After the last video, I really took some time to reflect on not only where my YouTube channel is going, but to also take stock of the undone tasks that have been cluttering my mind; those “to-do’s” and “wish-I-could-do’s” that have been stagnant in the far recesses of my life, gathering dust and waiting for a moment of weakness. In that moment, some random appliance will spring out with a “Surprise, lady! Just when you thought you were in the clear, I’m going to break because you didn’t properly clean or maintain me as clearly indicated on the warranty card you threw out last week – ha!“.
I mean, the fact that my appliances scream at me in the first place is completely unreasonable. Maybe next time it will be a body part. The knee, instead (“shoulda stretched more, like I tried to tell you eighty thousand eleven times” my lateral collateral would scoff at me, as I wince and hobble around).
Don’t wait until a friend blows out a joint (in the painful way, not the medicinal way), before you get your own health under control.
Health also means MENTAL health. Your sanity. The thing that keeps you from going off the deep end.
Because, just when we think we aren’t doing enough and deserve a break – not a chance. There’s stuff to PREPARE for! To PREVENT! (So go clean those washing machine seals, and your toilet siphons – if you don’t know what that means, neither did I until I started watching ridiculous mommy cleaning channels like @bitsofbri (Brianna K on YouTube).
Bri also has awesome hack like toilet paper stamping – good for those who might have to display their inventory as part of their home decor due to space constraints. So basically go watch her channel, not mine!
So, how do we stay sane and try to manage it all?
Well, maybe we can’t. Maybe we embrace insanity!
Really, though. Maybe there’s a way to get more hours in the day without getting up earlier or staying up later. Because without sleep and water, you’re as good as worthless, IMHO.
PRODUCTIVITY. Aha! That’s where it’s at, for me. That or exercise.
For you, it might mean a day at the spa. Do you, and do it with conviction.
This week I’m rolling up my sleeves and digging into everything “icky”. The clutter. The negativity. All the things that don’t feel good.
Emotions. Yard-sale leftovers. The list goes on.
So bear with me as this channel takes yet another twist and turn. I think the resounding theme has continued to be:
Hang on for the ride, you never know what’s about to happen but at least we can be prepared. In theory.
MommaAMommaB
If you’ve been following our YouTube channel, maybe you’ve seen some of our product unboxing and tutorials. While these have been so fun to make, and we’ve actually come across some amazing items we use all the time (like the cheapie handheld vacuum below, not sponsored), we also come across items that are interesting or useful – for someone else.
Most things we have managed to give to friends and family, with great pleasure. And some items have been resold or donated. Nothing has been trashed…
…except the alarming quantity of packaging that Amazon provides. Much of it non-recyclable or from overseas, which when compounded by millions of shoppers each year, takes a huge toll on our environment.
As items began to stack up, I am constantly forced to deal with it in some way: sort it, find a home for it, donate it. Which feels lovely when you get a smile and thank-you from the recipient, but not so lovely knowing the ecological impact as I wait for another package to arrive – most likely containing something neat, no doubt. But not necessary.
I have decided from this point, the only collabs we will be doing is with companies we truly value – regardless of how cool or trendy the item might be. I simply can’t handle the amount of waste, and I want to be a more responsible steward of this planet. Yes, this might mean we have to save up for more thoughtful purchases and it might mean I have to severely cut back my Target Dollar Spot purchases.
Wait. Now THAT’S crazy.
Still, I am trying to focus on the following before buying:
How will our lives benefit (or not) from this purchase?
Is there a more satisfying alternative?
Do we need it?
What sort of cleanses and purges are you up to this month? This week? Today?
What can you declutter – in your home or mind?
Until then,
B
