As I face the new year and reflect on years gone by, I find myself looking at who I am today and who I was before. I think about how different things are just from this time last year and how dramatically different from a few years ago. My family made a choice a few years ago to downsize. I didn’t necessarily come into this life skipping along with birds chirping on my shoulder, but I wasn’t kicking and screaming either.
Sometimes we can’t see where we’re going until we’ve gotten there, and even then it’s all about how we choose to see things. I feel like I stumbled into this life and found myself along the way.
While peeling off layers of excess and ridding my life of too much stuff, I have been able to find who I am. It’s amazing what it does for the soul to start living a life that works for me instead of what I feel is expected of me. I have also learned that often those expectations were all in my head. Veering off the beaten path, I’ve found that life is more beautiful than I would’ve known otherwise.
While shedding stuff through simplifying and downsizing, I found someone hidden inside me that I didn’t know was there. I didn’t know there was someone adventurous, inspiring, and creative. With words, with photos, with experiences – by having less, I am becoming more. I am more present in each and every moment with my friends and family. I appreciate more. I have found that there is so much more to me than what I own. I am allowing myself, for the first time, to simply be.
There are a lot of things still to be uncovered, I am sure. But so far, I can’t help but be happy with what I’ve found.
This post is part of Melissa at The Inspired Room’s Balancing Act: Finding a Beautiful Life. Check it out for more inspiration about finding beauty in the imperfect life you live right now.
What a lovely post, Emily! You’ve certainly shown your creative, adventurous, inspiring self on this blog!
It’s funny that, for me, going off into the world of freelancing helped me learn a lot about myself, but I’m happier now that I’m back at the 9 to 5. I think that’s because I’ve learned all its advantages!
Mrs. Micah´s last blog post..Nuru Personal Finance Cards: Review and Giveaway
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lovely thoughts and keep em coming in 2009 – cheers le
le´s last blog post..Jen Lancaster and the Lucky Charms
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I’ve also started to realise that who I’ve been over the past few years isn’t who I really am. Simplifying my life has shown me that but I need to remove a few more obstacles before I’m really able to live life MY way and not the way others believe it should be lived. I’m getting there though and it feels GOOD
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Thanks for sharing this Emily. What beautiful words. I found myself identifying with every word. When I decided to stop working and be a SAHM my life completely changed and I have found myself too. I’m so happy I chose to do with less.
Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog post..Snack In A Cone
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Isn’t this the real reason for living — to find our authentic self? I’m thrilled that you are in such a great place!
Middle Way´s last blog post..Habits and Appliances
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@MrsMicah – while searching and exploring different avenues, we’ll all come out finding something different that is right for us as individuals. The important part is knowing when we’ve found what’s authentic and it sounds like you’ve done just that.
@le – thank you!
@Sharon J – yes, it seems there will always be obstacles but it’s nice to know you’re on the right path, isn’t it?
@Nicki – wonderful! I love hearing about others that find themselves in their own unique ways.
@Middle Way – For sure. It’s a journey.
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Isn’t it a wonderful feeling to start finding yourself under all those layers we build up over the years? Some people never find it (or never bother to look), which is so sad. Great post!
David´s last blog post..Sunday Money Roundup – Home Again Edition.
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What a great post! And I love the title of your blog! I am glad you are happy with what you have uncovered in yourself!
Lorie´s last blog post..Stain Busters
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that’s awesome and I can so relate
Denise´s last blog post..there’s got to be more
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What a beautiful discovery – thank you for sharing your journey and experiences with us.
Alana @ Gray Matters´s last blog post..2008 Before & After Recap
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I have felt that way also- thanks for sharing your personal thoughts.
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That is a great discovery, Emily! I too have found I am a different person in the last few years than I thought I was. It feels great to finally be settling in to “me”! Great post. Thanks for sharing it!
Happy day,
Melissa
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I LOVE the advice to live a life that works for you and not the life that is expected! I do think that is the first step to a beautiful life! Great post, thanks for sharing your heart.
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This is beautiful, and inspiring! I need to restart my decluttering, even if it means giving the things I want to get rid of AWAY FOR FREE, rather than worry about selling on ebay or such.
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You know how people say that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger? I am living proof. For years and years, I would wonder what I ever did to deserve what I was going through.
Now that I am in a great place with a wonderful family…I realize that I am who I am today because of what I went through. That I wouldn’t appreciate the life I have now…if not for the hardship.
Connie @ Young and Relentless´s last blog post..I Did Something Right
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Love this post! Thank you for your words…
angelvalerie´s last blog post..Towards being me
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this is so true. i often feel so bogged down with stuff, and it’s so constricting. i’ve never wanted to try keeping up with the jones either. and, it’s good to look at the past sometimes and have a plan for the future. it’s not necessary to ALWAYS live in the now, because you need guidance too.
floreta´s last blog post..Organic
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It’s hard sometimes to get rid of that stuff we think is so important. I know there’s a more peaceful life at the end of it all, but it’s nice to hear there will be a better me without it all, too. Thanks for the inspiration!
christy´s last blog post..Chinese Pancakes and Pork Brain. YUM!
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Wow, I love this post. Can’t wait to read more in ’09.
-Cheers, Amy
Amy´s last blog post..Who am I
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You all are awsome ! I am just beginning down the path of down sizing.
I am in search of who I really am and am finding it to be a real struggle.Sometimes I feel just a shell of a man and I really need to break out to find what id really inside
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