A Little Rosemary and Time

Experiencing life through trial, error and lots of food.

by

Simple Pleasures & The Right to be Happy

I’ve started and deleted this post half a dozen times now, trying to figure out exactly what I want to put down.

This past week and the current one has been spent boxing things up, going through old memories both good and bad and getting rid of as much as possible. I have an innate fear of the past and I’ve always worried about unearthing old memories I don’t particularly want to remember- awkward moments of growing pains in both high school and college specifically. While we all go through them but it doesn’t mean I want to remember them. I used to hold onto old notebooks and sketchpads on the idea that one day I’d look back and be glad I did. This time however I’ve been going into my boxed away memories with a different plan. All the things I’ve learned and done in my life I take pleasure in for having grown into the person that I am because of it, however that doesn’t mean I need to hold onto items that don’t bring me joy. I’ve possibly been reading too much into the notion of minimalistic lifestyles but I’ve realized that I want as little things around me as possible and I only want to surround myself with things I need and things that bring me joy (ideally they would fit both categories).

When going through things in the apartment and deciding what should be packed up and what should go away, I’ve come to realize that one of the main things that has brought me stress and frustration on a daily basis has come from clutter. Even arguments that I’ve had from Mr. C I’ve realized often come from dirty dishes or coats left around, tables covered in junk so that we can’t enjoy dinner at the table- all of it stems from clutter, which comes from excess stuff.

More and more I’ve come to realize that I don’t deserve things. I don’t deserve happiness but I believe I deserve the right to fight for it.

I’ve been taking more pleasure in simple things like the weight of a teapot in my hand or the grain of my unfinished wooden table or my quiet morning ritual- the drink I have each morning to start my day. It’s one that is simple with only 2-3 ingredients but is a calm and healthy way to wake up my body and my digestion and prepare it for the day to come. These days I drink it as I survey the chaos of boxes and stuff that has become of my apartment and decide on what to pack next.

Cider Water

Serves 1
12 oz Warm Water
1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tsp Honey (optional)

I usually turn the water on hot in the faucet and leave it until it gets warm. During this time I measure out the cider vinegar (I prefer unfiltered) and the honey into a glass before filling the glass with warm water and stirring until the honey is melted.

  • I couldn’t agree with the sentiment of this post more!! I too have been feeling anxious frequently and I realize most of my anxiety stems from the clutter in my life, in every aspect but especially from the things I have accumulated over the years. Slowly but surely I’ve been picking through closets and piles and just purging and it feels SO good!

    • I’ve always said that a cluttered physical space leads to a cluttered mental space but it’s only been recently that I’ve made the connection with “clutter” and actually getting rid of things (rather than just organizing). Hopefully I’ll continue making progress with getting rid of stuff!

  • Brittany’s Pantry

    Moving is NEVER stress free, or easy. Take it slow and consider it an adventure. 🙂

    • Thanks- it certainly has been an adventure!

  • grace

    the effort it takes to make this drink is about all i can be expected to put forth first thing in the morning! i believe we all need to pause and be thankful for simple pleasures!

    • Simple pleasures and habits are especially important first thing in the morning! 😀

  • I too have been on a year-ish long effort to declutter and minimize. It’s not always easy, emotional attachments to things run deep and then when I’ve gotten rid of things comparisons can pop up that make me want to start accumulating all over again, but I’ve definitely had less stress as I’ve continued to work toward having less stuff. Great post and I hope your decisions continue to bring you happiness throughout your move!

    • Thank you! I wish I could just make all the “excess” go away at once (and I had hoped that moving would allow me to do that) but I’ve found that (for me, at least) it really is just a process that takes time that I will have to work through. I’m glad to hear it’s been working out for you though 🙂 Hopefully it’ll work for me too!

  • I love where you wrote, “I’ve been taking more pleasure in simple things.” Yes! I strive for that too. I want delight in those tiny moments that collectively are the inner workings a beautiful life. Lovely post.

    • Thank you so much for your kind words!

  • Love this post! I’m a firm believer in decluttering your life. It helps force me to focus on what’s really important and why.