7

It is (almost) complete… Remember my book list… I sort of saved the best for last.  Sadly, I had to return Zero Waste Home mid-read because I couldn’t finish it.  Man, would this last book have been a good one to end on.

7

By:  Jen Hatmaker

Let me just preface by saying I plan to read the rest of her books to.  Not only did this message really hit home (you remember my cleaning phase from yesterday), but she is FUNNY.  In the kind of funny that I like.  Sarcastic, witty humor.  Not appreciated by all but WHOLLY appreciated by me. 

So the concept of the book.  For one month, Jen tackles each of her seven vices (let’s be honest… they are the vices of us all)!

1.       Clothes

2.       Shopping

3.       Waste

4.       Food

5.       Possessions

6.       Media

7.       Stress

Within each month, she has a subset of “rules” she is going to abide by.  She has a Council that helps her if she feels the need to break a rule-they vote yes/no.  Let’s be honest, if I had a Council I’d be telling them to “Beep off” by the first week.  Ask my husband.

Month One:  Food

Live on seven foods for a month.  A month!  SEVEN FOODS.  WHAT?!?  So what are these magical foods you ask?

Chicken, eggs, whole-wheat bread, sweet potatoes, spinach, avocados and apples

Salt, pepper, and olive oil deemed acceptable

Could I do it?  I think I could.  I’d do good for a week…. A month.  Yeesh.

Month Two:  Clothes

Where seven items of clothing for a month.  Seven.  Only seven.  Still can’t wrap my head around it.   

Her choices:  one pair of jeans, one long sleeve black shirt, one short sleeve black “Haiti relief” t-shirt, one short sleeve gray “Mellow Johnny’s bike shop” t-shirt, one pair of drawstring knit Capri pants, one long silk dark brown dress shirt and shoes (boots and tennis shoes only).

What seven items would I pick…. Black dress pants, white/black dress shirt, blue jeans, running shorts, black Under Armour t-shirt, pink Nike running long sleeve shirt (I fool myself into thinking this could be dressed up), and shoes (black dress shoes and running shoes… gun to my head, I have to pick to make it a real “7”, running shoes- ha!” 

Just so ya’ll know, I would stink.

Month Three: Possessions

My favorite chapter, and probably the one my husband enjoyed me reading the most too since we are finally getting rid of crap.  For one month, she gives away 7 items she owns every day.  I decided to take this a step further and pick one AREA to clean up- I aim for 7 items but let’s be honest—some areas I get more, some less (there wasn’t a single item in my pot and pan drawer to give up… we use them all).  I meant to break up my kitchen across two weeks but I actually ended up doing it all in one day…. Once I started, I couldn’t stop.  Plus we are gone for the weekend and I figured I’d forget a few days, so there you go.

Here is my progress:

Sorting To do

Mikes closet

Hall closet 

Bathroom cupboard

Bathroom drawers

Bathroom mirror 

Kayla closet

Sheds- red and plastic

Garage

Basement entertainment center

Laundry room 

Attic

Office 

Put Lucas' baby stuff in one box 

Done

Fridge/freezer 

Kitchen cupboards

Shoe cupboard

Nightstand drawer 

Bedroom closet

Lucas' room 

I’ve been meaning to do this since this summer when I cleaned out my closet/attic of the following objects

The sad thing is, I have more that I want to clean out not even two months later with my new attitude.

We have TOO MUCH CRAP.  And I will buy MORE crap.  But hopefully with a better frame of mind (especially since last month’s budget meeting).

Month Four:  Media

No TV, Gaming, Facebook/Twitter, iPhone apps, Radio, Texting/Internet (unless it was work related)

I say I’d die but let’s be honest, it’d probably be the best thing that ever happened to me.  I have attempted to limit myself to only checking Facebook/Instagram twice a day. 

Month Five: Waste

Gardening, composting, conserving energy and water, recycling, driving only one car, shopping thrift and second-hand, buying only local… these are the goals of the month.

I look forward to putting in a garden next summer when Lucas can help.  I’m not composting-sorry Planet.  I already try to conserve energy, water and recycle.  One car isn’t feasible as I can’t drive Mike’s police car- ha!  Shopping thrift/second hand.. I’m getting there slowly with Lucas’ clothes/toys.  And buying only local…does Sioux Falls count?

Month Six: Spending

Ha, should have read this book in July!  She picks 7 stores she is spending her money on.  And to be honest, I don’t think that would be hard for me because I think we already spend it at less places- Target, Hy-Vee, Kohl’s, Amazon, Glen’s Gas, Casey’s…. those are the main offenders.  The occasional outing to another store throughout the month, but I could do it. 

Month Seven: Stress

That sounds nice… decrease stress… I had a co-worker ask me if I spent the night at work because I worked late, got here early.  Nope.  Just already in the throes of my job.

Jen tackles this by celebrating the Sabbath as an actual day of rest (something to think about) and praying 7 times a day.  I like it.  I might take that challenge (although one prayer time was midnight…no thank you). 

This was just one of those books that SPOKE to me and her writing style made it even more enjoyable to read- highly recommend it, especially if you are in that place in your life where you just want to downsize all the extras!

Happy Labor Day weekend!