Ilana Kohn Pogi pants | large
Beklina alpaca sweater from a couple years ago (sold out)
Birkenstock Boston clogs
Well, it seems as if finally – for now anyway – everything in my life is boiled down to what is most essential. I didn’t consciously set out to get here, but maybe I did? I just didn’t know it haha. I made a series of decisions that led me here, and today I realized how truly simple and wonderful my life really is.
The last months of 2020 I decided to stay mostly off of instagram, and deleted 99% of the marketing emails I receive (I literally get no emails anymore LOL) to avoid the temptation of more clothes and comparing myself to others.
Quitting slowre, for now, also simplified things. It mostly cleared away the anxiety I was feeling about keeping it going + caring for Hawk, but also freed up time for me to devote to things that are more meaningful to me right now, like cooking and cleaning. Seriously. Hawk sleeps for 2-2.5 hours in the afternoon and I am always baking/cooking something during that time, doing laundry, and tidying up/mopping/vacuuming.
It is VERY important to me to keep the house tidy and clean and I do it everyday for my own sanity. I also make everything Hawk eats, and since we’re vegan I bake things with beans in them, make yogurt from tofu, etc., to make sure he gets the right ratios of iron, protein, vitamin c to help absorb the iron, and b12. Whew. That’s a part-time job itself. But it’s also really important to me.
As for getting dressed, it’s all down to what is comfortable and warm these days. And what fits. This sweater I’m wearing doesn’t technically fit very well, but it is warm and mostly fits. I don’t know what I was thinking wearing a light color though. I did manage to make it through breakfast, which was smoothie, frozen raspberries and oatmeal without getting anything on it, but then as we were going up the stairs for his nap Hawk fell against the stair, split his lip and got blood on my shoulder. I’m not worried about the sweater, it will either come out or it won’t – I don’t wear anything too precious to get dirty…
And that’s that. My world is rather small lately, as is everyone’s, and I can’t say I’m unhappy about it. It is full of what is most important, Hawk. And the rest of my family, obviously 😉
How are you? How were your holidays?
And thank you. Thank you for reading, thank you for being you. Thank you.
I was so happy to read this update! Thank you Grechen! Im glad you’re well and enjoying the things that are most important to you.
For some reason, I didn’t realize you were vegan! I am not, but I am trying to eat more plant-based meals. I don’t see a lot of vegan bloggers/social media people talk about achieving the right balance of vitamins and nutrients and the attention that goes into that. If it’s ever something you’re up for writing about, I’d love to hear it.
Happy new year <3
Sounds like you’ve got your priorities in line with the way you want to live your life. We should all be in such a good place!
We had a very quiet Christmas, with just the two of us celebrating for the first time in 38 years. Online worship services and lots of food, so I’ve got nothing to complain about!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Grechen! (a very meaningful wish at this point) – Always happy to read what you write.
thanks kate! I’m happy to write more about that. honestly, before hawk i didn’t know much about it either, but raising a vegan child is a whole other level…it’s not hard, and i wouldn’t do it any other way, but it’s important to make sure he gets everything he needs. incidentally, i think it’s overlooked how important that is for EVERY child, even meat-dairy-egg- eaters…getting a good variety of foods isn’t always easy, and if you’re not, you’re potentially missing out on essential nutrients…
Happy New Year (let’s all hope!!) Thank YOU for writing. I love reading your blog.
I always look forward to your updates. And honestly, you are a style inspiration to me. I like to look down to earth but everything has to have the right *shape*, and you totally get that. You have helped me feel like less of a misfit style wise, considering I live in a *ahem* very unfashionable town…hah.
Thank you — and happy new year 🙂
I rarely comment here (though I’ve been reading for years), but the simplicity you describe is lovely. Intentional or not, I’m happy that you’re enjoying it. Also, a simple and effective way to get blood off fabric is…spit! I’ve used this many a time throughout my life, especially now that I have injury prone dogs. It never fails to erase any hint of stain. Whether you use it or not in this instance, I hope it helps if you need to clean blood off anything else!