New year, new dreams - but what to dream about???

Stories from last week when internet was not cooperating...


Happy 2016 everyone! I hope your year has started off with a bang. We spent five wonderful weeks in Finland (in the loving care of my mother) and were able to re-connect with some of our loved ones. Sadly the time wasn’t enough – or we were too lazy – to catch up with everyone, but hey, I guess that is a good motivation boost to go back again sometime soon.

I’ve been trying to work on a post that would best describe what I want from 2016. I even started to work on my spring 2016 idea board, but sadly – or not – I’ve hit a slump. Not so much in life, it’s as busy as usual, but more so in my dreams and hopes and plans.

We’ve set a MASSIVE goal as a family to gain some financial freedom this year. Nothing insane like “Let’s try and win the jackpot-bingo-lottery-raffle" but rather in managing our finances responsibly, working on some buffers and clearing some debt that we have accumulated over the years of relaxed consumerism. This also means that I note down every, yes EVERY, income and expense into our home budget app. Still trying to turn it into a routine.

I’m also working on some very personal goals of reaching a massive dream of my own: having my own gymnastics hall this year. While it seems to be becoming reality, I’m struggling to grasp it fully. Somehow, the fact that it is actually happening is making me freak out. While it was just a dream, it didn’t seem so daunting. 

I still want to set some personal goals, and quite surprisingly losing weight is NOT on my list. Yay. I would even call that personal growth. But balance, simplifying, family time, good food and exercise are on my top 10 list. But as most lifestyle gurus say, the goals should be specific and tangible so I will work on these topics once my head clears out.

We lost some loved ones last week, I lost my amazing and loving mummu (grandmother) and Tonny lost a close friend. The emotional roller coaster that I went through last week was not easy. At times I felt overwhelmed with emotions of missed opportunities and regrets and of unfinished business. Saying goodbye over the phone was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I know mummu is now in a happy place, with her husband and watching over me and my family in Africa. But last week I really wished I was able to go back in time, a day, a week, a month. She was a very special person to me, and I hope she knew that. I will miss her dearly.

It's a rainy day in Dar es Salaam today. While in practice it means huge pools of water on the roads and massive traffic jams, I do love the quick break from sun shine and the freshness in the air. It's a perfect excuse to sit down and relax with a cup of hot lemon water and the last rye-cheese-tomato sandwich made of Finnish cheese. 

wardrobe update

I have read. And re-read. And Pinned and googled, anything and everything about minimalist wardrobe. There several main stream solutions for this. There is project 333 where you choose 33 pieces of clothes to use for three months. Emphasis is mainly on finding items that match that you can keep combining and changing outfits all the time. And then there is 10 item wardrobe by the Daily connoisseur, who two times a year creates a 10 item wardrobe of beautiful outfits and then sticks to those until the next season. None of these seem to fit perfectly. But I think I am finding my path to my minimalist closet.

I don't need to have everything match. 10 items seem a bit extreme, but what attracts me in that one is that she focuses on rather having 10 perfect, high quality outfits that hundreds of H&M pieces that unravel within months. A good example is underwear. I have been struggling to find good underwear in Tanzania. Firstly all except one set from Finland has lived its life. Sadly last time I was in Finland I didn't focus on quality, and living in 30+ degrees with uncomfortable underwear is not fun. Learned that lesson. The one pair that remains was a gift from the hubby in 2010. It is still like new, and crazy comfortable. So good quality items definitely are the key.

So is it 33 or 10 items that I will go with. Actually I think it will be close to 30, excluding (as the "rules" state) lounge wear, underwear, workout gear: that I currently need several because of the daily coaching sessions. And a couple of nicer dresses that I keep around for the weddings, embassy events etc that seem to be somewhat frequent.

This step took me a lot longer than I assumed it would. Actually identifying the clothes that I want and need. I actually had to think about the weather, and my life style as well as the style I want to portray. I think I am somewhere between fun and chic. I want to look like an adult: put together and polished to a certain extent but I also want to look 32 (soon 33) instead of 52. So finding the balance between fun, young, energetic and chic, polished, poised has been my challenge. BUT I finally feel like I have been able to identify the list of clothes that don't overwhelm me in quantity and options but also offer me enough variety to work with my different roles.

So without further rambling here you go, my updated minimalist wardrobe plan:

If you would go through your closet and choose just the clothes that you love, really truly love, how many would that amount up to? Could you live with just those? Do you think it would make you life easier or harder? 

I love the fact I can get dressed in seconds every morning, that everything (except those jeans) are super comfortable, and fit me perfectly. More variety? Maybe at some point, but for now I'm happy with my selection - or will be once it is complete.

resolutions

it's that time of the year again...

RESOLUTION

• IPA^(key): /ˌɹɛzəˈl(j)uːʃən/

1. A statement of intent, a vow

   By February, most New Year's resolutions are forgotten.   My resolution is to cut back on the fast food this year.

I usully don't make them. But for some reason this year I want to set some goals, if you like, to act as guide of 2015. I'm trying to avoid the normal ones, that actually do get forgotten by mid February, but let's see how it goes.

1. ONE FOR US

2014 was more about being together than any other year has been. I had no real responsibilities, but towards the end of the year things started taking over my time and I know that I have to dedicate some time from my calendar for family time so I won't forget. 

1 day every week (mostly Sunday but sometimes I might need to move it around) will be family time. The idea is to switch off devices and be together. Occasional movie night will be acceptable but it has to be for all of us not so that kids watch their own movie in the other room.

2. ONE FOR KIDS

1 hour every day. No tv, no phones, no emails no nothing. The first thing after I come home from work. Switch off and set the timer for 60 mins. Of course it can be longer too!!! But I guarantee time for them. 

3. ONE FOR YOU

It's crazy. Time just rushes by and you forget to take time for the relationship. So my next resolution will be for our relationship. One date per week. I feel like this is the thing that is always pushed aside when other stuff come up. Lunch, dinner, movie, a walk. A moment where we are just us. No talking about work!

4. ONE FOR MY SOUL

A call, an email, a Skype, a letter, a favor, or a kind gesture.. Something and someone once a week (again, would love to do more than one) to keep my soul in check. It's too easy to not keep in touch from afar. I have failed miserably with this in 2014. So my calendar gets another reminder of taking time for this.

5. ONE FOR MY BODY

My moment. 30 min/day Monday to Friday. Whether it is to exercise, meditate, stretch.. 6:05-6:35 is MINE. 

6. ONE FOR MY MIND

Yesterday Tonny asked me how fast can I read a book. Absentmindedly I replied easily one a day of its a good one. And then halted. I used to be able to do that, now my time is sucked by some more important things like Pinterest and Facebook. So as my last resolution switch off will apply to this too. If the iPad gets powered on after 7pm it is to catch up with some kindle time. I love to read. About anything. So reading will be re-instated into my life.

Over all theme seems to be..

Did you make a resolution?