before I had kids, I was the best parent around. There wasn’t a problem I couldn’t find a solution to. A tantrum I couldn’t have turned around with a combination of patience, psychology and tickling. I was confident in my parenting abilities.

But then, you know, I actually became a parent.

I used to think that those parents who keep all their children’s artworks masterpieces were a bit demented. Who the hell wants to keep Peanut’s scribbles?!

Sure, keep one, but really? All of them?

Then Isla started bringing home artwork from pre-school.

“These are for you, Mummy. I made them special.”

 

Oh…right. Now I see.

Suddenly I understood the desire to honour our little one’s creativity. Measure how far she has come in six months. Sit back and think, “Well, obviously she’s a prodigy. Honey, call MENSA!”

 

Actually, I still don’t think it’s wise (or helpful) to keep every drawing your kids produce. By the time they reach high school, you will quite literally have boxes and boxes of the stuff. And, honestly, do you think Junior will want them? Will he take them to Uni? When he moves out? Gets married?

I don’t think so.

 

So What Can You Do? You Can’t Just Throw Them Away.

Well, you could… But I don’t.

We use a combination of a revolving art gallery, a memory box and framing and hanging some artworks permanently. This is our way of keeping on top of the constant stream of artwork that Isla produces.

I’ll give her that – the kid’s prolific.

 

How to Create a Revolving Gallery to Display Kids Art

  1. Select a space on the wall – in the playroom, a hallway, wherever works in your home.
  2. Make this the designated gallery space for the kids art.
  3. Create a way of showcasing the art. There are some awesome ideas to be found here on Pinterest.
  4. When the kids complete an artwork, it can go up in the gallery.
  5. At the end of school term, or the change of seasons, or simply when it’s full, take all the art down.
  6. The gallery is now ready for the new masterpieces.
  7. Once the artwork is down, get each of your kids to choose one or two pieces – their favourites or ones they are most proud of.
  8. These are the ones to keep.
  9. They can go into the memory box, or, if you want to, frame one of them to display in the house. (I have a post later in the week that shows you how to display kids art tastefully.)

 

What’s a Memory Box?

For each of our kids I have a large plastic tub with a lid that is their memory box. In it go special birthday cards, one or two keepsakes from when they were babies (literally, one or two) and their artworks.

The beauty of a memory box is that it is finite. There will only ever be one memory box per child, so it’s necessary to keep the crap to a minimum.

And for the time in the future when that box does get full, then we know it’s time to sort through it.

 

But, I Feel Mean…

While I do see the value in keeping our kids creations, you have to ask yourself,

“Why am I really doing this?”

Is it out of guilt? Fear that you will regret not keeping them? Fear that the kids will be upset when they’re older?

 

What I do know is I don’t want to be the person to burden our kids with unnecessary clutter when they are grown. And I certainly don’t want them to feel any kind of guilt or expectation, after I had held on to these things for so long.

 

What do you do with your kids artworks?

 

 

We are not stupid. We know things are out of control, we are worn out, over-committed, struggling under the clutter. But how to change? How to start living a slower, simpler life?
Join the Slow Home BootCamp – a free 20-part email course – that will kickstart your Slow Home journey. Learn more and sign up right here.

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Filed Under: Create, Family

Don’t Save Your Stickers

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Brooke • 8 Comments

don't save your stickers

When I was a kid I thought getting stickers was just about the best thing. Ever.

  • Stickers for a birthday present.
  • Stickers as a treat from Mum if I was well-behaved at the shops.
  • Stickers in a show bag.
  • Stickers in books.

Stickers were awesome. So pretty. So brightly coloured. So…limited.

Once a sticker was peeled off the backing sheet, stuck on the page and admired for a moment, it was done.

No longer usable, the excitement always dissipated.

And if you try to peel it off the page and re-stick it, you’re likely to peel the paper away too – leaving you with a ripped page and a useless sticker. Trust me.

 

Great. Why the Hell Am I Telling You This?

I was a pretty cautious kid. I didn’t want to make mistakes, disappoint anyone, regret a decision. (I remember crying at night for at least a week because I decided I didn’t want to do gymnastics class anymore and was terrified that mum and dad would be upset. They totally weren’t.)

So do you know what I did with the majority of my stickers?

 

I left them on their backing paper and tucked them away somewhere safe. Maybe in my desk drawer, or a dedicated sticker box.

Saved them for a special occasion. A project that was worth using them on.

And guess what?

I never used them.

 

When I was older and was being forced by my mum choosing responsibly to tidy up and declutter my room I found these abandoned stickers and admired them once again.

But the time to use them had passed. I was into Presidents of the United States of America, op-shopping and basketball. (An enigma is what I was.) Stickers had no place in my life.

The opportunity to experience the joy and beauty and creativity of using them had passed me by.

Don’t let this happen to you. Don’t discover too late, that you had something of joy and beauty at your fingertips, only to let it slip by, too afraid to “use it all up” or break it.

We’re Not Talking About Stickers Anymore, Are We?

If you keep one thing in mind this weekend – it’s this:

Don’t Save Your Stickers.

Use them. Whenever the mood strikes. With wild abandon if possible.

Enjoy the rush. Embrace the feeling of living in the moment.

 

(No, we’re not really talking about stickers anymore.)

It’s a well-covered cliche, but important enough to state again:

  • Use the “good” china. So what if it gets chipped? It’s being used. That’s a good thing.
  • Drink your cheap wine from the crystal goblets – they’re just gathering dust.
  • Wear that fancy perfume – even if it is only to playgroup.
  • That perfect coloured, expensive lipstick? Put it on! You will look beautiful, even if you’re in your pyjamas.
  • That gorgeous hand cream? Slather it on, or you’ll find it has gone out of date.
  • Let your kids paint. Isn’t it there to be used?!
  • Jump in muddy puddles. And stop pretending you don’t enjoy it. Who cares about the laundry?! You’re the one who does it anyway.

 

Stop Saving Your Stickers, Folks.

Otherwise one day, you will rediscover them, only to realise the time to use them has passed.

 

What stickers will you use this weekend?

The kids and I have a painting date, and Sparky and I will enjoy a $10 cleanskin from $200 crystal wine glasses. (Cause we’re fancy like that.)

 

We are not stupid. We know things are out of control, we are worn out, over-committed, under pressure. But how to change? How to start living a slower, simpler life?
Join the Slow Home BootCamp – a free 20-part email course – that will kickstart your Slow Home journey. Learn more and sign up right here.

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Filed Under: Create, Family