Some people travel for rest and relaxation.
To soak up the sun,
see new sights
or simply to steep themselves in another culture.
I am a huge proponent of all of the above.
My traveling escapades, however, MUST include a few brain-filling awe-inspiring experiences. The World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon was all that and more but rather than a detailed description of the speakers I enjoyed and all that they inspired in me, I’m going to try a different approach. I’ll call them “Conscious Bites” and they may or may not include food. Are you ready?
Finding my way around new cities is always a challenge. I was not blessed with an innate sense of direction. My college friends promised they would leave me a spray paint trail so that I could find my way from one campus to the next when they saw how directionally challenged I truly was. The World Domination Summit in Portland should have been easy to navigate. I was in the company of a thousand individuals carrying the same gray backpack, wearing the same enthusiastic grin.
Not so.
Reluctant to tear myself away from the farmers market where I was mesmerized by Swiss chard, kale, ruby red tomatoes and artichokes the size of my head, I quickened my pace, map in hand, and pushed my way through a bustling crowd to attend my first breakout session.
I’m late. I despise being late. At conferences, I’m the person who shows up a half hour early to find the PERFECT seat.
In the front row.
I crawl over a sea of legs and some very large shoes and spill myself into an empty seat. Off comes the camera hanging over my arm. Off comes the handbag holding my essentials (chocolate and cash). Down goes the backpack housing freshly sharpened pencils and notebooks (Sue Ann staples) plus three books I was “called” to purchase at the author’s table. I glance at my schedule. I look at the speaker. There is a man speaking in front of the room. I’m scheduled to see two women. As if reading my mind, the gentleman sitting beside me gently takes the schedule from my hand, points to the workshop I find myself in and says, “I think you’ve landed in just the right place.”
“Minimalism is Changing the Entrepreneurial Landscape”
I glance at the pile of belongings at my feet and smile. Today I begin the practice of living more deliberately with less stuff. Care to join me?
18 thoughts on “Keep it Simple Sweetheart”
Must be in the air, Sue Ann! Have been pulling out STUFF from my closet and my altars. Cleaning up. Letting go. Clearing out. I laughed at the size of the suitcase I brought to Portland and how little of it I wore. Paying attention. I do have to admit sometimes it is just lack of time that I have more. Am beginning to figure out how to do it in the Tao! haha! Pick up and recycle as I move from room to room rather than collect and take so much time to deal with! So yes… I WILL join you! And let’s see what size suitcase I bring NEXT year!
Love that, Kathleen. I’m doing a little bit every day but I feel so much lighter each time I walk into my study—the greatest catch-all for my ideas, my studies AND my piles. I know I can do this! I’m amused at all I am learning about myself in the process—what I hang onto, what I let go of … what I hold closest to my heart. Can’t bear to part with ANY of my books. LOL Let’s check in from time to time and see how we’re doing shall we?
Sue Ann! I was thrilled, just delighted, to meet you in person. I couldn’t stop hugging you 🙂 And yes, minimalism (or my brand: intentionalism), is the only way to travel–whether at home or away.
Live deliberately, with intention (oh, and lots of chocolate)!
Absolutely, Shanna, and likewise on our in person meeting. You were with me in spirit even after you left as I ate my way through Portland with all of your suggestions tucked neatly in my little wds notebook. Loved those little notebooks—the perfect size for a pocket or pocketbook. (Just like the cluster canister!)
I keep threatening my household to pare them all down to what they can carry in a backpack. 🙂
Ha, ha, let me know how it goes, Rebecca. I think that’s why people look forward to the “empty nest” stage of their lives!
I’ll never be a minimalist but less is so much more. To be surrounded by only that which we love clears the way for life and friends and food and chocolate.
I don’t know that I will ever be able to claim the title “minimalist” but I do know that this process is freeing up a lot of space in my home and in my heart. Slowly, ever so slowly. . .
I love this post SueAnn, especially the last few lines, to be more deliberate with less. And am thinking of the “less” not in the literal realm, but the emotional as well.
Me too, Claire. I am my own worst offender in this area. It’s a work in progress, yes?
Sue Ann,
My friend’s daughter travels around the world and keeps a lovely blog. I love her post about what to pack and just used her tips on a recent trip, just took one carry-on piece of luggage. It changed my entire stay.
http://www.veganculinarycrusade.com/2012/02/my-thoroughly-tested-travel-tips.html
Okay, time to remove myself from the screen and let go of some stuff from my closet.
Thanks for the reminder!
xoxo
I loved that blog, Terry! Thank you for sharing.
Sue Ann, your freshly sharpened pencils and notebooks made me smile, as did your tale of finding yourself in the middle of a minimalist workshop! You ended up there because you were lingering over things you love. That’s not directional impairment, it’s living life to the fullest and embracing the present. We travel by the same map. 🙂
And in the same company. Imagine that!
Sue Ann – I treasured meeting you in Portland. What a special woman you are and I hope to stay connected through our B School alums tribe. Your chocolate clusters are a true winner. I look forward to seeing them one day as Oprah’s favorite thing! Hugs.
Our intimate “Babes” evening in your beautiful home, Sherold, was the highlight of my trip.
Great post and a great reminder. Minimalism is really what drives my business forward. I think how can I work from anywhere in the world? What are the essentials of my business? What’s the simpliest way to help the most people? I’d have loved to have heard this talk!
Yes, Tabitha! With each pile, drawer, and cupboard I de-clutter I am feeling a little lighter and whole lot more empowered. No more “spring cleaning” for me. It’s going to be a daily practice.