Crush and Covet Looks for the Simple Things

Back in the day we’d all make resolutions to work out more, or replace bread with more vegetables, or declutter our junk drawers, and while many of us still do that, the word that comes up a lot in conversation around a new year is SIMPLIFY.

Simplify means different things to everyone with whom I speak. For some it’s going old school with a paper organizer. For others it’s bringing more music or fun (Hello! At-home alcohol maker!) into their lives. But for all of us it’s about figuring out what works for us and running with it.

Glynis Ratcliffe – This is what I’m using to simplify my life, as of last week! After a few years of trying to do my life organizing solely through digital means, I’ve decided I want to try going hard copy again. Seeing my to-do’s each day, writing them out, moving the ones forward that I didn’t accomplish, even if it’s just a workout, is helping me be more productive. Plus, it’s SO PRETTY!!

Candace Derickx – I have simple needs in life. Good coffee, great friends, alcohol. This machine turns fruit into alcohol. FRUIT. INTO. ALCOHOL. I mean, sure it’s impressive that Jesus turned water to wine, but I think he may have finally been one-upped.

Carrie Cargill – This one is easy! And I’ve already made it AND put it to good use…a vintage charging station for electronics. It keeps the mess off my kitchen counter, ensures we always find our phones, and that they’re always fully charged.

Leslie Foster – With this elegantly designed Bose, Bluetooth-enabled speaker, I can stream music from my PC, Tablet, or phone and listen anywhere in the house. It even has an auxiliary port to plug in an MP3 player. The ultra-compact speaker fits in the palm of my hand, allowing me to easily carry it from room to room so I can listen to my music in the office, the bedroom, the kitchen, or on the treadmill. Though it may be small in size, it delivers big, room-filling sound. The 10-hour battery life means I can listen all day without putting it back to recharge in its docking station.  Its built-in speakerphone allows you to take calls out loud too.

Katja Wulfers – Instead of vowing I’m going to be a better mom-friend-wife, or lose weight, or get organized, I changed my tactic this year. I burnt every single to-do list on New Year’s Eve and instead focus on doing what I can every day, shutting down work when my family is together, and making time to fit in fun things. So…what’s fun for me? History and archaeology. And to make my fun dreams come true, I listen to history podcasts—podcasts are my new addiction!—on my daily commute and I’ve enrolled in an online osteoarchaeology course.