Seeking simplicity. It sounds nice, doesn’t it? But boy, it isn’t easy! Come up with a plan, step out to follow it and wham! Chaos arrives. Every. Single. Time.

I want simplicity. I crave it. I want an organized, decluttered home. But more than that I crave the freedom that simplicity brings. The freedom of not having to clean as often or having to worry what friends will think when they come over and see the piles of stuff sitting around because I don’t know where to put all this crap that we’ve accumulated over the years. I donate and declutter and then I declutter some more…but it always comes back to the piles. Of crap.

I long for a break from rampant consumerism. To break from the syndrome of “I want that!” and then running out and buying it. I’m a coupon queen and I know how to get a great deal–but the better deal would be not to buy it in the first place. I am pretty good at not buying things just to buy something, but we still have way more than we could ever possibly use in our home. It’s the American way, isn’t it? Bigger and better homes filled with more and more crap.

This is where this blog comes in. I am setting up a series of challenges for myself that I have found from bloggers who have already conquered the chaos monster–and I’m inviting you in to both participate and to hold me accountable. I’m going to do one large simplicity challenge each month, and then one small one each week. The challenges will range from decluttering challenges, to challenges to slow down and enjoy the good things in life.

I will start and post the first monthly challenge tomorrow–simplify your closet. I invite you to consider joining me. Jump in where you can. Do what you can and leave the rest behind. And if I start slacking, kick me in the behind, will ya? I’ll appreciate it more than you’ll know. Because without you guys encouraging me and sharing your own stories of the chaos monster, I won’t make it through!