now & how: new digs, new days

there’s a reason every magazine cover includes the words “how to” in large white font somewhere ’round the airbrushed mid-section of the featured model. for every little thing we need/want/are obligated to do in a day, there are 10 million ways to do it. some of them take less time, are better for us, or make our butts look most attractive. the middle spot, where the balance of worth it and tricking the system is struck, that’s magazine gold, and we’re all digging for it.

i’m always panning for that perfection, not to reach an unrealistic ideal, but to simply grease the wheels of the moments of my life to leave as much space as possible for the good, the fulfilling, and the worthwhile. where process meets routine meets efficiency, that’s my jam. setting the coffee pot the night before so i can hit a button in the morning. scheduling myself 30 minutes to sit-and-veg so i can actually clear my mind. finding little pockets of what works for me.

i thought, maybe, when i find something worthwhile. i’d share it with the people i love . . .

And… and much as it grieves me to say it, it… it might be that the people I love is, in fact… you.

here’s what’s working for me: now & how.

i’ve always been a settler.

regardless of the transition at hand – moving bedrooms, into a dorm, my first apartment or a third story walk-up – i can’t rest until i’m settled. while roommates throughout the years have been content to leave half-unpacked boxes for the weekend, i’m unpacked and making brownies in a pan i pulled from its new rightful spot by night one.

my space is such a trigger for my mood and hope for peace that i can’t wait to get it situated just so.

this week, my settling instincts took charge of a less-than-ideal, less-than-updated, less-than-welcoming apartment back in on-campus housing. i expected the uniform, light wood furniture, and the white-white walls, and sterile atmosphere. i knew that was coming. what i didn’t expect was the oxblood carpet (not so posh, really) and mauve pink couch, the handicap shower complete with chair, and the single drawer in the kitchen. one drawer. for all the dying-to-be-drawered things.

with only a weekend to make it work, here’s what we found to give the living space a bit of personality and functionality:

• rugs: keep eye-sore (and foot-sore) carpet at bay, set the tone for a colorful, comfortable space.
• pillows: bring the mauvey-less couch into this century by adding dimension to the pink and the white, white walls.
• wall-love: this clock from target has a retro feel & $6 price tag i love, and matches the wood of all the campus furniture. every other wall in the place is covered in art – from my favorite curators 20 x 200, gifts from friends to remind us of past homes, and talented artists like this guy. everywhere you look, something you love . . . that feels like home.

settlement established. this works for now.

in addition to the new digs, i’ve put some new routines into my days here on the west coast. i’m still working on central time, so i rise early and work until 3, then get in my run, writing, or errands before it’s time for dinner. i’ll admit i’ve been a little sleepy and bed-headed these first few days, but i have high-hopes that this upside down schedule might be my gold nugget for this season.

it works for now. . . especially when i remember to set the coffee maker the night before.

what’s working for you these days?

i’d love it if you’d share your gold.