Solitude. Sheer Solitude. I'm home alone this week for the first time in nearly 14 years and I am loving it! This solitude certainly doesn't happen often. But, my oldest daughter @prettydecent has officially moved to NYC and my youngest daughter is off on a mission trip with our church youth group. So, here I am - officially off of work from teaching for a week of spring break and also off of parenting, for the first time in over a decade. Double score.

It has been a very relaxing week. Being a single mom affords me the luxury of having my home completely to myself when the kids are away. This week, I've slept in some and taken a few naps. I've also taken some leisurely strolls with the dog. I even ordered take out for dinner. No dishes, just styrofoam. Ooh lala. Oh, and I have consumed lots of Netflix. Perhaps too much, I admit.

One show I watched the first night is called 'Minimalism'. If you haven't checked it out, you should.

I really enjoyed the program, especially the concept of limiting myself to less. In a sense, I have already started to cut back my belongings. A few years back, I scrap-booked a whole bunch to consolidate the huge boxes of memories I had collected from the children sporting, drama, school, church, you name it, I saved it event. The organizing of the memories definitely started me down my own personal journey towards minimalism. Watching this documentary gave me just the validation I needed to get busy during this spring break of solitude.

And, so I've done a ton of cleaning this week. Since I divorced last summer, there were a few closets that needed serious attention. I washed my ex out to the tune of eleven hefty garbage bags. It was time. I also minimized my daughter's closet. She had sorted through her donations before she left, so I boxed them up with some of my clothes and dropped it all off at Goodwill up the street. The process only took an hour or so, but boy the benefit was immense. Our little apartment isn't generous on storage so any cutting back is a huge difference. I never realized just how much junk we accumulate in life.

I do have many items that I hold dear and would never consider minimizing. I think we all do. That's kind of the point. By going through everything, and identifying what is important to keep and what we can let go, we become aware of not just our trash - but also our treasure.

Treasure your treasures. Minimize the rest. That's my motto this spring break of solitude.

Here are a few How To ideas to minimize your life:

1. If you haven't worn it in a year, donate it.
2. Pick a junk drawer, empty it and organize each item into a new location or trash it.
3. Empty your closet entirely and use plastic bins from the dollar store to reorganize.
4. Take lots of breaks.
5. Make lists and reward yourself for each completed task.
6. Do some research on minimalism. I found lots of ideas.

Good luck!! I hope everyone enjoys their spring cleaning as much as I do! It is certainly getting me through my week of solitude and helping me to feel more focused and organized. Give it a try!

Many blessings!