Just a thought about patience.

Sean and I are generally patient people. This comes in handy in many social interactions; slow service in a restaurant, a rude check-out person, an angry mob... really anywhere. We're usually able to sit back, feel slightly uncomfortable yet move on and most importantly, laugh about it later. I would never send food back for fear someone would spit in it. I would never complain loudly in public -- it's just not me. Plus, I always think "kill'em with kindness". If you're rude, loud and obnoxious... you're probably less likely to get what you want. It's just like kindergarten. Just because you're the loudest, doesn't make you right... or first in line.

I think about patience a lot. I thought about it a few days ago when the woman behind the counter at the grocery store was impatiently tapping her nails at a friend and me figuring out how to split a bill (it seriously took 7 seconds). I thought about it when my mom came out of the bank yesterday telling me about a man who was screaming at the teller because she asked for two forms of ID (it's most likely her job). And I thought about it last week when I had to call our insurance company to ask if they actually expected us to pay a bill for $800+ when they only gave us 4 days to come up with the money (by the way, they did in fact expect payment).

There are a lot of situations that I could benefit from having more patience; like when I ask Sean to do something for me when he's clearly busy doing something else, or while I'm driving in traffic. There are a lot of things I want to do; like travel, or pay off debt, or save money, or have a baby (by the way, is there really a way to do all four of those things? I feel like the answer is no...), but I know that all those things can't happen immediately -- I have to wait.

I know that when I want to achieve something in life or when I need someone's help with something -- or I'm waiting on someone to get back to me, or I'm trying to get answers to something confusing or stressful -- I have to remind myself... it all takes time. 

I'd much rather wait with a positive outlook than an angry attitude... but that's just me.

Thoughts: 30 days without accessories.

Around June 1st, I participated in a 30-day challenge that included stashing away all of our home accessories. Pretty much anything on a counter top or a bookshelf was stored in our second bedroom, a sort of "out of sight, out of mind" mentality to show how much stuff one has yet doesn't use -- thus doesn't miss when it's gone.

So, my thoughts on this little adventure?

Out of sight, out of mind? That didn't really work. All of my things taunted me for 30 days from the second bedroom. I guess I could have closed the door -- but the cats really enjoyed the mess (read: they like sleeping among the vases and inside all the empty baskets). I found myself in that room, more than usual, looking at all the stuff that I just don't use. I purged, and sorted, and cleaned constantly. Putting all non-essentials in one place makes me really realize how much stuff I have. And it was overwhelming.

Tossing personal preference aside? I missed our scrapbooks and our framed pictures. They add life and personality to our apartment and they make me smile when I look at them. I missed our framed wedding pictures from our bedside table and I missed the cute little trinkets Sean buys for me (like the message in a bottle he gave me for our first wedding anniversary).

I can do without. I don't think of myself as sentimental. I can toss things aside with the best of them. I do feel strongly about things (pictures, knick-knacks) that are reminders of my marriage. But other things? --baskets, candles, vases, throw pillows, etc. I didn't miss them one bit. In fact, I tried to sell them half way through the month at our town yard sale. 

Any permanent changes?

I haven't really decided. I like the open space; it requires less dusting. I enjoy the look and feel of our apartment; it has that simple and clean thing going for it. It's less stuff for the cats to try and knock over. 

Over all, it's been a good run -- and I'm not ready to make another change quite yet.